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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Controversies surrounding ''Grand Theft Auto IV''}}
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'']'' is an ] video game developed by ] and published by ]. Upon its release in 2008 for the ] and ], the game generated controversy for its depiction of violence, occasionally being referred to as a "murder simulator".<ref name="MrsZelnick"/> The ability to ] in the game also received criticism, resulting in a request for the ] (ESRB) to change the game's ]. Similarly, some gameplay features were censored for the Australian and New Zealand versions of the game, though these were subsequently restored. Several crimes committed following the game's release, such as murder and sexual violence, were attributed to the perpetrators' experience with the game, generating further controversy. Former attorney ], known for his campaigns against the '']'' series, heavily criticised ''Grand Theft Auto IV'' prior to its release, filing lawsuits against Rockstar's parent company ] and threatening to ban distribution if some gameplay features were not removed. The game also generated further controversy and lawsuits from city officials and organisations.


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== Gameplay features ==
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=== Depiction of violence ===
{{Quote box|quote=There is nothing in the game you would not see in a TV show, or a movie a hundred times over, so I don't understand what the conversation is about. We set out to make games that felt like they could culturally exist alongside the movies we were watching and the books we were reading, and hopefully we're getting close to those goals.|align=left|source=], Rockstar head writer and VP for creative, '']'', 2 May 2008<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vulture.com/2008/05/rockstar_games_dan_houser.html |title=Rockstar Games' Dan Houser on Grand Theft Auto IV and Digitally Degentrifying New York |last=Hill |first=Logan |work=] |publisher=] |date=2 May 2008 |access-date=17 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203143438/http://www.vulture.com/2008/05/rockstar_games_dan_houser.html |archive-date=3 February 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref>|width=30em |quoted=1}}

''Grand Theft Auto IV'' was widely criticised for its depiction of violence and murder. On ], ] American talk-radio host ] used the game as an example to make wider claims about the use of violent video games by the U.S. military, repeating claims made by ] ] that the military uses shooting games to desensitise soldiers to killing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzr138ijmaQ |title=CNN Headline News - Grand Theft Morality Pt.1 |author=The Glenn Beck Program |work=ward0g25 |publisher=]. ] |date=1 May 2008 |access-date=9 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108233957/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzr138ijmaQ |archive-date=8 January 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy |author-link=Glenn Beck Program }}</ref> Beck also spoke to ], who labelled the game as a "murder simulator". Gavin McKiernan, national grass roots director for the ], added that the game is an "adult product", claiming that ] displayed the potential effect ] has on children. Thompson reiterated that the game should be re-rated in the United States, referring to the ] as an example.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqSCLrtioEI |title=CNN Headline News - Grand Theft Morality Pt.2 |author=The Glenn Beck Program |work=ward0g25 |publisher=]. ] |date=1 May 2008 |access-date=9 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108234002/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqSCLrtioEI |archive-date=8 January 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy |author-link=Glenn Beck Program }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.destructoid.com/glenn-beck-rants-about-gta-iv-let-s-break-it-down-84444.phtml |title=Glenn Beck rants about GTA IV, let's break it down |last=Sterling |first=Jim |work=] |publisher=Yanier Gonzalez |date=3 May 2008 |access-date=9 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213112921/http://www.destructoid.com/glenn-beck-rants-about-gta-iv-let-s-break-it-down-84444.phtml |archive-date=13 December 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref>

