GTA Ads do a Drive By of Illinois Gov.

As we reported last week, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is waging war against violent video games. In a Washington Times article today, it is reported that "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" ads have appeared on 500 Chicago busses. The ad shows several characters from the game. No word yet from Blagojevich, but I'm sure he'll try to get the ads banned. I wonder if Rockstar had these ads planned or if this is in response to Blagojevich's recent attacks on the game?

A sub-story to this is the way that the conservative Washington Times sums up "GTA: San Andreas" saying, ""Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" follows a gang member as he shoots police officers, solicits prostitutes, beats women, steals cars and fights his way through an interactive scenario of crime plagued East Los Angeles."

For my feelings on the social aspects of the game you can read my Oct. 28 article here. What most critics consistently miss is that the human is in control of the game. Therefore, the way the human (gamer) plays through the game is more a criticism of the gamer than of the game. I didn't kill, nor solicit, one single prostitute in any of the "GTA" games. In fact, I didn't even know you could do that until Joe Lieberman kept referring to it several years ago.

And, back to the ads. I wonder if a Hooters or "Passion of the Christ" ad has ever appeared on a Chicago bus? I'd bet it has.