System i Addict

I just recently purchased an Xbox360. I know , I know. I am not supposed to like Microsoft, problem is the XBox is more popular than the Sony PS3, and is far cheaper. I struggled with the decision I assure you. Enough of that.

I have always liked and played the GTA games. I think they are some of the best games out there and the game play is so large and exciting they just keep you engaged for hours. It’s not so much the violence and the other aspects of the game, rather the enormous maps, and detail of the game that excite me. GTA IV is no exception. The detail is unreal and the part that jars you the most is the language and utter lack of restraint int he game. They let loose and shock you at every turn. Even the radio stations in the cars are offensive and I love it.

The newest feature is multi-player or online play. This is new with the GTA IV version. Before it was a one man effort and you played alone, but now you can jump on-line and play with your buddies. I assumed this would be fun and would only make the game even better and while the on-line play is incredible there is a problem.

While playing on-line the other night for the second time, there were kids, 8, 10, and 12 on the game, and they were cursing up a storm. I spent a few years in the Navy with sailors who are notorious with foul language and these kids could have put some of them to shame. I could not take it and finally asked if they would stop all the foul language in that you don’t need it to make a point and who on earth purchased the game for them because proudly displayed on the box is MATURE +17. Clearly none of them was 17 and one kid gave me the excuse that he plays it to that he can translate it to his Dad because his Dad only speaks Spanish. You have got to be kidding me?

Where are the adults in our society? Where are the parents who should know better then to purchase this game for their kids? Would you run out to the porn store and get you kid the latest movie because you want them to translate it to Spanish for you? Why do parents think that letting a 10 year old play GTA IV on-line and cursing like there is not tomorrow is a good thing. If you have purchased your kids GTA IV, I implore you to remove it from their grasp, and then go get some help to be a parent. We all have flaws and I know that, but you have to grow up sometime and this is just common sense. It’s an adult game for adults not kids. I don’t care what side of the political spectrum you are on giving kids a game meant for adults is child abuse and I think you should be thrown into jail.

Let me also be clear, adults have every right to own the game and Rockstar games has every right to make the  game and sell it. I love the game and when GTA V comes out I will be there to buy it I assure you, but not for my son, he will have to wait until he is over the age of +17, and if it were me I would just go ahead and make it +18 to be consistent.