4. The Age Rating
In the UK, GTA gets an 18 rating every time, almost without trying. In the US, it carries an ESRB rating of M (17+) but many have called for it to be raised to AO (Adults Only), citing that its contents are unsuitable for even the eldest of minors. For some reason, kids seem to be obsessed, excited by the prospect of age-restricted games. Its the forbidden fruit; theyre not supposed to play it, and that makes them want to all the more. Factor in the fact that some parents dont really seem to care; theyll let little 13-year-old Jimmy play it. Then, each kid comes at their own parents with the Jimmy-plays-it-why-cant-I defence, and manages to win themselves a copy. Pretty soon, a huge percentage of GTAs player base is under the recommended age-rating.
Theres always controversy surrounding GTA, because it really isnt suitable for children. Yet so many children are playing. The problem? So many supposed adults still dont understand gaming. Theyre insistent that as a medium, its exclusively for children, and even though a game has an age-rating, they view this as more of a formality than anything else. Then, they walk in while their little angel is repeatedly stabbing a dead prostitute in the face, and they lose their sh*t; they start calling for GTA to be banned and burned in the streets. Hey, you bought it, jackass. You sat your kid in front of it, so that you could get some precious peace and quiet. Its YOUR fault, not R*s. Do they listen though? Do they hell.