Grand Theft Auto
Going into this weekend, there were many things I wanted to blog about. Then, Carla gave me GTA:Vice City to me as an anniversary present and that's what I did all weekend. Sure, I did a few other things but for the most part I have been causing all sorts of mayhem in the city of Vice.

The game is amazing. Sure, it's sick and twisted. It's rated Mature for a reason. The thing that is truly amazing about it is how huge the city is. The game is easily twice as big as Grand Theft Auto 3 and once again you have full freedom to go almost everwhere and do what you want. You can advance through the story and complete missions or just steal a car and drive like a maniac. I've been having fun seeing what insane stunts I can pull off on a motorcycle.

Video Game Violence
GTA3 and GTA:VC are the only two games I have ever really found questionable. Sure, I understand the argument that video game violence in general leads to violence. There is certainly reason to argue that. However, video games are only a small part of the violence in today's world and most video games star heroes fighting against evil and in that regard are no worse than fairy tales.

However, the GTA games allow the player to take control of a thug. He's not trying to save the world or anything. He's just a criminal trying to make money. This is no mythic struggle of good fighting evil. This is the exact opposite.

Like The Sopranos and other mafia stories, these games are reflecting the darker side of reality and it isn't a pretty sight. Like The Sopranos, GTA is meant for adults but it is a sad situation in the world today that parents may buy these games for their children. Children shouldn't be watching mafia movies and they certainly should not be let anywhere near the GTA games.

If these games are so horrible, why am I enjoying them? It's the freedom and the sense of exploration. GTA:VC has everything that I enjoy in a good video game. It has a large world with lots to discover, an interesting plot and challenging gameplay. It is a video game marvel.

The games are fun. They are also every bit as bas as you heard. That's why parents need to pay attention to what their kids are playing. Censorship is wrong. The game should not be banned. However, adults do need to be aware. Video Games aren't always for kids.