Cheers and fears as Grand Theft Auto IV revs at starting line

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) — "Grand Theft Auto IV" hits streets on Tuesday and is expected to race into record books as the fastest-selling video game ever despite being tailed by critics condemning its violent themes.

Rockstar Games is predicted to sell at least six million copies of "GTA IV: Liberty City" in its first week, with die-hard fans eager to play the game in which triumph depends on acts such as carjacking, gambling and killing.

"This is going to be the game of the year," video game industry analyst Edward Woo at Wedbush Morgan Securities told AFP.

Rockstar Games and its GTA franchise are a focal point for critics that fear violence in video games warps the minds of young players and turns them into real-world thugs or killers.

The Entertainment...