Grand Theft Auto IV: 11 Things Parents Should Know

Few games are likely to be as popular, or as scrutinized as Grand Theft Auto IV, when it is released on April 29. Certain to be one of the biggest pop culture events of the year, it’s more than likely that tweens and teens (especially boys) are going to want to get their hands on it, and will no doubt try every persuasive argument in their repertoire to convince you why. To help prep you for the negotiations ahead, we’ve put together what we’ve learned about the game so you can make an informed decision for your family.

The game is being released on both the Xbox 360, and the PlayStation 3, and has been rated “Mature” by the ESRB. It is intended for an audience over 17 years of age. It carries the following descriptors for its content; Intense Violence, Blood, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Partial Nudity, Use of Drugs and Alcohol.

Much like previous games in the series, the Grand Theft Auto IV story is told with its tongue firmly planted in its cheek. Set in the New York City-like Liberty City, the plot centers on Niko Bellic, an Eastern European immigrant pursuing the “American Dream.” Through Niko’s eyes, the game presents a satirical view of modern day America and pokes fun at everything from social to economic issues, liberals to conservatives, criminals to law enforcement.

As with previous games in the series, violence is central to the experience, and the technology afforded by the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 means that the resulting injuries and deaths are shown in a much more convincing fashion. Early trailers of the game have shown bodies thrown through the air, and bullets cutting through flesh and spraying blood.

A document from the UK ratings body, the BBFC (which has given the game an “18” rating) appeared online recently which stated, “the character can pick up prostitutes and pay for three levels of service. What follows is an un-detailed portrayal of masturbation, fellatio, and intercourse. The character can also visit lap-dancing clubs and request a private dance. While the game contains sexualized dancing and the portrayal of sex, there is no sexualized nudity.” So, yes there’s sex, but no you don’t see it.

The Rockstar Games Social Club is a new website launching on April 15 that is integrated with players’ Xbox Live Gamertags, or PlayStation Network IDs. The club will be a central hub for all future Rockstar releases, but GTA IV is the first game to make use of it. The club acts as a very advanced “leaderboard” and shows the progress of players in the game, as well as offering contests, challenges, and a player Hall of Fame.

The language used throughout the game is pretty blue, and this also extends to the in-game radio stations, and thinly veiled messaging on billboards and signage in the game. For example, the Internet Cafes of Liberty City are branded “TW@,” a large billboard can be seen in one of the trailers that spells “CNT,” and there’s a building with a large sign that reads “Cher Kov.”

This is the first game in the series where alcohol has been listed in the ESRB descriptors. If the main character gets drunk in the bars of Liberty City, his ability to navigate the environment is impaired and both the controls, and the game’s camera are affected dramatically.

File this one under “potential extra charges to my credit card,” Rockstar Games and Amazon.com have teamed up to make purchasing the GTA IV soundtrack a fully interactive experience. As players cruise around Liberty City listening to the in-game radio stations, they can “tag” any of the 150 songs by opening the in-game cell phone and dialing a specific number. Players will then receive a text message with the song and artist name, and if they’re registered at the Rockstar Social Club they’ll find an email in their inbox with a direct link to the Amazon MP3 store.

Supplementing the game’s single player mode is a wide variety of multiplayer modes playable over either Xbox Live or the PlayStation Network. Gameplay will include both “deathmatch” style combat and racing games for up to 16 players as well as a cops-against-crooks themed mode, and an assassination game.

In August this year, there will be an exclusive downloadable episode of extra content for the Xbox 360 version of the game. Specifics on how much this will cost, or how it will be presented in the game have yet to be revealed, but much of the new content is said to be triggered by interactions with other characters in Liberty City.

For those of you with gamers in the household with expensive tastes, or with a need to indulge in "exclusive" versions of games, there is a "Special Edition" of Grand Theft Auto IV shipping on April 29, too. For $89.99 this package ships in a metal safety deposit box, and includes the game (for either system) in special packaging, an art book, a soundtrack CD, a keychain and a limited edition Rockstar duffel bag. In order to guarantee getting this package, the game must be pre-ordered from Amazon, Best Buy, Circuit City, EB Games,GameStop, Wal-Mart, or from the Rockstar Warehouse.