Rockstar North’s much anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto IV (GTA IV) certainly wasn’t going to disappoint. What shouldn’t be surprising to us is how far Rockstar have developed and have been able to widen the boundaries of the original sand-box genre they created. Consequently
GTA IV has un-doubted pushed the boundaries of exactly what can be made believable in the gaming world.
For instance, GTA San Andreas was a much more gigantic landscape and driving from point A to B could be some be some what of a nuisance. However Niko Belic (Lead character) is now equipped with what could be his most useful utility in the game. Armed with a mobile phone you’re able to call a taxi to warp you around the map, or if you feel like a ride in a police car just call 911.
For instance, GTA San Andreas was a much more gigantic landscape and driving from point A to B could be some be some what of a nuisance. However Niko Belic (Lead character) is now equipped with what could be his most useful utility in the game. Armed with a mobile phone you’re able to call a taxi to warp you around the map, or if you feel like a ride in a police car just call 911.
Another way GTA becomes something more than a figment of anyone’s imagination is the complete and high standard of the characterization and voice acting. It’s incredibly vivid and can leave you wanting to continue further through the game. Then you can understand the world that binge gamers are in it does capture your imagination. Besides, Niko isn’t your average “Brainless thug, he's a complex, believable character; at once willing to participate in crime to earn money, but also loyal and honest, with a haunted past and something of a warm heart.”
Niko Belic Is 30 year old veteran and he’s come to Liberty City to chase the “American Dream”
Niko was convinced to move to America by his cousin Roman, who claimed to be living a life of luxury, sports cars, money and women. However Niko soon discovers that he runs a failing Taxi business and has growing debts and more than one bounty on his head placed by various criminals from L City’s criminal underworld.
Though Roman has an ulterior motive he loves his cousin and is motivated by the idea of seeing him again. As well as knowing about Niko’s Values Roman intend to use Niko knowing that he will fight to clear his name In Liberty City and maybe truly live the American Dream.
Rockstar did some serious research and script writing when it came to this game, it’s no mystery why it sold over 6 Million copies on it’s opening night and has sold millions more since then.
Of course this is a Rockstar production you really don’t have to stick to the story, infact there really isn’t one to stick to. It offers a great deal of freedom, you can go on mindless killing sprees if you wish, but everyone will soon develop an idea of who they want Niko to be. It’s what makes Niko the standout character and all in all “the standout game”.
Of course this is a Rockstar production you really don’t have to stick to the story, infact there really isn’t one to stick to. It offers a great deal of freedom, you can go on mindless killing sprees if you wish, but everyone will soon develop an idea of who they want Niko to be. It’s what makes Niko the standout character and all in all “the standout game”.
Although the game can be criticized for much of it’s adult content (and it does) you’ve also got to consider how “Adult” the art is. It’s what more than most other things makes the game worth playing. There are moments when you get a thrill of doing whatever you doing instead of wishing it were real. You believe it.
The Government of the UK doesn’t discuss the issue of violent video games very much, it doesn’t seem to be a high priority. Only when such games as GTA are released does it become headlines, but it soon fades out. In my opinion this reflects the true value of the issue. (Minor Issue and people soon forget about it).
But that’s not to say they don’t care, In 2004 the government was said to have met to discuss how they were going to reduce the adult content presented to children. Although games already have a clear rating system they ‘felt they had to do more’.
Nothing seems to have come from that meeting 6 years on; Oh well, atleast they pretended to care. It’s probably more up to parents to oversee which games their children are playing.
As Negative press goes, such video games are always getting negative press. It can actually be ideal for marketing purposes, I would think it saved Rockstar a few millions on advertising. In fact a meticulous incident happened on opening night of GTA IV a teenager was mugged for his copy of Grand theft Auto IV, so reports Sky News.
SKY News: “The 18-year-old was left with a broken jaw after his copy of the new Grand Theft Auto IV game was snatched close to his home in Leyland, Lancashire.
