This is true, people seem to be far more enamoured with the idea of GTA games than the actual playing of them. Like "look, you can have sex with a prostitute and then kill her to get your money back!" Yes, you can do some approximation of that in-game, but is it fun to play that scenario out? Do the gameplay mechanics make the actions fun to accomplish? I find just about every aspect of GTA to be either average or sub-standard. The combat/shooting is poor and done miles better in other games, same for the driving, story, character development, player agency, presentation and more. But people seem to cling to the "idea" that "you're a bad man doing the bad things, lel" and that is what makes it fun for them. Yes, you did just steal a car from a helpless old lady and throw her to the street, but for what? So you can now play a crappy approximation/"simulation " of driving?

Anyway, sorry about the rant. Review scores haven't swayed me for years now, especially after GTAIV, the last time I gave GTA a chance.

I think more people than ever are hooked on the number. The reason why is today's generation needs instant gratification. We need our news immediately. We need answers now. I remember sometimes watching sporting evens on our local channels because we didn't have premium networks yet, and not finding out scores from other games until the NEXT DAY. I didn't lose sleep.

Agreed. List the three strongest aspects of the game, the three weakest, and if everything matches up with your playing style, give it a go.

The stock mark is what makes Microsoft remarkable, They have convinced every institutional and retail investor to just keep piling money into them. Like many big tech giants they are just a big growing pyramid scheme. As long as people keep dropping money into ETF's that cover the market Microsoft will always be liquid. At the same time it is completely stifling innovation and competition. People need to start being more discreet in how they invest their money as it's killing the system.

Riiiiight because people will just flock back to them for one or two games per year.

15+ years of bad performance is what they call irreparable in business. It is time for them to sell off the assets and get out of entertainment.

Let me be clear. This is sarcasm

I'm surprised it's still the old site. I thought he said starting today?

Insert the Ferris Bueller end scene... "You're still here? It's over.."

Never say die