Game:
Grand Theft Auto - Vice City
Grand Theft Auto - Vice City is a game about playing a gangster. At the start of the game a drug exchange goes bad, money and drugs disappear, and you, the player, have to help people retrieve their "stolen" property. While you can follow the story line, the game is well known for letting you wander around and do all sorts of gangster-like stuff, most of which, your kids are -- or should be -- aware, is not condoned in normal society. Rated mature.
The entire Grand Theft Auto series provides a good starting point for discussing video game violence in an open and supportive manner with your children. Let them educate you about games and violence. You might be pleasantly surprised regarding their perspective and understanding of the issues. Ask them, for example: 1. Why do you like this game?
2. Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable? Why?
3. Do you think this is a game about real life?
4. Do you see any ethical or moral questions in the game? How do you deal with them?
This game could be used as a starting point for a discussion of power, democracy and politics.
1. What are rules and laws?
2. Why are rules and laws important?
3. Who should decide about guilt, innocence, punishment?
4. Is it important to be critical about the games we play?
5. Should the government control entertainment?
GamesParentsTeachers asked UK gamer Connor Mitchell, 11, about Grand Theft Auto: Vice City:
Q: So, what is Grand Theft Auto: Vice City about?
A: Theft of cars and bikes.
Q: What do you like about the game?
A: You can do what you want to do that you can't do in real life.
Q: Have you learned anything about the real world while playing the game?
A: Not to steal. Not to fight. Not to use guns.
Q: What do you wish your parents or teachers knew about this game?
A: That the game is not all bad and swearing.
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