There have been a number of reported crimes in which the perpetrators cited ''Grand Theft Auto IV'' as their primary influence. On 27 June 2008, six teenagers were arrested after participating in a crime spree in ]. The teenagers mugged a man, knocking his teeth out, attempted to hijack a car, and smashed a passing van with a bat. According to the ], the teenagers claimed that they were inspired by ''Grand Theft Auto IV''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--crimespree0626jun26,0,701634.story |title=6 teens arrested in NY crime spree |author=''Newsday'' Staff |work=] |publisher=Gordon McLeod |date=26 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080629191343/http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--crimespree0626jun26%2C0%2C701634.story |archive-date=29 June 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsday.com/news/local/crime/ny-lirob275743162jun27,0,4494415.story |title=Cops: Grand Theft Auto video game inspired teen crimes |last=Chayes |first=Matthew |work=] |publisher=Gordon McLeod |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080630075011/http://www.newsday.com/news/local/crime/ny-lirob275743162jun27%2C0%2C4494415.story |archive-date=30 June 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> On 4 August 2008, ] reported that an 18-year-old student had been arrested in ], ] for the murder of a ] driver after attempting to hijack the vehicle. Bangkok police captain Veerarit Pipatanasak stated that the student "wanted to find out if it was as easy in real life to rob a taxi as it was in the game",<ref name="Reuters">{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/oukin-uk-video-murder-idUKLAU42753320080804 |title=Thai youth imitates Grand Theft Auto in cab murder |last=Wong-Anan |first=Nopporn |work=] |publisher=] |date=4 August 2008 |access-date=9 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150606034550/http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/08/04/oukin-uk-video-murder-idUKLAU42753320080804 |archive-date=6 June 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy }}</ref> and ''Grand Theft Auto IV'' was subsequently banned in Thailand as a result.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/technology/newsid_7540000/7540623.stm |title=Thailand bans Grand Theft Auto IV |last=Reed |first=Jim |work=] |publisher=] |date=4 August 2008 |access-date=9 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207061658/http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/technology/newsid_7540000/7540623.stm |archive-date=7 December 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref> In August 2013, 87-year-old Marie Smothers was killed in ] when her grandson, an eight-year-old boy, shot her in the head with a handgun after playing ''Grand Theft Auto IV''; under state law, the boy could not be charged for her death due to his age.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.sky.com/story/1132826/boy-8-kills-gran-after-playing-video-game |title=Boy, 8, Kills Gran After Playing Video Game |author=Sky News Staff |work=] |publisher=] |date=24 August 2013 |access-date=9 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213114146/http://news.sky.com/story/1132826/boy-8-kills-gran-after-playing-video-game |archive-date=13 December 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/marie-smothers-grand-theft-auto_n_3821879 |title=8-Year-Old Who Shot Grandmother, Marie Smothers, After Playing 'Grand Theft Auto' Won't Face Charges |last=Campbell |first=Andy |work=] |publisher=] |date=27 August 2013 |accessdate=14 May 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018233447/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/marie-smothers-grand-theft-auto_n_3821879 |archivedate=18 October 2020 |url-status=live |df=dmy }}</ref>

=== Drunk driving option ===
], resulting in a shaky and blurry perspective. This gameplay feature led to controversy, resulting in a request to change the game's rating.|alt=Player character Niko Bellic walks down a road while intoxicated, followed by driving in a car while intoxicated. In both scenes, the gameplay vision is shaky and blurred.]]

In ''Grand Theft Auto IV'', the player can choose to make protagonist ] and his ] friends become ], resulting in the game's perspective becoming shaky and blurry. Players also have the option to enter cars while intoxicated and to ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5011147/grand-theft-auto-dui |title=Grand Theft Auto: DUI |last=Good |first=Owen |work=] |publisher=] |date=27 May 2008 |access-date=17 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502002447/http://kotaku.com/5011147/grand-theft-auto-dui |archive-date=2 May 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref> This gameplay feature received criticism, particularly from the ] ] (MADD), who referred to the action as a "choice, a violent crime" and that it is "100 percent preventable".<ref name="MADD"/> As a result, MADD requested the ] (ESRB) to change the ] of the game from "Mature" (17+) to "Adults Only" (18+), which would have effectively removed the game from retail stock. They also asked Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar Games to consider halting the game's distribution out of a sense of social responsibility or out of respect for victims of driving under the influence.<ref name="MADD">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/mothers-against-gtaivs-drunk-driving/1100-6190213/ |title=Mothers against GTAIV's drunk driving |last=Sinclair |first=Brendan |publisher=]. ] |date=30 April 2008 |access-date=9 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322015446/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/mothers-against-gtaivs-drunk-driving/1100-6190213/ |archive-date=22 March 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref> Rockstar later issued a statement to the ]:
<blockquote>We have a great deal of respect for MADD's mission, but we believe the mature audience for ''Grand Theft Auto IV'' is more than sophisticated enough to understand the game's content.<ref name="AP">{{cite web |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/24405072/ns/technology_and_science-games/t/madd-attacks-grand-theft-auto-iv/ |title=MADD attacks 'Grand Theft Auto IV' |last=Lang |first=Derrik J. |work=] |publisher=] |date=1 May 2008 |access-date=9 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709114315/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/24405072/ns/technology_and_science-games/t/madd-attacks-grand-theft-auto-iv/ |archive-date=9 July 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref></blockquote>

