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Oct 28, 2009 6:47 pm US/Eastern
Violent "Liberty City" Game Getting Double Takes
LIBERTY CITY (CBS4) ―
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Screenshot from Grand Theft Auto IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony
Rockstar Media
Violent video games aren't a new thing, but as the latest addition to the "Grand Theft Auto" series hits stores tomorrow, you may find yourself wondering if it's about South Florida. The violent series, known for shooting cops, crashing cars and living the life of a villain, is causing some confusion because of the title.
The game is being sold under the name of Liberty City and appears to be blending virtual and real world violence.
Gloria Munoz, a parent, thought the game was a spoof of South Florida's Liberty City. "I would think because Liberty City has that reputation that it's a hard crime area; that that's why they gave it that name."
But despite the violent theme and the name Liberty City, the game and the real city are not related. Gamer Carlos Bedoya told us "I thought it was New York."
Another gamer, Henry Meadows, argued, "No, it's Las Vegas."
It's actually a cross of both cities and then some. According to the company, the four boroughs in the game are based on New York neighborhoods with a bit of night-life flair.
Parents like Munoz don't like the fact the game has a familiar name. But at a Game Stop in Liberty City, Meadows told us the locals know the difference. "A game is a game and real life is real life. That's how I see it."
CBS4's David Sutta asked "Do you think the kids understand that?"
Meadows responded, "Kids got to understand that."
Bedoya though isn't worried about kids confusing the name, but the content is a whole other story. "Kids don't know the difference between the game and real life. If they go around shooting things and they find a gun in the street, I'm sure they are going to do it. Why not? They did it in the game."
Grand Theft Auto IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony comes out Friday for the Xbox 360. It will be available in stores as part of
Episodes of Liberty City, or separately for download on Xbox LIVE.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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