GTA IV Trailer (Grand Theft Auto) draws criticism by Officials and Police for the close resemblance to New York City.
“The mayor does not support any video game where you earn points for injuring or killing police officers,” said Jason Post, a spokesman for Mayor Michael Bloomberg in a statement published by the Associated Press.
The controversy has arisen by the presence of buildings and structures similar to NY landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge and the Chrysler Building.
“However detailed examination of the footage suggests it is in fact the fictional Liberty City, as used in previous Grand Theft Auto titles” writes the popular gaming news site Gamasutra.
GTA games allow the player to take on the role of a criminal in a big city, typically a lowly individual who rises in the ranks of organized crime over the course of the game. Various missions are set for completion by the figureheads of the city underworld, generally criminal, these must be completed to progress through the storyline. Bank robberies, assassinations and other crimes feature regularly, but occasionally taxi driving, pimping and street racing are also involved as alternate adventures.
Grand Theft Auto IV is due release 10.16.07
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