[Re-Play] Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

When not playing Mass Effect 3 (due to lack of an HDTV), I have been once again exploring the world of San Andreas on my MacBook. Admittedly, I am not a big computer gamer, so if it exists on a console, I’ll probably play it there first. What better way to become familiar with an unfamiliar medium than to play a game I already completed on console years ago. After a few minutes of configuring controls and learning how things worked with a keyboard and mouse, I quickly got my groove back and was able to start progressing through the pseudo-Golden State.

Just another day in the neighborhood | www.teamxbox.com

A shake of a spray can and the RockStar Games “R” logo appeared. This is the peak of open-world gaming in the GTA3 era. In control of Carl Johnson (CJ), the player is taken through a whole mess of events that keep the player on their toes and even managed to surprise me the second time around (like reading a good novel, I’ve forgotten some of the details). In fact, the sheer amount of “stuff” to do seems to be so overwhelming this time around. Aside from the main story (which includes everything from car jacking to shoot outs with rival gangs and a whole plethora of other less-than-legal activities), you can moonlight as a police officer, save some lives in the Ambulance, volunteer as a firefighter, or become a professional pimp. Aside from these odd jobs, you might even be interested in spending time shopping in downtown Los Santos, sightseeing in San Fierro, or gambling your savings away in Las Venturas. Whatever your interest, there is a lot to see and do in this huge, huge game.

gta.wikia.com

The Idea: Create three massive open-world sandbox urban environments based on Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas and throw them all together. Fill in the in-between areas with rural country settings that help mix up game play and scenery. Add in the humor and delinquency that Grand Theft Auto titles are known for and you’ve got yourself a game. Sweeten the pot with the ability to swim (finally) and gang wars (which are really as fun as they sound).

Running after a car where the passenger is shooting at you? Good idea. | fileforum.betanews.com

The Look: The graphics don’t really redefine the word “amazing” but they are very good, especially given the time the game was released and the size of the world the player was exposed to. The level of customization in CJ was also extremely impressive given the size of the game (roughly 4 times larger than Vice City). While my CJ is pretty buff and likes to rock shades at all times of day, your CJ could be extremely overweight, wear only sweatshirts, and have a giant afro. Customization comes through the ability to change clothing, hair, tattoos, weight/muscle, and more, which gives players a ton of possibilities to play with.

The Sound: The soundtrack is awesome. Cruising around, watching the scenery while jamming to Ice Cube’s Today Was A Good Day is nothing short of amazing. Featuring over 11 radio stations with 20 DJs, there is certainly a lot to be heard. All of the voice acting was very convincing, as well. Gimme them duckets!

www.gtasanandreas.net

The Play: Controls are fairly smooth and represent the GTA universe well in this iteration. For some reason, a car turned completely on its side can be hit on the underbelly and completely turn right-side-up again (which let me complete the mission, so I’m not complaining), and of course running red lights and hitting pedestrians (note: not killing) don’t cause any police attention, but hey, that’s why we love GTA. As I noted previously, there is a crazy amount of things to see and do, and most of them work smoothly and without error. Only the lowrider mission (on the computer version) gave me any issue, as I didn’t know how to use the hydraulics at first.

The Entertainment: As I mentioned before, cruising… in a Banshee… listening to Ice Cube… Oh, but aside from that, the gang wars are still incredibly awesome. Once the missions become more complex and the “introductory” part of the game is over (for me, it felt like around the time AmmuNation’s started to become available), it becomes very, very fun. Having access to supplies and not depending on Emmett for a weapon (seriously, 16 shots in a pistol does not go far at all in Los Santos) makes for a much more enjoyable ride. And if you don’t like missions (or need a break) try the “spawn Rhino” cheat or the infinite bike jump cheat. Out running the military on 6 stars is also always a fun challenge.

Oh, ya know... just chillin' with my tank | lparchive.org

The Challenge: The game is fairly similar to what I remember. I don’t remember a lot of the details, though, so it makes the mission-to-mission story interesting and (seemingly) new. It’s hard doing some missions, though, knowing how things eventually play out… But as far as actual issues… Well, the obvious issue I have is that auto-targeting is somewhat different than I remember (if not altogether gone). Besides that, I don’t remember dying nearly as frequently in the PS2 version as I do in this one. And keep in mind; I suck less now than I did back in the day at video games, so… what’s the isssh-ya? These are minor complaints, all in all, though. I really think the game is going to get more and more challenging as I get out of Los Santos, but I’m up for it.

