Journalist calls PTC on its bullshit

By James Walker • May 8, 2008

Before I begin, I need to just get this off my chest: Next motherfucker who calls this “Grand Theft Auto IV: Liberty City” is getting slapped with the fuckin’ box art. It’s Grand Theft Auto IV. That’s it, and that’s all. Moving on.

In a press release issued by the clueless, hypocritical sods at the Parents Television Council, the organization asked Arizona Daily Star reporter Phil Villarreal if he would be interested in speaking with Dan Isett of the PTC about their crusade against GTA IV. Villarreal agreed, and what transpired next was pure… effing… gold… (Villarreal is in bold):

Have you played the game?

“I’ve actually played ‘Grand Theft Auto IV,’ and it’s right in keeping with previous versions. The series continues to lower the bar and this is the first game that has an alcohol content warning. You get points for driving drunk in this game.”

You know that’s not true, right? The game doesn’t have points.

“If nothing else, it’s a rewarded activity. Necessary for advancement.”

I don’t think so.

“But there’s an alcohol content warning and a scene of drunk driving, correct?”

Yes. Did you play that part?

“No, no. I didn’t get that far.”

Are you a gamer at all? Do you play any games these days?

“I enjoy video games.”

What do you play?

“I have a lot of fun. I play all sorts of games. I actually have a Wii.”

What were the circumstances that you played “GTA IV?”

“I rented it at a friend’s house. I think that what’s important is it’s a horrifically violent game and if you want to quibble about extra points being granted, fine. It rewards every antisocial behavior.”

“I actually have a Wii”… wow. Anyways, Villarreal continued to grill the poor, clueless buffoon. In one specific instance, Isett talked of how you are forced to kill characters “in the first couple hours”. Of course, Isett refused to say what the circumstances of the killing were (whether they were mission-based or just for giggles), but he continued to champion his lost cause.

Also, just to clarify — at no point in the game are you forced to drive drunk. Period. To say otherwise is an outright lie.

via Kotaku