Grand Theft Auto V released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 systems last fall to much praise. The game is the first in the series to feature three unique protagonists that are all playable. It is the first Grand Theft Auto to feature detailed underwater environments, heists, and everything else you’ve already heard. I excluded myself from purchasing the game for several reasons, one of them being the fact that there is currently no PC version. Even if there were a PC version, I probably still wouldn’t get it.
The reason being is that, aside from all of those big additions, it’s still essentially the Grand Theft Auto we’ve come to know and love; an open-world, escape the cops, sexist parody of modern America. There has not been one female protagonist in the game, respectable or otherwise. The series has drawn a lot of controversy from how it treats women. Just about every woman seen throughout the series is either a drug addict, prostitute, annoying wife, or loose teenager. I would appreciate if, for just once, Rockstar would present us with a Grand Theft Auto that features a strong, respectable female lead.
I envision a female lead similar to Aveline de Grandpre from Assassin’s Creed Liberation HD. A woman that is respectable, yet capable of defending herself if and when necessary. A quick concept would be that of a single business woman that fell out of the industry and into a life of crime when she loses her job before the game starts (prequel story DLC anyone?).
Of course, putting a female protagonist in a video game series known for its extreme disrespect for women can and likely will hurt its’ reputation to some degree. Fans have come to expect Grand Theft Auto to contain a severe lack of respect for women. The only people complaining are feminists (which, if you couldn’t tell by this article, I am) seeking equal treatment of both sexes.
Take this article how you want. I’m merely a fan that’s lost interest in buying the game for this and other reasons. Don’t hurt me.