=== Sex and nudity allegations ===
In November 2008, 19-year-old Ryan Chinnery was jailed for performing two sexual attacks on women at night. During the court hearings, it was told that Chinnery had spent considerable hours playing ''Grand Theft Auto IV''. The judge said that Chinnery's experience with the game "cannot have helped him in all the circumstances of this case".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/kent/7713991.stm |title='Porn' man jailed for sex attacks |author=] Staff |work=] |publisher=] |date=6 November 2008 |access-date=9 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213110215/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/kent/7713991.stm |archive-date=13 December 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref>

'']'', the first ] to ''Grand Theft Auto IV'', features a cutscene displaying full-frontal male nudity.<ref>{{cite video game |title=] |developer=] |publisher=] |date=17 February 2009 |platform=] |version=1.0 |level="Politics" }}</ref> The parents group ] condemned the expansion, claiming that the inclusion of nudity resulted in the game's status as "more controversial than its predecessors".<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.wired.com/2009/02/parents-group-w/ |title=Parents Group Warns Against Lost And Damned Nudity |last=Cavalli |first=Earnest |journal=] |publisher=] |date=21 February 2009 |access-date=9 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150606094226/http://www.wired.com/2009/02/parents-group-w/ |archive-date=6 June 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref> Rockstar vice president ] stated that the sexual content was intended to be humorous and hoped that "the fans" would recognise this.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://weblogs.variety.com/the_cut_scene/2008/04/dan-housers-ver.html |title=Dan Houser's very extended interview about everything "Grand Theft Auto IV" and Rockstar |last=Fritz |first=Ben |work=The Cut Scene |publisher=]. ] |date=19 April 2008 |access-date=17 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080421173255/http://weblogs.variety.com/the_cut_scene/2008/04/dan-housers-ver.html |archive-date=21 April 2008 }}</ref>

=== Censored release ===
]

Despite confirmation in February 2008 that the Australian version of ''Grand Theft Auto IV'' would not be edited,<ref name="palgn-nocensor">{{cite web |url=http://palgn.com.au/article.php?title=Aussie+version+of+GTA+IV+completely+uncensored&id=10235&&sid=3147d0248877ca2a93a4c0a4d9e54454 |title=Aussie version of GTA IV completely uncensored |last=Van Leuveren |first=Luke |work=PALGN |date=4 February 2008 |access-date=6 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090317040034/http://palgn.com.au/article.php?title=Aussie+version+of+GTA+IV+completely+uncensored&id=10235&&sid=3147d0248877ca2a93a4c0a4d9e54454 |archive-date=17 March 2009 }}</ref> Rockstar later revealed that some features would be censored. The game was assigned an MA15+ rating on 11 December 2007. Rockstar stated that a special version of the game was produced to comply with the Australian classification system.<ref name="smh-censor">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.smh.com.au/screenplay/archives/017808.html |title=GTA IV edited for Australia |last=Hill |first=Jacob |work=] |publisher=] |date=4 April 2008 |access-date=5 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080406122826/http://blogs.smh.com.au/screenplay/archives/017808.html |archive-date=6 April 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref> Features censored in the Australian versions include the inability to select a "service" when hiring a prostitute, and the restriction of animation and camera angles; the lack of blood pools and bloody footprints; the replacement of bullet wounds and blood patches with "slight discolouration".<ref name="Cut">{{cite web |url=http://www.kotaku.com.au/2008/05/australian_and_unmodified_gta_iv_compared/ |title=What Was Cut? Australian And Unmodified GTA IV Compared |last=Booker |first=Logan |work=] |publisher=] |date=27 May 2008 |access-date=9 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210061008/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2008/05/australian_and_unmodified_gta_iv_compared/ |archive-date=10 December 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref> In December 2008, a Rockstar spokesman stated that the game would be released uncensored in Australia for its release on ], with an MA15+ certificate.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5100659/for-some-reason-australia-is-getting-an-uncut-gta-iv-on-pc |title=For Some Reason, Australia Is Getting An Uncut GTA IV On PC |last=Plunkett |first=Luke |work=] |publisher=] |date=2 December 2008 |access-date=7 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210210946/http://kotaku.com/5100659/for-some-reason-australia-is-getting-an-uncut-gta-iv-on-pc |archive-date=10 December 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://v1.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/87750-GTA-IV-Not-Censored-For-Australia|title=GTA IV Not Censored For Australia|work=]|publisher=]|first=Andy|last=Chalk|date=1 December 2008|access-date=26 July 2020|archive-date=26 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726132807/https://v1.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/87750-GTA-IV-Not-Censored-For-Australia|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/uncut-gtaiv-pc-coming-to-australia/1100-6201744/|title=Uncut GTAIV PC coming to Australia|work=]|publisher=]|first=Dan|last=Chiappini|date=1 December 2008|access-date=26 July 2020}}</ref> In February 2009, Rockstar distributed a ] that uncensored the Australian release for consoles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.com.au/gaming/news/a147428/gta-iv-updated-with-uncensored-patch.html |title='GTA IV' updated with uncensored patch |last=Reynolds |first=Matthew |work=] |publisher=] |date=21 February 2009 |access-date=12 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150603060203/http://www.digitalspy.com.au/gaming/news/a147428/gta-iv-updated-with-uncensored-patch.html |archive-date=3 June 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref>

