Imagination Case

Is Grand Theft Auto Five (GTA 5) the new ideal of life? GTA 5 is an open world action-adventure video game developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. The article by Keith Stuart, following the release of the new GTA video game, suggests that the mentality and state of life presented in the video game is representative of our modern society. Its appeal is in its danger; a place where the kill-at-will, sexualized fantasy world of interactive entertainment is let loose in fictional cities based on real-world places. Set in Los Santos, the game provides the violence and action analogous to that found in some modern cities such as Los Angeles. GTA 5 is an open-world video game with 3 main characters;Michael the middle aged thug; Trevor a sociopath who bakes meth out in the desert;and Franklin who is trying to leave his gang infested neighbourhood behind. Modern society has turned into a Hollywood movie, these games have become an over dramatic representation of what people view as a 'fun life'. From this article one can induce in the game, the structure of society: how people are categorized into social class and the components that react within society that influence the structure. One can also determine where society stands in human history, and what varieties of people now prevail in society and in this period of time. These topics help sociologists discover how and why people interact with one another the way they do in a group setting. The article touches on how civilization in the game as a whole looks at life in a different way.

Through-out GTA 5 the social structure is similar in the game to that of our society. Crime and violence stand out as what can and will make a person successful and as a life path that everyone in society should aspire to follow. Many of the components that lend to the development of this social structure are the reliance and glamor placed on crime and violence, the easiness and quickness of the results compared to the traditional office job, and how closely it ties into the delusion of the American dream. The credence and charm that is placed on crime is evident through-out the game. The objective in the game is to complete a set of tasks (most of which are illegal) to acquire wealth. Violence and crime is almost worshiped by the people in the game, it is the way of life and without which many of the characters would not be as well off socially and financially as they are. This adds to the fascination and attractiveness of felony and violence, one commits either and is rewarded. The structure provides an 'us' and 'them' mentality which fuels the contempt for those who 'have' and a jealousy that leads to the use of violence and crime to obtain remuneration. The reliance and the appeal of crime and violence are directly related to how easy and quick the results of the life of a criminal are. For example one could work hard in an office for their whole life and not make close to one million dollars, or one could take a risk and double maybe even triple the amount they could have made in their whole life through a single or series of heists. Everyone wants to have money, and the quick and easy way though morally wrong and dangerous appeals to those in the society of GTA 5. The reason that this appeals to those in this society is the desire to achieve the American dream: an important component of the character's standing within their fraternity.

GTA 5 is a similar extension of modern life and morals where certain actions are exaggerated. In real life society, crime and violence are usually rewarded with punishment, and committing these crimes will get you nowhere. In our society people often use 'white collar' crime to increase their wealth, however, they usually do not commit physical crimes such as robbing a bank. Corporate crime in our society is the type of crime that is committed to create wealth; it is "any conduct of a corporation, or of its representatives/employees acting on the corporations behalf, that is criminal, civil, or administrative violation." (Anderson) These misdeeds are a common way people use crimes for personal gain. The crimes committed in GTA 5 are the opposite type of crimes that are happening in our society.

The people in GTA 5 produce a society