Grand Theft Auto: Teacher by day, gangster by night

Grand Theft Auto and I go way back, all the way to the days of the original Playstation.  I didn't seriously play it, but I remember zipping around trying to elude the police.  I think I've played every GTA  game since the original (except for GTA V--c'mon with the PC port already!) You're probably thinking "wait, you're a school teacher.  What are you doing playing a game that encourages criminal behavior?"  I'm having a good time, playing the role of a criminal in a video game.  Let me explain.

GTA has been a controversial title since it's initial release way back in the 90's.  A lot of anti-video game types claimed that it was too violent and encouraged people (meaning kids) to act out.  I've never really felt that way about it.  To me GTA is a sort of roleplaying game, it just so happens that role is of a character involved in criminal activities.  After playing it I've never felt the urge to buy an AK-47 and gun down a bunch of people or go on a high speed chase.  I would bet that most people feel the same way.  I think GTA offers people a chance to step into the character of an anti-hero and do all those criminal things that they would never do in real life.  (Forrest Gump voice) That's all I have to say about that.

What do I like best about GTA?  Driving.  I love getting into the different vehicles and speeding through the cities, which is kind of weird because I'm not really into driving or racing games.  I like how each vehicle handles differently and you have to adjust to it.  It's always fun to look for the best vehicles in the game and then to steal them.

Another aspect I like, which I think a lot of people would question, are the stories in the game.  Playing as CJ in GTA:  San Andreas and navigating the gang scene that seems reminiscent of early-mid 90's inner-city LA, was enjoyable.  Niko Bellic in GTA IV is a real "American dream" type of story--an immigrant who comes to the U.S. and wants to have a better life.  I had fun helping these characters through their struggle to rise to the top.

I can't say I like everything about GTA, but I think all the negative attention this series has attracted is unwarranted.  If you don't like what the games are about, don't buy them.  It's that simple.  (You are missing out on some seriously fun gaming though)