NC "reporter" decides GTA4 is "over the line".

Langston Wertz Jr., a reporter for the Charlotte Observer, has decided after not playing GTA4 that it's too sexy and should be sold only to those over 18.

"The new game, among other things, allows players to choose one of three prostitutes for various forms of sex in a car. It graphically displays simulated group sex in a strip club. The images are about in line with something you might see after midnight on certain movie channels."

Which channels? Perhaps Mr. Wertz Jr. would care to elaborate, as I haven't taken the same care to catalog the times and stations of these types of sex programs as he has. He continues:

"The question is: Why is this in a video game?"

Now I find it hard to believe that someone who has been reviewing video games for 10 years has never heard of adults playing them? Maybe he's been shopping the same place that Swag and Noir do, or maybe the truth is far more sinister:

"I haven't played "GTA IV" yet, but..."

AHA!!! Finally a nugget of truth. Nothing like jumping to conclusions based on something that someone else posted, eh Langston? That's the laziest journalism of all. The question is: Why didn't Rockstar send you a review copy? Perhaps it has something to do with your inability to distinguish between a review and a rant. Or maybe with your ability to conjure new content ratings out of thin air? A real reviewer would know there is no "X" on the ESRB scale.

I too realize that controversy can help game sales, but posting this sensationalist piece under your newspaper's banner is pretty irresponsible, even if it is a blog. The sad thing is your 'official' story about your perceived controversy surrounding this game is no better. "No one under 21 should play this game or even see it played"? Please. Maybe it's you who shouldn't be playing mature games. Back to Madden with you!