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[BiGBoSSMk23]

I recently got GTAV for PS4 and upon playing it again, the game is incredible. The context, though? What the fuck were they doing?

It's amazingly orchestrated, even if it is an example of "videogames emulating films", because it marries both mediums masterfully. Still, you'd think a company with that much brand power would find themselves obligated to exercise that influence more responsibly.

Why am I playing as the guy that holds a woman hostage against a battalion of state troopers after blowing up a bank?

I get they still consider their games to be about "harmless caricatures" in a fantasy satirical world, but if you're gonna go through the trouble of having this Hollywood-esque production in your intro and the story's set up, then it begs the question of "why not bring the context you provide up to the same level?".

I'm merely whining about characters and story here. The world is beautifully constructed and the game is a monster. It's incredible, mechanically. But they really dropped the ball with characters and storytelling.

I don't have an answer as to how to make a story within a sandbox game compelling. But there have to be better ways to get the player invested in all of the game's brilliantly crafted mechanics than what they provided.

I kept thinking Heat or End of Watch as I played the intro, but then it hit me: this is just a crazy kid's fantasy.

Anyone else feel this way?

 

[Ganzlinger]

If the game is rated for a mature audience I don't think they should.

 

[Krejlooc]

I don't consider the games they make to be irresponsible. DIscerning what content is and isn't acceptable is on the onus of the consumer, not the content producer.

 

[MCN]

It's just a bloody game.

 

[FF Seraphim]

Responsible for what? They inform people what kind of game they are making and they do not hide what the game actually is. People who do not do research before purchasing such games need to be more responsible with their purchases.

 

[Trigonometrize.]

They're not really obligated to do anything except have their games that they sell work.

 

[Shaanyboi]

They should make whatever they want. It's a videogame.

That said, I find most Rockstar games filled with fucking shitty characters, all of whom I'd rather see with a bullet in their head than play as them or do favors for. So i just don't play them.

 

[ChawlieTheFair]

No, game is rated M for a reason.

Edit: Most "mature" people should be able to seperate reality from fantasy, Rockstar shouldn't be held responsible for those that can't. As for kids, that's a parent decision.

 

[pa22word]

I put the game down and never played it again after the

Spoiler

torture scene.

. I mean at the point you do something that over the top that badly, and then have to spend five minuets after the fact explaining to the player what the point of it all was, you probably are a shitty writer. And given the subject, handling it that badly was grossly offensive.

 

[Mauricio_Magus]

They should be free to do whatever the fuck they want, anything against that is censorship.

 

[BigTnaples]

No. What Rockstar is doing now is fine.

 

[SRTtoZ]

Nope, let them do their thing. If people don't like it, they can choose not to buy it but i'd rather not tell a company what to do with their ideas. Also, it sold boatloads, so it looks like most people enjoy the craziness of GTA. No one should ever take it seriously. I'm highly addicted to this game right now.

 

[Nafai1123]

Granted, I'm only about 40% through the game at this point, but I honestly don't see a problem with the characters so far. I'll reassess when I finish the story.

 

[BosSin]

I find the characters and story to be ok, better than quite a lot of trash out there.

 

[llehuty]

Doesn't look like the appropiate title for this thread... people are going to answer just to the title alone. I agree with the OP, there should be better storytelling in this type of "cinematic" games.

 

[ProtomanNeo]

They seemed to be more concerned with spectacle, and shock value than actual story. Which is is fine, they're are giving their audience what it believes they want. That said, I myself grew out the series long ago. With Vice City marking the high the point.

 

[MCN]

What do you want, a Demolition Man-style future of insipid banality and fake nicety?

 

[CypherSignal]

With their popularity, in general but especially for their younger audience, I would submit that they absolutely have a moral responsibility to create more mature content, or humour that does not "punch down". Plus, it's far easier to distinguish between "fantasy" and "reality", than it is between "satire" and "non-satire", and people can easily misinterpret, or be influenced by, elements that are supposed to be satirical as not.

 

[mrqs]

They are artists, for god's sake. They do whatever they whant. The GTA franchise has always been violent and M Rated, why they would change that?

They're responsible to make great quality games, not to do what you think it's right.

 

[Lethe82]

no, and they aren't being irresponsible to begin with. Your post is kind of alluding to the whole 'video games cause violence' thing and that has been thoroughly debunked.

 

[NealMcCauley]

The game is called Grand Theft Auto, not Happy Sparkling Funtime.

 

[pa22word]

They seemed to be more concerned with spectacle, and shock value than actual story. Which is is fine, they're are giving their audience what it believes they want. That said, I myself grew out the series long ago. With Vice City marking the high the point.

Agreed on all counts. Which is pretty unsurprising considering I was like 13 when I first played VC. If it came out today I'd probably find it just as gross and offensive as GTAV.

 

[IndoAssassin]

They should make whatever they want. It's a videogame.

That said, I find most Rockstar games filled with fucking shitty characters, all of whom I'd rather see with a bullet in their head than play as them or do favors for. So i just don't play them.

