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10 Questions/Observations About Grand Theft Auto V From A Non-Gamer

When any cultural product takes in a billion dollars of business in the first three days of its release, as Grand Theft Auto V did, you kind of have to pay attention to it. For years now many have been touting the fact that blockbuster movies appear to be on the decline at the same time video game sales are reaching all-time highs. Comparing the two on an artistic level is still riddled with problems and philosophical gaps, but on a business level, and a popular culture level, it’s becoming impossible for culture watchers to ignore an industry that continues to increase its modern cultural force.

[h2]7) What are its politics?[/h2]

grand theft auto v screenshots (12)

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Similar to its morality, I’m not sure if Grand Theft Auto can be argued as particularly thoughtful or biting political satire, but functions wonderfully as humor that exposes some of the absurdities of political discourse through exaggerated expression. This isn’t The Daily Show brand of satire, but it could be on par with South Park.

The strange and hilarious radio call-in shows as well as some of the amusing statements made by characters on screen make a target of every kind of liberal, conservative, Republic, Democrat, Libertarian and everything on the spectrum. No one escapes unscathed. This would make it seem as though the target of the game’s roasting is not necessarily a type of political animal, but all who engage in hyperbolic or stereotypical political discourse. But like Trey Parker and Matt Stone, while this is satisfying on some level, there’s a certain element of nihilistic attitude that becomes grating after some time. So every political stripe is ridiculous. Where does that leave us?

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