Grand Theft AutoWhat Parents Should Know About the Game GTA VI

What kind of game is Grand Theft Auto?

The first GTA game was released in 1997 and laid the foundation for one of the most successful video game series of all time. To date, more than 470 million games in the series have been sold worldwide. The most recent installment in the series, GTA V, has been particularly successful, accounting for about half of all copies sold. A key factor in this success is also GTA V’s online mode, which has been regularly updated with new content for years and remains extremely popular.

The GTA games typically center on characters embroiled in a world of crime, violence, and illegal activities. Players take on the roles of these characters and complete missions that involve, among other things, planning heists, stealing cars, or committing murders. A key feature of GTA is its open-world environment. Players can explore the large cities and their surrounding areas with a great deal of freedom. In addition to the main missions, players can use a variety of vehicles, try out mini-games, or simply explore the world and decide for themselves what they want to do there.

GTA deliberately allows for a great deal of freedom. For example, players can run over pedestrians, shoot city residents, or engage in high-speed chases with the police. It is precisely this combination of a vast open world and the freedom to try out all sorts of things and see what happens that is a major reason for the game’s popularity.

GTA is clearly aimed at adults. Crime and violence are integral parts of the plot and shape the entire gaming experience. The missions involve, among other things , robberies, shootouts, and other criminal acts. The player characters have access to numerous weapons that can be used not only against enemies but also against other people in the game world. In addition, the games feature frequent coarse language and adult humor. They also repeatedly address topics such as drugs, prostitution, and sexuality.

The GTA game world is therefore not a neutral or even child-friendly “playground, ” but is characterized by violence, crime, and other adult content. Most of the main installments in the series have been rated by the Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (USK) . A corresponding age rating is therefore also expected for GTA VI.

Why is there so much hype surrounding GTA VI?

Fans have been eagerly awaiting GTA VI for a long time. After all, 13 years have passed since the release of GTA V. The multiple delays in the release of GTA VI have further intensified the buzz surrounding the game. A trailer for the game was viewed 475 million views. And when a video featuring the first gameplay footage was shown on Netflix, it immediately jumped to No. 1 the Netflix charts.

Given the immense popularity of the GTA series and the hype surrounding the release of GTA VI, the game is expected to play a major role on platforms like YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok. The open-world setting is perfect for videos and short clips because unusual or spectacular situations can arise at any moment. Streamers and influencers will also produce a large amount of content about this game, as anything related to GTA VI promises high view counts.

So children and teens don’t even have to play GTA VI themselves to come into contact with content from the game. It’s more likely that they’ll see clips on social media, watch their favorite streamers play GTA, or be exposed to the game through friends.

What fascinates children about GTA VI?

The release of GTA VI is a global media phenomenon. When a game is suddenly the talk of the town everywhere, it’s only natural that children and teens will want to know what it’s all about.

For some children, the game world itself may be interesting. Others are familiar with GTA from the countless videos on social media or through streamers’ “Let’s Plays.” Some just want to know what their friends are talking about. And for others, it may simply be important to be able to join in on a topic that everyone is currently discussing.

However, just because this interest is understandable doesn’t mean parents have to approve of it or allow their children access to the game. It can help to first understand exactly what it is about GTA that interests the child. Maybe it’s simply about being able to join the conversation in the schoolyard. Or maybe children actually want to play the game themselves. The following tips are intended to help parents deal with their child’s interest.

What can parents do if their child is interested in GTA VI?

1. Find out more about their interest
   Ask what exactly interests your child about GTA and how they came across it. Has your child watched videos of GTA VI themselves? Does their favorite streamer play the game? Are the other kids at school talking about it? Maybe your child just wants to know what everyone is talking about right now so they can join the conversation. Learn about the game together. Don’t dismiss your child’s interest. However, you can clearly state when you feel certain content is inappropriate.
2. Watch content together
   If your child has already seen a clip or video, you can watch it together. Have your child explain what they find interesting or funny about it. This will give you an idea of the kind of content your child is exposed to. And it creates an opportunity to discuss and make sense of what you’ve seen together.
3. Set limits when content is inappropriate
   Even if you understand why your child is interested in GTA, you don’t have to allow them to access all of its content. If you believe that GTA VI or certain elements of it are not appropriate for your child, you should make that clear. Above all, it’s important that your child understands why you’re setting this boundary. The USK age rating can be a good starting point for a conversation. It provides parents with a clear explanation of why certain games or content aren’t suitable for younger children.
   Depending on where your child encountered inappropriate content, you can also check whether there are technical settings that can protect them from further exposure.
4. Offer your child suitable video game alternatives
   Unfortunately, there is no direct alternative to GTA that is appropriate for children or teenagers, as the game is too heavily characterized by violence and adult themes. However, if a child is interested in certain elements of the game, parents can work together to find age-appropriate games that address that interest.
   Perhaps the child isn’t interested in the aspects of violence and crime at all, but rather in freely exploring a city, in car races and car chases, or in being able to decide for themselves what to do and try things out in an open-world game. For such interests, there are alternative games aimed at younger players. Parents can find recommendations for age-appropriate games, for example, at the NRW Game Guide.