Would you really shoot Lamar?

 

[Maximus.]

No Rockstar does not need to be responsible. Their games have been designed and marketed to be a certain way. Just because they are capable of making amazing worlds and games, does not mean that they all of a sudden have to be conservative with story elements or character styles. Some characters and writing are cheesy or annoying, but overall I like the feel and tone of each game and story. People complaining about aspects of the game should know what they are getting themselves into, since the series has been around for a long time now.

 

[darthbob]

 

[The Freeman]

What do you want, a Demolition Man-style future of insipid banality and fake nicety?

You are fined one credit for that post.

 

[baphomet]

Absolutely not.

 

[SerTapTap]

They seemed to be more concerned with spectacle, and shock value than actual story. Which is is fine, they're are giving their audience what it believes they want. That said, I myself grew out the series long ago. With Vice City marking the high the point.

SA had the best protagonist though, CJ was great

 

[Jezbollah]

Hi OP.

Try playing Postal.

 

[sflufan]

No.

Their audience or their parents should be more responsible.

 

[MrNyarlathotep]

They are artists, for god's sake.

Come on.

 

[SRTtoZ]

You are fined one credit for that post.

He doesn't know how to use the three seashells.

 

[MCN]

You are fined one credit for that post.

Ah good, I could never figure out the seashells.

EDIT: Beaten

 

[Marvel]

Gotta be kidding me...

 

[SomedayTheFire]

It's a satire of American culture as seen by outsiders. It does a great job at that.

 

[leazo]

That game is hardly rockstars worst offence aside from things like the torture scene. They are dangerously close to the border for what is acceptable but their games are rated for an adult audience as well. Its not Rockstars fault if kids play it anyhow and they should not be held responsible for that.

I'm a slightly older guy but I remember that studio having titles like Manhunt under their belt and the controversy surrounding it back in 2003, which did take things a tad far.

 

[Morrigan Stark]

They are artists, for god's sake.

Such artistic vision from GTA, indeed.


I'd argue that they're business execs trying to appeal to the focus-tested groups and lowest common denominator to make the most $$$ possible, rather than artists, but maybe I'm too cynical...

 

[BobbyRobby]

I think they are being responsible by providing an outlet to do fucked up things virtually.

 

[Lethe82]

Such artistic vision from GTA, indeed.


I'd argue that they're business execs trying to appeal to the focus-tested groups and lowest common denominator to make the most $$$ possible, rather than artists, but maybe I'm too cynical...

You really are, say what you will about content, but there is actual artistic vision in GTA games and they aren't afraid to do try things that people might not like, there have beem a lot of examples of them saying 'fuck focus testing' throughout GTA.

]They seemed to be more concerned with spectacle, and shock value than actual story.[/B] Which is is fine, they're are giving their audience what it believes they want. That said, I myself grew out the series long ago. With Vice City marking the high the point.

GTA V (though it lost the plot for a while, but what can you do...) was much more restrained and people complained that it was boring.

 

[pa22word]

Honestly the closest comparison to another medium I find for gta is the movie Caligula by penthouse.

 

[theSlacker]

SA had the best protagonist though, CJ was great

SA was the best GTA, but CJ ended up being just a gofer with no real control imo.

 

[ChawlieTheFair]

Come on.

Such artistic vision from GTA, indeed.


I'd argue that they're business execs trying to appeal to the focus-tested groups and lowest common denominator to make the most $$$ possible, rather than artists, but maybe I'm too cynical...

Just cause they are making boatloads of cash doesn't mean it isn't art. GTA is quite the technical marvel and at least the dialoge isn't trash.

 

[MormaPope]

Come on.

"Only games I like can be considered art."

Just cause they are making boatloads of cash doesn't mean it isn't art. GTA is quite the technical marvel and at least the dialoge isn't trash.

You've done it now, not detesting the writing and dialog in a GTA title is like using a bullhorn to summon seething people.

 

[xxracerxx]

Why am I watching the Terminator fuck people up?

Why am I reading about Edmond Dantes getting revenge on the people that wronged him?

 

[BibiMaghoo]

They are being responsible by doing exactly what they do. Toning things down for political reasons is irresponsible.

 

[Josh5890]

They made the game. It is their piece of artwork.

 

[MDSLKTR]

Come on.

Back at you, it's a work of art. No game can touch the work that went into it, none.

 

[border]

Are you saying the story needs to be better or it needs to be less controversial in terms of its depiction of violence?

 

[John Kowalski]

Fuck yes they should. For all the cinematic influences that one can easily discern in their games they almost always lack the artistry, depth and the sheer human element of the films which inspire their games.

Come on.

They are artists, but it's disingenuous and frankly childish to believe that artists are any less beholden to the themes of their works than anyone else.

 

[StoOgE]

no, and they aren't being irresponsible to begin with. Your post is kind of alluding to the whole 'video games cause violence' thing and that has been thoroughly debunked.

Has it now?

Got a source on that?