Obama talks GTA IV

Barack Obama has referred to the record-breaking sales of Grand Theft Auto IV, and - shock - hasn't bashed it. Well not really, anyway.

According to a transcript sent in toGamePolitics, Obama mentioned the game in a speech in Indiana: "I was just catching the news this morning about Grand Theft Auto, this video game, which is gonna break all records and make goo-gobs of money for whoever designed it.

"Now, this isn't intended for kids, although I promise you there are kids who are playing it."

At least he understands the concept of the M rating. Then he goes on to say:

"But these video games are raising our kids. Across the board, middle-class, upper-class, working-class kids, they're spending a huge amount of their time not on their studies, but on entertainment.

"And so part of our job is going to have to be to inspire the entire country to say, 'How are we giving our kids a thirst for knowledge?' And turning off the TV set, and getting them to be engaged and interested, like their future really does matter on how well they do in school."

Which is a fair point. We're not sure if being fair is going to do much for his campaign, though. To quote GamesRadarSenior Editor Joe McNeilly: "Calming voice of reason? Good luck with that- Americans like their meat red, their beer cold and their politicians hysterical."

Courtesy of CVG.

May 1, 2008