Why Critics Want Grand Theft Auto IV to Be the ‘Godfather’ of Video Games

Iria

Grand Theft Auto IV is expected to smash and grab as much as $400 million this week — but money isn’t everything. For years, the producers at Rockstar Games have told anyone in earshot that they don’t just want cash: They want respect. They’ve boasted they don’t make toys, they make art, and that their flagship franchise is on par with The Godfather, rather than Mario Kart. Past controversies over prostitute-killing and pixelated sex have obscured that highbrow message, but with Grand Theft Auto IV, Rockstar is finally getting its wish. The game not only has a perfect score of 100 on Metacritic so far, critics are comparing it to the great populist art movies and TV shows.
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Source: NY Magazine