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I couldn't have said it better myself, and can only hope more games follow suit.

Clever satire

What really makes Grand Theft Auto IV "mature," more than even its racy content perhaps, is its witty parody of American excessiveness; its flamboyant commentary on social and political issues; and its piercing ridicule of any and all ethnicity. It's difficult to find such satire in games, yet here it is: smart, current, wide in scope and comical. And the punches are delivered in copious amounts and in all manner of distribution: billboards, restaurant names, advertisements and several hours' worth of fake talk radio and multichannel television programming replete with bogus commercials. Twenty hours into the game, I have rarely heard repeats, and I am still discovering new media -- a first for gaming in my book.

These elements should not be overlooked because of the controversy over offensive content. Rather, they should be applauded. While I understand the responses triggered by some of the content found in Grand Theft Auto IV, I can't deny what's been accomplished with its release.

See also:

On the Bright Side: An Introduction
Better Living Through Videogames
Not Every Politician Hates Videogames