On 15 April 2008, it was announced that the New Zealand release of the game would be identical to the censored Australian release,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://palgn.com.au/xbox-360/11103/new-zealand-version-of-gta-iv-also-cut/ |title=New Zealand version of GTA IV also cut |last=Peter |first=James |website=PALGN |date=15 April 2008 |access-date=9 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927173020/http://palgn.com.au/xbox-360/11103/new-zealand-version-of-gta-iv-also-cut/ |archive-date=27 September 2012 }}</ref> with Take-Two Interactive citing "time scales and logistical reasons".<ref name="3news"/> Bill Hastings, Chief Censor for the ] (OFLC), stated that Rockstar "did not tell which version of the game they submitted", and that "the version submitted for classification was the version they intended to market in New Zealand".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gameplanet.co.nz/news/i131637/GTA-IV-Chief-Censor-talks-to-Gameplanet/ |title=GTA IV: Chief Censor talks to Gameplanet |last=Cheer |first=Dan |publisher=] |date=17 April 2008 |access-date=17 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215237/http://www.gameplanet.co.nz/news/i131637/GTA-IV-Chief-Censor-talks-to-Gameplanet/ |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref> However, the game was resubmitted to the OFLC by Stan Calif, a 21-year-old student in ] who was unhappy that he had received an edited version of the game as a result of Australian censorship laws. The unedited version was subsequently given an R18 rating and cleared for sale in New Zealand.<ref name="3news">{{cite web |url=http://www.3news.co.nz/entertainment/uncut-version-of-grand-theft-auto-iv-now-available-in-nz-2008052218 |title=Uncut version of Grand Theft Auto IV now available in NZ |author=''3 News'' Staff |work=] |publisher=] |date=22 May 2008 |access-date=7 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209002758/http://www.3news.co.nz/entertainment/uncut-version-of-grand-theft-auto-iv-now-available-in-nz-2008052218 |archive-date=9 December 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref>

== Political response ==
], known for campaigning against titles from Rockstar Games, heavily criticised ''Grand Theft Auto IV'' prior to its release.]]

In 2007, then-] lawyer ], who had previously campaigned against other games from Rockstar, stated that he would take measures to prevent the sale of ''Grand Theft Auto IV'' to minors.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.edge-online.com/news/thompson-rallies-against-gta-iv/ |title=Thompson Rallies Against GTA IV |magazine=] |publisher=] |date=3 January 2007 |access-date=9 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213065338/http://www.edge-online.com/news/thompson-rallies-against-gta-iv/ |archive-date=13 December 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref> On 14 March 2007, Rockstar's parent company Take-Two Interactive filed a lawsuit against Thompson in an attempt to preemptively restrict his attempts to declare Rockstar's games as a ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamepolitics.com/images/legal/FL-T2-JT.pdf |title=Case 07-80238 |author=United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida |publisher=] |date=13 March 2007 |access-date=5 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711071800/http://www.gamepolitics.com/images/legal/FL-T2-JT.pdf |archive-date=11 July 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy |author-link=United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida }}</ref> Games declared to be a nuisance are effectively banned for sale, which Take-Two believed would be a violation of ] rights.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gamepolitics.com/2007/03/16/breaking-take-two-sues-jack-thompson/ |title=BREAKING: Take-Two Sues Jack Thompson over Manhunt, GTA4 |author=GamePolitics.com Staff |publisher=] |date=16 March 2007 |access-date=9 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070316233657/http://gamepolitics.com/2007/03/16/breaking-take-two-sues-jack-thompson/ |archive-date=16 March 2007 }}</ref> Thompson responded by filing a ]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamepolitics.com/images/legal/FL-T2-JT-counter.pdf |title=CASE NO. 07-20693-CIV-ALTONAGA |author=United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida |publisher=] |date=21 March 2007 |access-date=9 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927225834/http://www.gamepolitics.com/images/legal/FL-T2-JT-counter.pdf |archive-date=27 September 2007 |author-link=United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida }}</ref> accusing Take-Two of violating federal ] statues, committing ], ], and ] against him with third parties to deprive him of his civil rights.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gamepolitics.com/2007/03/22/in-countersuit-thompson-claims-take-two-at-center-of-vast-rico-conspiracy |title=In Countersuit, Thompson Claims Take Two at Center of Vast RICO Conspiracy |author=GamePolitics.com Staff |publisher=] |date=22 March 2007 |access-date=9 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070325021932/http://gamepolitics.com/2007/03/22/in-countersuit-thompson-claims-take-two-at-center-of-vast-rico-conspiracy/ |archive-date=25 March 2007 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/thompson-countersues-take-two/1100-6167843/ |title=Thompson countersues Take-Two |last=Sinclair |first=Brendan |publisher=]. ] |date=21 March 2007 |access-date=9 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226082714/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/thompson-countersues-take-two/1100-6167843/ |archive-date=26 December 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref>