He was pounced on after leaving the town's Blockbuster video store with his copy.
The much-lauded Grand Theft Auto IV has become the fastest-selling console game since it was released on April 29.
Oliver Aindow, 18, of Kingswood Road, Leyland, and Marc Hughes, 21, of Herbert Street, Leyland, have been charged with robbery, a Lancashire Police spokesman said.
The pair were remanded into custody and are due to before Chorley Magistrates.
The GTA series has been heavily criticised for its depiction of casual violence, drug dealing and prostitution.
The latest game follows gangster Niko Bellic on crime missions around fictional Liberty City.
Players win points for stealing cars, doing drug deals and shooting police officers.”
Of course this is criticising as it goes, I find it highly typical that they would leave out all the rest of Niko’s better qualities and virtues, nothing about being sensitive and empathetic. Well that’s business as usual.
Marketing
- Guerilla Marketing is a system of promotions that relies on time, energy and imagination rather than a big marketing budget. Classically, guerrilla marketing operations are unanticipated and unusual; potentially interactive; and consumers are targeted in unexpected places
- The purpose of Guerilla marketing is to make a distinctive, appealing and stimulating concept to create abuzz, and therefore turn viral.
- Guerilla marketing involves extraordinary approaches such as cut off encounters in public places, street give-aways, PR stunts, and any unconventional marketing intended to get maximum results from minimal resources. More ground-breaking approaches to Guerrilla marketing now exploit cutting edge mobile digital equipment to really connect with the consumer and build a memorable brand experience.
Wikipedia Definition of Guerilla Marketing
“The concept of guerrilla marketing was invented as an unconventional system of promotions that relies on time, energy and imagination rather than a big marketing budget. Typically, guerrilla-marketing campaigns are unexpected and unconventional; guerrilla marketing is to create a unique, engaging and thought-provoking concept to generate buzz, and consequently turn viral. The term was coined and defined by Jay Conrad Levinson in his book Guerrilla Marketing. The term has since entered the popular vocabulary and marketing textbooks. Guerrilla marketing involves unusual approaches such as intercept encounters in public places, street giveaways of products, PR stunts, any unconventional marketing intended to get maximum results from minimal resources. More innovative approaches to Guerrilla marketing now utilize cutting edge mobile digital technologies to really engage the consumer and create a memorable brand experience."
Press, TV & Billboard Advertising.
- TV and digital advertising reaches a wide audience around the world and is the primary form of - advertisement for major companies in the 21st Century.
- TV ads will always present a product and brand name in a positive light and usually involves a situation or role play of some sort.
- TV Advertisement is designed to constantly remind people of a brand name, so that when they see it, they may buy for many reasons. One may be that they just liked the Ad
- Billboard Advertising uses large outstanding images that can be seen sometimes from miles away through cities.
- They are used to reach people who are out doing their daily business, maybe carrying money and people at their work place.
- Press Advertising, using newspapers and other media formats to reach a particular audience type is used to enhance the image of a brand or product to the people it's meant for.
Internet & Web Viral Marketing
Web and Viral marketing is the most modern brand of of advertising. In particular Rockstar North Used the web site "http://www.rockstargames.com/IV/" in an innovative and interactive manner to give a sense intense anticipation and keeping the public on the edge of their seats vividly aware of the coming release of the game.
Rockstar also have an online social club for fans who want to keep up with the latest updates and projects. "http://socialclub.rockstargames.com/"
You tube, highly popular for various channel hosting and vlogging was probably better than the GTA IV website itself,
gaining the game much more desired publicity than any other place on the web.Rockstar continuously and intentionally drip fed it's fans with short exhilarating trailers of the game which left them wanting more.
Here are a couple of examples.
"Everyone's a rat (Not me..)"
(The video Is being proceed)
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Grand Theft Auto Grand Wagon IV
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Grand Theft Auto Grand Wagon IV
