Ode to Rockstar Games: The Company that Doesn't Care About Your Feelings

     If you've ever played video games, there's a strong chance you've heard about Rockstar Games. Rockstar is a video game publisher that owns a series of video game development studios spread throughout the world, and they are widely regarded some of the best studios of all time. They're the people behind the critically acclaimed, wildly successful, and incredibly controversial "Grand Theft Auto" Franchise. And that controversy about GTA is the subject of this piece. Each GTA game places you in the role of a criminal, who spends his time killing, stealing, and making the world a worse place. Most of the games in the franchise have been acclaimed by critics, with several installments listed among some of the all time greatest games. On top of being lauded by fans and critics, they also sell very well. The most recent installment in the franchise, "Grand Theft Auto 5," broke the record for fastest entertainment property to gross $1 billion. Loved by many, and record sales sound like they would make everyone happy; but despite the success, it doesn't change the fact that GTA is the most controversial series of all time.
     Over the course of the franchise, GTA has been criticized for its portrayal of violence, sex, race, cultural practices, American culture, and many more things that gets everyone upset. The games have been subject of controversy for their incredibly brutal violence. GTA5 was particularly criticized for its portrayal of women, specifically violence against women. So much so, the game was dropped by Target for some time after an online petition (although, if I had to guess I'd say none of the signers played the game, since at no point are you forced to be violent against women, it's solely player choice). The games have also been criticized for being racist, with their caricature portrayals of minorities; often stereotyping people of color. Sex has also been a talking point when it comes to GTA. The series is notorious for allowing you to hire hookers, then kill them to get your money back. GTA5 also allowed the played to go to in game strip clubs and get private dances from the performers. So in summation, for about 20 years, GTA has been the subject of nonstop controversy (much of which are topics we address in class). But the reason I truly love Rockstar as a company is because they don't give a damn what you think. Rockstar is known for its fan given philosophy, "we make good games, if you don't like them don't play them." Whether you're offended, shocked, disgusted, or insulted, they're still going to make their game. So while you may hate them for their depiction of women, race, gender, violence, sex, etc., they simply don't care about your feelings; and that's why I love them as a company.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/RockstarGames/status/787639249864630273