On 20 April 2007, both parties reached a settlement agreeing to drop their respective lawsuits.<ref name="Settlement">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamepolitics.com/2007/04/19/breaking-grand-theft-auto-publisher-settles-lawsuit-against-jack-thompson |title=GTA Publisher, Jack Thompson Settle Lawsuit |author=GamePolitics.com Staff |publisher=] |date=19 April 2007 |access-date=21 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070422054808/http://gamepolitics.com/2007/04/19/breaking-grand-theft-auto-publisher-settles-lawsuit-against-jack-thompson/ |archive-date=22 April 2007 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Under the terms of the settlement, Thompson was barred from suing to ban the sale or distribution of games by Take-Two or its subsidiaries. He was restricted to communicating through Take-Two's attorneys on any future matter, but is able to maintain his outspoken stance against their titles and may act as counsel in lawsuits against Take-Two by other parties. For their part, Take-Two agreed to drop the ] lawsuit against Thompson regarding alleged improper conduct during the court hearings for Rockstar's game '']'' in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ign.com/articles/2007/04/20/jack-thompson-and-take-two-bury-the-hatchet |title=Jack Thompson and Take-Two Bury the Hatchet |last=Seff |first=Micah |publisher=]. ] |date=20 April 2007 |access-date=9 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304081426/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/04/20/jack-thompson-and-take-two-bury-the-hatchet |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref>

On 18 September 2007, Thompson filed a document with a federal court in Florida, claiming that the assassination target of a mission in ''Grand Theft Auto IV'' is a lawyer character based upon himself.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamepolitics.com/images/legal/JT-GTA4-ltr.pdf |title=Case 1:07-cv-21256-AJ Document 12-2 |last=Thompson |first=Jack |author-link=Jack Thompson (activist) |publisher=] |date=17 September 2007 |access-date=9 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711072220/http://www.gamepolitics.com/images/legal/JT-GTA4-ltr.pdf |archive-date=11 July 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref> When the player enters his office and brandishes a weapon, the lawyer yells, "Guns don't kill people, video games do!", a phrase often attributed to Thompson.<ref>{{cite video game |title=] |developer=] |publisher=] |date=29 April 2008 |platform=] and ] |version=1.0 |level="...Final Interview" }}</ref> Thompson threatened that he would "take necessary and proper means to stop release of the game" if the similarities were not removed;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gamepolitics.com/2007/09/18/jack-thompson-says-gta-4-mission-target-is-him-threatens-to-block-release/ |title=Jack Thompson Says GTA 4 Mission Target is Him; Threatens to Block Release |author=GamePolitics.com Staff |publisher=] |date=18 September 2007 |access-date=9 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070806013425/http://gamepolitics.com/2007/09/18/jack-thompson-says-gta-4-mission-target-is-him-threatens-to-block-release/ |archive-date=6 August 2007 }}</ref> when the changes were not made, Thompson did not follow through. On 25 April 2008, '']'' reported that Thompson had written a letter to the mother of Strauss Zelnick, director of Take-Two Interactive, in which he strongly criticised both the game and Zelnick's upbringing and labelled ''Grand Theft Auto'' as a "murder simulator". He follows:

<blockquote>The pornography and violence that your son trafficks in is the kind of stuff that most mother would be ashamed to see their son putting into the hands of other mothers' children Maybe you, Mrs. Zelnick, were so taken by your handsome son that you spared the rod and spoiled the child. That would explain why he has brought you, by the way he presently acts, "to shame." Happy Mother's day, Mrs. Zelnick, which this year is two weeks after your son unleashes porn and violence upon other mothers' boys. I'm sure you're very proud.<ref name="MrsZelnick">{{cite web |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/187662/jack-thompson-hounds-rockstar-boss-mother/ |title=Jack Thompson hounds Rockstar boss'... MOTHER |last=Jackson |first=Mike |work=] |publisher=] |date=25 April 2008 |access-date=9 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813163814/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/187662/jack-thompson-hounds-rockstar-boss-mother/ |archive-date=13 August 2012 }}</ref></blockquote>

Thompson subsequently claimed that he sent the letter to Zelnick's lawyer instead of his mother and formulated it as a parody intended to induce feelings of "shame" in Zelnick.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://diehardgamefan.insidepulse.com/2008/04/22/jack-thompsons-open-letter-to-take-two-ceos-mother/ |title=Jack Thompson's Open Letter to Take-Two CEO's Mother |last=Yeager |first=Matt |work=Diehard GameFAN |publisher=Inside Pulse |date=22 April 2008 |access-date=9 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503025529/http://diehardgamefan.insidepulse.com/2008/04/22/jack-thompsons-open-letter-to-take-two-ceos-mother/ |archive-date=3 May 2008 }}</ref>

] in New York City advertising ''Grand Theft Auto IV'' in July 2007]]

Following the release of the game's first ], New York City officials were appalled with the choice of their city as the inspiration for the setting, stating that a game like ''Grand Theft Auto'' does not represent the city's crime levels accurately.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/161197/new-york-appalled-with-gta-iv-setting/ |title=New York appalled with GTA IV setting |last=Ogden |first=Gavin |work=] |publisher=] |date=1 April 2007 |access-date=9 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025212219/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/161197/new-york-appalled-with-gta-iv-setting/ |archive-date=25 October 2012 }}</ref> A spokesperson for Mayor ] said that he "does not support any video game where you earn ] for injuring or kill police officers".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/pols-rage-vid-game-takes-shot-city-article-1.214924 |title=Pols rage as vid game takes shot at city |last1=Pereira |first1=Ivan |last2=Saul |first2=Michael |last3=Gendar |first3=Alison |work=] |publisher=] |date=31 March 2007 |access-date=9 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222044343/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/pols-rage-vid-game-takes-shot-city-article-1.214924 |archive-date=22 December 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref> In response, ], executive director of the ], accused New York City officials of ]s, for criticising video games of using the city, but avoiding the argument in terms of other forms of entertainment, such as books, films and television shows.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsfactor.com/news/New-York-Balks-at-Grand-Theft-Auto/story.xhtml?story_id=0300003HXXO0 |title=New York Balks at Next Grand Theft Auto |last=Millard |first=Elizabeth |publisher=NewsFactor |date=2 April 2007 |access-date=9 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213084252/http://www.newsfactor.com/news/New-York-Balks-at-Grand-Theft-Auto/story.xhtml?story_id=0300003HXXO0 |archive-date=13 December 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref>

== Legal action ==
Take-Two Interactive filed a lawsuit in response to the ] (CTA) removing advertisements promoting the game from their property, which violated a contract that requires the advertisements to remain until June 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-grandtheftauto-idUSN0541723720080505 |title=Grand Theft Auto publisher sues over pulled ads |last1=Kearney |first1=Christine |last2=Trotta |first2=Daniel |last3=Eastham |first3=Todd |work=] |publisher=] |date=5 May 2008 |access-date=9 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213082854/http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/05/05/us-grandtheftauto-idUSN0541723720080505 |archive-date=13 December 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy}}</ref> In response, a representative from the CTA attributed the removal of the advertisements to the controversy surrounding the advertisement campaign for '']'' in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gtaiv-ads-pulled-because-of-san-andreas-flap/1100-6189790/ |title=GTAIV ads pulled because of San Andreas flap |last=Sinclair |first=Brendan |publisher=]. ] |date=28 April 2008 |access-date=9 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104192423/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gtaiv-ads-pulled-because-of-san-andreas-flap/1100-6189790/ |archive-date=4 November 2019 |url-status=live |df=dmy }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.rockstargames.com/IV/|name=Official ''Grand Theft Auto IV'' website}}
* {{Official website|http://www.rockstargames.com|name=Official Rockstar Games website}}

{{Grand Theft Auto}}
{{Rockstar Games}}
{{Video game controversy}}

⚫ {{DEFAULTSORT:Grand Theft Auto Iv Controversies}}
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