MADD wants GTA IV labeled AO because of the drunk driving, but is perfectly fine with the rest of the content.

Apologies for yet another Grand Theft Auto IV article, but it seems to be generating all the headlines this week.

There's been a lot of talk from the mainstream media about GTAIV, most of it of the informed quality one would expect.  It's easily ignored, seeing as there are only so many hours in the day and there are things that matter to deal with, but MADD went above and beyond the call of duty to get a response.  This is copied and pasted from their media page-

"Each year nearly 13,500 people die in drunk driving crashes and another half a million are injured in alcohol-related traffic crashes. This is why MADD is extremely disappointed by the decision of the manufacturers of the game Grand Theft Auto IV to include a game module where players can drive drunk. Drunk driving is not a game and it is not a joke. Drunk driving is a choice, a violent crime and it is also 100 percent preventable. MADD is calling on the Entertainment Software Ratings Board to reclassify Grand Theft Auto IV as an Adults Only game, a step up from the current rating of Mature and for the manufacturer to consider a stop in distribution – if not out of responsibility to society then out of respect for the millions of victims/survivors of drunk driving."

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The biggest game ever - or, the not-nearly-perfect perfect experience.

So Grand Theft Auto IV has officially arrived on the Xbox 360 and PS3 with all of the appropriate accoutrements. Namely, breathless news reports mentioning sex with hookers, cop killing, and the general decline and fall of western civilization. There are also the obligatory stories citing midnight madness in far-flung places like England and Australia, where evidently a couple of poor saps got beaten up for their copies of the game. Not that this ever happens in any other scenario. Ever.

What all of these fail to really discuss is the content of a game that's a cultural touchstone, giving players extraordinary freedom in an ugly, hateful environment where everyone is out to screw everyone else and grift is a way of life and death. 

In the midst of the enthusiast media falling all over itself awarding perfect 10s across the board and unprecedented sales that may even stave off EA's hostile takeover of Take-Two, it's easy to lose sight of the fact that most of us are just getting started in the mean streets of Liberty City.

Few people are bigger GTA fanboys than yours truly, having played and thoroughly enjoyed each and every title in the series since the groundbreaking GTA III. While I am enjoying so much of what the latest, next-generation version has to offer, I have been unpleasantly surprised by a few things that really should never have happened.

First of all, let's be clear - it is IMPOSSIBLE to read text messages, phone records, or anything else on your cell phone. Now, I haven't gotten very far, and I know that your cell gets upgraded as you move forward, but still. This is ridiculous. I've got a 40-inch hi-def TV, and I have to get about 3 feet away and squint just to read the incredibly small text. It's not just me and my old-man eyes, either. I've spoken with half a dozen other people who have the same complaint. How could this have been the final game design for such a crucial driver of missions and relationships?

Secondly, the map at the lower left of the screen is also incredibly small. Not only is it somewhat out of scale with what's going on on-screen (meaning you miss turns and key intersections all the time until you learn to compensate…which usually is a result of a failed mission or two), but terribly important icon markers for Pay-n-Sprays, safe houses, and other spots are indistinguishable from each other.

I have no problem saying I love GTA IV, and it is a spectacular visual feast. Driving and walking around the city is an exercise in wonder. I just can't believe that these huge problems made their way to the final game (and I can't possibly imagine how someone with an SDTV could even think about playing without losing their minds). 

Light-hearted spoof aimed at Rockstar's hottest release of the year.

Although I've played previous GTA installments in the past, this will probably be the first one I plan to play through completion. Blame it on my addiction to achievements. Anyways, I can't think of any gamer on the planet who isn't eager to get their hands on GTA4, set to release next week on April 29th.

If you're not even the least bit excited, when's the last time you checked your pulse? Anyways, in lieu of this highly anticipated release, the folks at Crackle have published a short parody sketch which takes a few innocent pot shots at GTA4. Get the inside look at what goes on at a mo-cap company trying to move up in the corporate world and… well, you'll have to watch the clip to find out more.

GTA4 is in all our hearts…

We tried to embed the video but due to technical difficulties (sorry!), you'll have to settle for the good 'ol fashioned link which can be accessed here. Enjoy and have a great weekend folks!

Now this is how you fix a mistake.

Okami is one of the prettiest games available, but the Wii version shipped with a blemish right on the front cover.  By Amaterasu's mouth you can plainly see an IGN watermark, complete with compass and logo.  Even worse, a quick scan at my local Gamestop the other day showed that the preview box art had it on there too, meaning there was plenty of time to catch and fix this error.  Oops!

It was a silly error, and Capcom is manning up to it with free replacement covers for all.  Head on over to Capcom's website to snag one of three different covers for your game, free for the asking and no receipt necessary.  One is the original art and back cover copy without that pesky watermark or unsightly Play Magazine score, but the other two are full wraparound art without even a Wii logo to mar them.  Prettify your Wii copy or replace the original PS2 cover, they're system agnostic.

While you're indulging in appreciation for Okami's amazing style, it's worth dropping in to Okami Art for a look around.  The art book they're promoting is pretty tempting.

Enter before your planet is obliterated.

Hear me humans! It is I… Crrrrrypto the Magnificent. (Ahem… well, at least back on my home planet that is). *ahem* It's come to my attention that the leader of this editorial establishment has planned a special ceremony in my honor.

I was hoping for the destruction of your puny world; a few vaporized here and there… nothing too major. *sigh* Alas, Bahn has settled an idea would not involve any loss of life. A contest featuring my virtual adventures in the all new Destroy All Humans! Big Willy Unleashed.

This happens to be my third video game for those of you keeping count. :p

Many will enter, but only a few fortunate souls will be victorious.

• First place winners will receive an official retail copy of the game for the Nintendo Wii.
• Second place winners will receive a T-shirt. [Click here for a peek ].
• Third place winners will receive a bobble head. [We don't have any visual references for you hu-mans. Use your imagination.]

That's nine chances to own a piece of my legacy! We've arranged the rules to be so simple. Send us your full name and a valid email address to contests@got-next.com with the subject header "Destroy All Humans: Big Willy Unleashed Giveway". Entries must be received no later than April 1, 2008, 11:59 EST. That gives you all more than enough time to stop polishing your guns and preparing for the inevitable destruction of your home planet. Good luck to all!

Official Rules:

Only one entry per household. Contest winners will receive an email indicating they've won. The selected winner MUST reply within 72 hours in order to claim their prize. In the event the selected winner(s) do not respond, GotNext will randomly select another winner. GotNext members and their family members are ineligible to enter this promotional giveaway.