"GTA V" Actors Respond To Video Game Violence

"You definitely don't want 'GTA' raising your children."

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Complex Original

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The voice actors of Grand Theft Auto V's have responded to accusations that the game promotes and "glamorizes violence." In an interview with PC Advisor the actors responded to concerns that the game is promoting real-world violence.

Ned Luke, who plays the depressed mid-life crisis bank robber Michael De Santa, says "Anyone who has any conception at all about the games and hasn't played them should go play the games before they open their mouths."

"The biggest misconception is that it glamorizes violence." Says Luke, "It really doesn't. If you look at my character, Michael, he's rich, but he's a miserable man. Even in the commercials you see that. This is a guy who's struggling with his life's decisions." Luke continues, "If you want to take something out the game, take out of it that here's a guy who loves his family, who's kind of lost. He's trying to hold it together." Luke says in the interview that he doesn't allow his 11 year-old son play Grand Theft Auto V, because it's rated mature for a reason.

Steven Ogg, who plays the meth-head maniac Trevor Philips, also explains his reaction to the game's detractors:"The hypocrisy drives me crazy," he says. "It just sets the wrong focus. Why not talk about gun control? Why not talk about parenting? Why not talk of lack of family values? There are so many other things to talk about."

Shawn Fonteno, who plays the too smart for his own good Franklin Clinton, believes that the source of the public’s misconception stems from the belief that Rockstar made a game for children, GTA V is not.

"People already have it in their mind that GTA is for kids because it's a game," said Fonteno. "Then they hear about the violence and they're instantly going to attack because it's a game. Now, if it was a movie it would be a different story and these same people would be out there supporting it. GTA V is like a movie.  Once they get the game in their hands, they'll see. It says it big as day-Mature. It's not for the kids to go get. It's for mature audiences only. If kids get it, then that's on their parents."

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[Via IGN]

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