I think it's proof that video game violence IS an issue -- in that many people who enjoy video games want the violence included. But more importantly, the game's success is proof that video games are now our preferred form of entertainment; more than movies, tv, books, or even the internet. It isn't enough for us anymore to just watch. We want the full immersive experience; we want to be in the story.

With GTA, I don't think the issue is so much violence (you're living life as a criminal after all) as interactive pixulated digital sex that is getting crtics everywhere hot and bothered.

For those who believe GTA's mature content is unconscionable, I like to ask why raunchy/violent TV shows and movies are acceptable, where kids can easily access without parental supervision, but not video games?

it never was, that's like saying violence in movies is an issue. We can't sensor everything.

Censor*

The country is still divided on this issue. Which means there is as much of market for non-violent games as violent games. With the election and the war, the national media is pretty well saturated with news, so GTA didn't catch the flak it might have two years ago.

“Buy when there’s blood in the streets.”

Probably the other way around

I would say that video game violence is still an issue. While I am not an advocate for censorship, I am concerned as to why video games need to be this realistic in the first place. Yes, one could argue that there is violence in movies and television, but televised violence does not involve the same level of interactivity as a game like Grand Theft Auto. The violence level is probably not as big an issue as it was in the past (see: Mortal Kombat) but there are still eyebrows raised about the kind of mixed message we as a society send out when we condone virtual violence and faux-graphic sex and yet protest acts of real-world aggression.