The Legacy: Introducing players to the first GTA game of this size was a major achievement for RockStar back in 2004.  This game is also extremely famous for causing some issues in the legal system regarding proper labeling – apparently there was an issue with some virtual nakedness and coffee!  This is also the first time we get to see San Andreas. For those of you who really enjoyed this game, get excited for a new interpretation of San Andreas later this year when Grand Theft Auto V is released!

static.guim.co.uk 

That about wraps it up. I’d love to stay and chat, but I’ve got territory to watch and a reputation to uphold in my community. Off to Los Santos! While I’m gone, what’s your favorite part of GTA: San Andreas? What do you think about the whole hot coffee scandal that happened back during the game’s initial release?

http://gtawallpaperswidescreen.blogspot.com

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I Don't Smoke Video Games

As many of you know, the gaming industry is constantly targeted in the legal system, usually due to the level of violence in video games. Ironically, the industry is under fire for games that feature characters under fire. Today, I’d like to focus on the legal issues that have recently engulfed the gaming industry and discuss their importance to us as consumers.

California and the Supreme Court

sdgln.com

Back in June of 2011, the Supreme Court Justices, in a 7-2 ruling, refused a California law prohibiting the sale of violent video games to patrons under the age of 18. The law didn’t name any specific video game, but lawyers called special attention to Postal 2. The law purposed to issue a fine of $1,000 to any one selling or renting a violent game to a minor, similar to laws that fine those who sell cigarettes to minors.  The law was ultimately overturned, citing our right to Freedom of Speech.

Postal 2 Screenshot | fileplanet.com

Justice Stephen Breyer stated his feelings about the law saying, “… The statue prevents no one from playing a video game, it prevents no adult from buying a video game, and it prevents no child or adolescent from obtaining a game provided a parent is willing to help.”

He has a point. The law does not explicitly say that children cannot play the games, just that they cannot purchase it. Again, this is much like cigarette laws, where purchasing is the criminal act, not participating in it. Personally, I feel this is entirely flawed. If you’re going to do it, do it right. I’ve always had a problem with cigarettes laws, as those that exist don’t actually serve to stop the negative behavior, rather it serves as a deterrent. The same logic applies to this video game restriction as it only creates roadblocks, instead of stopping the problem all together.  And, more importantly, is there even a problem?

The Video Game Health Labeling Act of 2011

gamespy.com

Apparently Congressman Joe Baca thought so. Back in 2011, Baca thought that he’d draw an even bigger comparison between cigarettes and video games when he proposed an act that would force game manufacturers to don a label stating “WARNING: Excessive exposure to violent videogames and other violent media has been linked to aggressive behavior.”  The fact that this bill was met with little to no reception back in 2009 didn’t discourage Baca from trying again, this time with a co-sponsor.

gamefront.com

While I’m all for the ERSB ratings that are found on both the front and (in greater detail) back of the video game cases, I feel this would be overkill. What is to stop us from putting labels on every magazine that read, "WARNING: Reading this may increase your self awareness to a point where you overanalyze yourself and become so critical of your appearance that your self esteem will all but disappear.”

The repercussions of entertainment have always been a cause of concern for consumers. As new forms of media evolve, so evolves the ability to blame new forms of media for society’s problems. Remember Marilyn Manson and how he taught your kid to shoot up their high school? Remember Braveheart and how it taught you to moon your enemies and then murder them? If we are to overly criticize one medium, let us overly criticize them all, equally. Let us suspend reality for a moment and pretend video games are the sole type of media being consumed by today’s youth. Many studies have been conducted to ascertain the nature of the link between violence and video games and studies from The Harvard Medical School Center for Mental Health and The British Medical Journal, among others, have shown no conclusive connection between the two. So even if I were to believe that video games are the only place these kids are getting their information, how am I supposed to believe they are detrimental to a minor’s mental health? It is surprising that these lawsuits even come about. I mean, we do want to be responsible for our own actions, don’t we?

How Lineage II “ruined” a man’s life

linega2media.com

In 2010, a man named Craig Smallwood filed a lawsuit against NCsoft of South Korea, for compensatory damages because their game Lineage II was too addictive. Smallwood had logged between 20,000 hours between 2004 and 2009. He alleged that he “would not have begun playing if he was aware that he would become addicted to the game.” Ultimately District Judge Alan Kay ruled that the case could at least go to trial stating, “…The court finds that plaintiff [Smallwood] has stated a claim for both negligence and gross negligence.” While the case isn’t likely to go any further, it does raise some questions.

This is exactly why we have legal officials pushing these laws and bills that prohibit and restrict our freedoms as America consumers. When people fail to take responsibility for their own actions, it makes it okay for someone else to make decisions for us. And when that happens, bills like the previous two will only have more reason to be passed.

And that will be a sad, sad day.

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