Alex Schuh

Grand Theft Auto:San Andreas

Promotion of Violence orFantasy Outlet

Alex Schuh

Brief GTA History

• Developed by Rockstar North then DMA Design– First GTA game released in 1997 for

PlayStation and PC• Series is comprised of 3 games with a

fourth in the making– GTA 3 has 5 subset games including San

Andreas

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Basic Plot of GTA:SA

• Play as CJ– Play through missions to re-establish

families power– Open ended play

• Do what you want when you want• Have to play through missions to unlock map

– Take out former gang members who try to start their own gang

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Plot (cont.)

• Turf Wars– Each gang has a turf that can be fought for

and won• Turf can change constantly

• Side Missions– Increase skills or force an increase in skills– Add to replay value

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Sinner or Saint?

• Breaks laws to do good (vigilante)– Fights against drugs– Fights crooked cops– Wants to rebuild neighborhood

• Can be arrested – 6 stars and you have to deal with the army!!

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Gangsta or Gangster?

• Creates stereotypical facade– Slang, homies, drugs, bouncing cars,hoes,

etc.• Expected to live like a “hood”

– Unlawful actions boost respect– Fellow gang members are unorganized

• Some other gangs use strategy

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More on the Thug life

• Demeans women– Girlfriends can be treated badly– Option to become a pimp

• Theft is required– Steal cars to get around

• Clothing– Wear the items that get the most respect

and have most sex appeal

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Why is it fun?

• Allows gamer to do things they can't in real world– Like superhero games

• Freedom– Can do whatever you want(with the help of

cheats)• No consequences...

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Or are there?

• Can the game have an effect in the real world?– Desire to steal a car, rob somebody, or even

kill• GTA has real world possibilities

– Superhero games don't

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Personal Choice

• Consumers choose to purchase this game(and others like it)

• There is no proof that it causes violence• Could argue that it an effective way to

funnel antisocial behavior– Steal cars in game world, instead of in real

world

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Controversy

• Since the release of the original, GTA has been a constant in the talks of video game violence

• GTA: SA was actually recalled for a short period of time

• Has had negative effect on Rockstar North

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Controversy (cont.)

• Rockstar North now has reputation for releasing violent, antisocial games– Example : Bully

• GTA ranks in the top of most violent games along with Mortal Kombat and Doom

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Coffee Anyone?

• Google “Hot Coffee”• Was part of original program

– Removed when released but remained in code

• Allowed users to hack game and see sexually explicit content– I.E. CJ getting it on with a lady friend

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More Hot Coffee

• This “mod” has caused the most controversy in any GTA to date– GTA:SA was pulled of shelves and re-rated

A.O., the first in the series to receive that rating

• The game was later re-released with the hot coffee mod taken out

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What can be better?

• A way to change the ending based on actions in the game

• Less stereotyping • Legal ways to accomplish goals

– Ability to do everything illegally• Steal clothes instead of having to buy them• Mug people on the streets

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Conclusion

• San Andreas was a great step towards open ended gaming– It allows the “other” side of the “law” to be

explored• Took a chance by being controversial• Created new possibilities in gaming

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Sources• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

Grand_Theft_Auto_%28series%29• http://www.google.com/search?

hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=hot+coffee• http://www.rockstargames.com/

sanandreas/• a