GTA 6 The Game that will Destroy Gaming

 

We are four months away from the release of the much anticipated GTA 6 game. With over a decade in development this game has been hinted at for so long that many believed that it would never get released and that the franchise would die. However, Rockstar has said that they spent all that time creating a game that would revolutionize gaming as well as bring us unparallel graphics and content that would push the way we see gaming. And they are right...but for all the wrong reasons.
Rockstar Games has been showcasing all the new features of the game, the hyped up graphics and content of the game as well as its immersion that they believe the gamers have wanted from their games since the beginning. And while I admit the game does look good, and it sounds like they are going to really be making the game something...they have also came out with information that if they do, and if gamers show they are good with, will destroy gaming at its core.

 
First the game will cost 80$ for the basic version. While Nintendo did start this trend with its release of the Switch 2 and announcing that its games would be roughly 80$ per game, this is the first non Nintendo game that would push the 80$ mark. But the key here isn't the price, its the fact that its just the cost of the 'Base' version. Now Ultimate versions of games that comes with extras such as cosmetics and things of that nature is not uncommon but if that was all it was, this wouldn't have been a sticking point. What makes this a sticking point though is that the Ultimate Version which will be 100$ will unlock actual in game content that is locked out if you do not purchase the Ultimate Version.

So what is locked out? Stores, such as car customs, clothing, gun shops, certain area's of the city, and any content within that area etc. So they are going to lock out swaths of content and customization if your not willing to pay for the Ultimate Version. So it is not just skins, cosmetics, special guns, etc. it is entire gaming content that is being blocked because you decided you couldn't afford the 100$ price tag for the game.

Sadly, it gets worse. The game will require its own dedicated SSD or HD with 400GB or more storage space. So you will need to upgrade your storage and make sure its the only game on that device or it may cause problems with the game. You will be required to provide your RL Drivers License or Government Issued ID. That's right, just to play the game you need to provide some evidence that you are old enough for the game. This is due to the fact that there are a lot of stupid and dumb parents out there that probably shouldn't have children and can't be parents and ensure their kids are not doing dumb things or playing games they shouldn't be playing and then those parents suing companies. It is not the Companies job nor the Governments to raise a parents child but that is a subject matter for another time.

They are also implementing a unique policy in the game where if you are arrested in the game, your character goes to jail. And pending on your crime you will be in jail for minutes, hours, or days. During the time your in prison your game account will be locked out and you will be unable to play until your character is released from jail. While I can say the immersion factor here is quite profound...that is not the immersion factor I think they should have focused on. If anything this would just piss me off and make me quit the game.

And lastly, at least this is all the information I have at the time of this blog. They like many other companies now are going to 'Non Physical' games only. If you buy a physical copy all your getting is a game case with a code in it. You will have to download the game, then activate it with a code. Then at any point for any reason if the company decides they want to shut you off they can do it and there is nothing you can do about it. They are selling you a license to play the game and they have the right to revoke that license at any time for any reason. If you post a Facebook Post or post a YouTube video saying something negative about the game, they could shut your game down and your not able to fight it.

My final thoughts, I have been a gamer since the era of Regular Nintendo, I've seen the price hikes, the end of the Cartridge Era when everything went to disc. I've seen handhelds start as bulky devices then slim down and then go from black and white to color. I've seen games only taking MB's to taking GB's of information for storage, I've seen games then go from disc to streaming. I remember when Microsoft announced they were going to use DMR and how the gamers pushed back against it calling it unfair. Sadly, now gamers are allowing things that are much worse than DMR. We are watching gamers just giving in on large increases in game prices, increases in console prices, allowing physical games to be removed, and now watching as companies take away your right to own a game that you paid for and instead sell you a "License" to play the game...at least until they decide to shut you off and then you have no right to reclaim your money.

 
Triple A gaming companies like Sony, Microsoft, Activision, EA, UbiSoft, and others have destroyed gaming and will continue to do so until the gamer either stands up and tells them NO, or until gaming is destroyed for good. I hope it is not the latter.