In a development that should surprise absolutely nobody, Grand Theft Auto IV released to a boatload of favorable press, shattered sales records, and even some “Game of the Year” rumblings. It’s a fantastic game and, beneath the hype, a high watermark for an immersive gaming experience that could only be achieved on this generation’s consoles.
Jonathan Kent’s op-ed reaction at GameDaily Biz is certainly worth a read. He doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to how important the success of GTAIV could be – not just for Take 2, but the industry as a whole. It’s a watershed moment for games, being treated as a legitimate entertainment event, on par with the biggest Hollywood blockbusters. It’s the type of reaction that the hardest of hardcore gamers and industry pundits have been clamoring for.
I only wonder if Kent’s piece was about a month premature. If stellar response to GTAIV signified a turning point in the media’s (and the public at large) perception of games as an entertainment medium and an industry, then what will happen when Wii Fit launches?
It’s entirely possible that reaction to Wii Fit will eclipse even GTAIV’s lofty media headspace. It’s been one big public love-in for the Wii since before launch, and the innovative “get off the couch and swing the remote” elements of Wii Sports are STILL landing great ink in local papers nationwide, not to mention books like AARP and Reader’s Digest. Imagine that, coupled with this country’s love affair with fitness and well-being.
Besides all that, the big N still tugs on people’s hearts in a way that the GTA franchise never could. If you can inspire this level of dedication from loyal fans, you must e doing something right:
