PlayStation game known for violence achieves top sales

It has been described by The Times of London as the "most irresponsible yet irresistible game of the year".

Yet despite, or perhaps because of, its violent nature, and some calls for a ban on it, sales have not been dented, and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (GTA: VC) still made it as one of the top-selling PlayStation 2 games in Malta for 2002.

"Even though it had an '18' rating, this game was on many children's wish-list this Christmas," Forestals PlayStation manager Mark Schranz said when contacted.

Forestals are the exclusive agents in Malta for Sony PlayStation.

GTA: VC is now one of the most popular games in PS2 history and the fastest selling title of all time in the UK.

It sold more than 250,000 copies in its first weekend on sale, according to official figures from European Leisure Software Publishers Association and sales analysts ChartTrack.

Based loosely on the popular TV series Miami Vice, GTA:VC takes place in a fictional drug-infested city in the '80s.

The central character is a gangster who has just completed a 15-year prison sentence.

Everybody in Vice City, from gangsters and Cubans to bikers and politicians stand in his way, and it is up to the character to clear his path.

Players can embark on a series of missions to build a reputation or simply explore the city, hijacking an assortment of vehicles and wreaking havoc on foot with an arsenal of different weapons.

Loaded with mayhem, bloodshed and opportunities for violence, the central character is rewarded during the game for mowing down pedestrians and violently assaulting women.

Vice City has won rave reviews for its attention to detail in recreating the '80s era, as well as for its adventure content.

With new cars in the game, the player can also ride motorcycles and fly helicopters. More weapons have been added, including riot batons and crowbars.

Its predecessor, the award-winning Grand Theft Auto, in which players simulate killing police officers and stealing cars, was banned in Brazil.

GTA: VC caused protests in Australia and Britain when it was released, as the game raised questions about where we should draw the line morally.

Mr Schranz admitted that a lot of bad publicity had accompanied the game's release, whose '18' rating was confirmed by the censors in Malta.

"But ultimately bad publicity results in hype and many ended up buying it because of this," he said.

He said the game was one of the top-sellers for the year, even though it has been available only for just a couple of months.

The other best-sellers for the year include the recent Harry Potter game, The Getaway, and Tekkin 4, two other games which thrive on violence.

"When parents come to buy Vice City we explain to them it's not suitable for anybody under 18. The majority are grateful that we inform them - others however take responsibility for the purchase."

Mr Schranz said one also had to keep in mind that the average age for PlayStation games' buyers was 28, and such a game was therefore purchased mainly by adults.

"Yes, the game is violent, but violence is subjective. While other games might be more bloody, this could be more realistic. Unfortunately society demands this kind of violent reality.

"But do we ban violent films? Take the latest James Bond film, and you will see the main characters running over people, blowing up buildings, and so on."

Sociologist Charles Tabone thought differently. He said when contacted that he firmly believed that the content of PS2 and PC games could prove to be far more dangerous to children than films.

Fr Tabone said he believed games of a violently objectionable nature could incite younger players to violence and the only solution would be to ban the games.

"While watching TV or a video you are a mere spectator. When playing such games, you are an active participant.

"Sometimes even a film has the power to stir emotions inside you, let alone if you are the central character in a realistic game.

"The emotions when playing such games are so real, the adrenaline is flowing, and the desire to hurt, maim or kill someone is there," Fr Tabone said.

Even though the game was rated '18', there was no guarantee that it would not get into the hands of children, he stressed.

"But parents seem to be more concerned with the effects of sex than the potential repercussions of violent games."