You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here Contents hide Ever since release, the Grand Theft Auto series has been tainted by old media as a pathway to real world violence, despite studies often proving the opposite to be true. With the GTA 6 release date primed for Fall 2025, the same tired arguments are being thrown at the upcoming open world game.Releasing later this year for PS5 and Xbox Series consoles, with a PC version sometime in the future, Rockstar Games open world game is the most realistic looking entry in the almost 30-year old franchise. With this in mind, some media outlets are perpetuating the same old worry that the games violent nature will result in more violent actions in real life.GTA 6 publisher pushes back against violent video game claimsIn an interview with CNBC (Paywalled), Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick was asked about the games violent crimes and how they will impact the real world. Speaking on the pay-walled Squawk Box segment, Zelnick explained that hes not worried about the games violence influencing people to commit horrific acts. Save Up to $1,200 on the Samsung Galaxy S25! Pre-order now and save big with trade-in and Samsung credit. Limited time only! *Includes trade-in value + $300 Samsung credit. To be clear: entertainment doesnt create behaviour, entertainment reflects behaviour, the CEO said. Entertainment gives people an opportunity to release feelings, engage in feelings, entertainment tells stories. The notion [that] entertainment creating behaviour has been tested and disproved over and over again.Zelnick explained that people watch violent shows all the time that show far more realistic violence against real actors than video games ever have, but theyre not blamed anymore. Must-Listen: Publishing Manor Lords w/ Joe Robinson VideoGamer Podcast Listen Now When you watch TV and movies from any time [period] theyre very realistic looking so Im not worried about photorealistic video games, the Take-Two executive explained.Every GTA game has been the subject of the exact same violent video game controversy since the original release in 1997. While it is true that the games are more photorealistic than ever before, the link between violent video games has been disproven countless times. Video game violence has been the scapegoat for tragedies such as the Columbine Massacre for decades, but they have never truly been the cause.For more Grand Theft Auto news, check out the new GTA Vice City fan remake that runs like a dream on Steam Deck, a reality that would make Joe Lierberman cry.Grand Theft Auto 6Platform(s):PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox Series XGenre(s):Action, Action AdventureSubscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share