GTAIV trailer irks NYC mayor

By Tim Surette, GameSpotPosted Apr 1, 2007 7:53 pm PT

Officials in New York City voice disgust with new teaser for Rockstar's game, say similarities between game's setting and Big Apple are only visual.

Late last week, Rockstar Games released the first trailer for its highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto IV. Though bare on gameplay details, the trailer did reveal one of the game's most asked questions--its setting.

Advertisements, store names, and other items in the simulated city read "Liberty City," the very same city featured in the controversial franchise's break-out hit Grand Theft Auto III and debut on the PlayStation Portable. The city's layout and character were influenced by New York City, and modeling each games' setting after a real-world city has become a bit of a tradition. Vice City from GTAIII's follow-up was a nod to Miami, Florida, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was set on turf reminiscent of Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

A familiar-looking building takes up residence in Liberty City.

However, this new look at Liberty City featured some landmarks that look incredibly similar to places only found in New York (which is where Rockstar Games' US headquarters are located), such as the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Empire State Building.

While most gamers were excited about going on a virtual crime spree through a next-generation Liberty City, New York officials are already voicing their disdain for the game and saying the similarities are only cosmetic, reports the Associated Press.

"The mayor does not support any video game where you earn points for injuring or killing police officers," New York mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a statement.

New York police commissioner Raymond Kelly doesn't care where the game is set. "It's despicable to glamorize violence in games like these, regardless of how far-fetched the setting may be," he told the AP.

Grand Theft Auto IV is scheduled for release this October. For more information, read GameSpot's previous coverage.

839 Comments

Refresh comments

To post a comment:

Sign in / Sign up
or sign in through facebook

First to Last
Latest

prev next

grimzeus
Posted Apr 1, 2007 9:07 pm PT

Will someone please tell this guy that the plot of the game isn't walking around shooting cops.
- agree 0
- disagree 0
- = 0
- Sign in to rate this comment
DarkSan00
Posted Apr 1, 2007 9:08 pm PT

I agree with holhardy
- agree 0
- disagree 0
- = 0
- Sign in to rate this comment
dyaballikl
Posted Apr 1, 2007 9:08 pm PT

omg, get your facts straight!!! that's the chrysler building in nyc, not the empire state!!! lamespot.
- agree 0
- disagree 0
- = 0
- Sign in to rate this comment
nolsinkler
Posted Apr 1, 2007 9:08 pm PT

Wait...this isn't an April Fools Day joke?
- agree 0
- disagree 0
- = 0
- Sign in to rate this comment
VonDouche
Posted Apr 1, 2007 9:10 pm PT

Boo-hoo, my city is in a GTA game. Isn't there a war or something your ass should be worried about?
- agree 0
- disagree 0
- = 0
- Sign in to rate this comment
Titanfan2083
Posted Apr 1, 2007 9:11 pm PT

this is so hard to tell if its real or not.......................
- agree 0
- disagree 0
- = 0
- Sign in to rate this comment
Duminakan89
Posted Apr 1, 2007 9:11 pm PT

I really won't waste y time listening to these guys when they haven't even played the game; also I live in New York and I find it funny that they're worried about GTA 4 when there are a lot of other things, worse things that they allow and actually solicitate as politicians, who we all know are dirty to begin with.
- agree 0
- disagree 0
- = 0
- Sign in to rate this comment
fisher289
Posted Apr 1, 2007 9:11 pm PT

months upon months until its out and it already has people angry about it lol
- agree 0
- disagree 0
- = 0
- Sign in to rate this comment
skylerpwns
Posted Apr 1, 2007 9:12 pm PT

I guess the countless number of violent movies set in New York just don't count.
- agree 0
- disagree 0
- = 0
- Sign in to rate this comment
Ryosagi
Posted Apr 1, 2007 9:12 pm PT

Its not April fools people, already covered on Gamepolitics before April 1st. Gamespot is just late with their news.
- agree 0
- disagree 0
- = 0
- Sign in to rate this comment
graze81
Posted Apr 1, 2007 9:12 pm PT

OK, so it's OK for Godzilla for destroy NYC, it's OK for "The Day After Tomorrow" to level NYC, but a video game? No thats not allowed, give me a break!
- agree 0
- disagree 0
- = 0
- Sign in to rate this comment
gamesrmybusines
Posted Apr 1, 2007 9:13 pm PT

well that's a relief since you don't get points for killing cops
- agree 0
- disagree 0
- = 0
- Sign in to rate this comment
erik_r
Posted Apr 1, 2007 9:15 pm PT

Um... have they heard of True Crime: NEW YORK CITY?
- agree 0
- disagree 0
- = 0
- Sign in to rate this comment
hiddendeathxyz
Posted Apr 1, 2007 9:16 pm PT

Someone needs to just cut this company a break, haven't they been through enough.
- agree 0
- disagree 0
- = 0
- Sign in to rate this comment
VixDiesel
Posted Apr 1, 2007 9:16 pm PT

Bahm Bloomberg is the only mayor who bought his way into office after Rudy. No one wanted Rusy to leave. Bloomberg is an idiot. He's handled so much stuff so wrong. Look at the Shawn Bell shooting. What a disater that is.
- agree 0
- disagree 0
- = 0
- Sign in to rate this comment
zeecorner
Posted Apr 1, 2007 9:16 pm PT

wow, im really surprised that 2k still publishes this! I mean they make a ton of money, but seriously the drama!!
- agree 0
- disagree 0
- = 0
- Sign in to rate this comment
jkwasny9
Posted Apr 1, 2007 9:16 pm PT

wtf, I hate people lol. Im just playing, but sometimes people get under my skin. If the mayor of NYC is worried that the people in the city think he supports the shooting of cops, something went wrong way before this trailer came out lol. Just my humble opinion on the matter.
- agree 0
- disagree 0
- = 0
- Sign in to rate this comment
amplizine
Posted Apr 1, 2007 9:17 pm PT

[This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]
- agree 0
- disagree 0
- = 0
- Sign in to rate this comment
lukefartedagain
Posted Apr 1, 2007 9:17 pm PT

gamesrmybusines, I agree. If anything, killing or hurting cops is bad for you. You can get arrested and lose some of your money. The point of the game isn't to kill cops. Although you have the freedom to do so, there are consequences for doing it. Politicians don't seem to understand that....
- agree 0
- disagree 0
- = 0
- Sign in to rate this comment
DirtyRotten
Posted Apr 1, 2007 9:18 pm PT

For the love of crumb cake, is there really nothing more important in this world for politicians to devote their time to. Do the media and politicians pick from a hat every 6 years what they plan on wasting time and money over? Is this all just to focus attention from real issues in the world where it's all fubar because of of screw ups and lack of giving a damn? .. in the words of Duckman "RANT! RANT! RANT!"
- agree 0
- disagree 0
- = 0
- Sign in to rate this comment