GTA IV

29/04/08

So the countless books and films are right about the offices of psychologists. The diplomas of the white-coat are neatly lined up on the wall. Right next to the desk. An eye catcher. That way the patient is supposed to feel well cared for. The couch is there as well. The reclining couch. So all the "psychos" have to lie down to talk about their problems. My sight is locked on this furniture of rest. The doctor seems to notice that and with a smirk asks me to take a seat in the low leather armchair. What brings me to her, she asks. The old dear could have spared herself that question. On the phone, I had explained exactly why I want to admit myself. Now the start of this conversation bores me intensely. I'd rather go back home to my console. I want to dive into the world of GTA IV.

"Why don't you explain to me why exactly you are here?“ she inquires. "Well, you know, that isn't really easy. I am addicted. Addicted to GTA IV. The game had the same effect on me as heroin. Tried it once and got addicted. Until now, I thought that the health authorities only want to panic you. With drugs, that may be the case. You are not hooked after on try, but it is different with GTA IV. After one hour of playing, I could not get away from it." "So, you are here because you are addicted to a video game???" she asked incredulously. "Yes!“ is the short answer. "We had already talked about the subject on the phone." "Yes, we did, only it is a bit unusual. I had assumed that the video game is only a pretence to talk about... well.. a more common problem." Slowly I begin to wonder if this woman takes me seriously. "If you agree, I will just describe my weekend to you now." "If that helps you, Mr S.*" (*name all too well known to the editor).

"On Friday I received a call from a friend. GTA IV is ready to be picked up, he told me. Although I wanted to spend the weekend quietly with a good movie because of the exhaustive week, I jumped in the shower and drove to the city. To pick up the game. NOT (!) because I was already addicted. I promise. I was just interested in the game – for quite a while. Apart from that, I work as an editor of a games magazine during the week. So it can't do any harm, if I take a closer look at the game a little earlier. I must admit, the handover of the game reminded me of a drug deal in a more or less terrible Hollywood movie. A bad omen. Just like a cloak and dagger operation. Nervous looks to both sides. First the money, then the shrink-wrapped medium of entertainment. Off home! At that moment, I did not know that I was not doing myself a favour. I swear it."

"And then?" she asked me. "Yes, then. Then I drove home, got into my weekend gear, and sat down in front of the console. My journey through Liberty City started with a blockbuster production. Hour after hour passed before I realised what was happening to me. Only after I looked in the statistics of the pause menu, did I notice that I must have sat in front of the console for almost seven hours. I even forgot to smoke, doctor. Smoking. And I am one of those who can easily puff away a pack of cigarettes a day." "Yes, what caused this? Describe it to me. Describe your gaming experience. I cannot do anything with only your statement that you are addicted. I can see that by looking at your hands when you talk about the game! They are shaking quite a lot."

Slowly beads of sweat appear on my forehead. My hands get clammy and grip the green leather of my armchair. Unconsciously my cramped fingers suddenly let go, and the thumbs take the position, as if I was holding an XBOX pad in my hands. I am having a serious problem. Because this is the first hour in the last few days that I have not spent with GTA IV. I pull myself together. Collect my thoughts. And tell the shrink about what happened to me during my travels through Liberty City.

"You know. The game just riveted me from the start. Niko Bellic wants to live the American dream, He, and his supposedly successful cousin Roman. And for this the whole town of Liberty City is at his disposal. After a great intro, as I have already mentioned, my first assignment as Niko Bellic was to drive my tipsy cousin home in the car. This introduced me thoroughly to the game controls. The first changes to the predecessors already became obvious after the first metres. The physics engine, Liberty City, the new camera angles, the navigation, which helps the gamer to find his way in this huge city, the varied missions or the dynamic changes between day and night combined with a dynamic, functioning weather system. The streets that get slippery when it rains or the fantastic play of shadow and light. I don't know if you can follow me, but when time and again announcements talk of a living, real, freely accessible city, you are totally riveted, if the real gaming experience even surpasses the high expectations."

"Simply everything is possible in GTA IV.“ My hands begin to cramp slightly again. Successfully I try to resist the urge to get up and run home. "Contacts to girls the gamer can pick up are just as important as visits to exclusive strip clubs in the company of important clients. Because, you know, the better Niko gets along with his clients the more jobs on the side and favours are coming his way. Roman for example, if the gamer gets on well with him, and has a drink with him now and again, provides a taxi free of charge if one doesn't feel like driving to the next point of assignment. Other entertainment such as darts, pool, bowling or a visit to the cabaret is of course also included in the game."

"You know, I could praise the game in the report I am going to write just for the mini games, the loving implementation, the overwhelming level of detail of the city, or the "life" which the developers breathed into Liberty City. However, there is a lot more. The story related missions, for example. Until now, in every GTA game I lost the urge to follow the missions after a few hours. I just fired wildly all over the place. I ran amok." A twitch of her eyelashes shows me that the psychologist thinks I am one of those who cannot distinguish between real life and gaming world. I am actually surprised she hasn't called the cops yet. "But this is different in GTA IV. The story around the immigrant Bellic captivated me. The way he helps his batty cousin Roman out of a jam in the first hours of play, and in doing so continuously slides into the gangster scene and meets more and more big shots in organised crime. Or the connection to the real life, which the developer Rockstar got right fantastically. Socialising by meeting personally or with the mobile phone, which Niko always carries. Yes, assignments can be accepted not only during meetings. In the course of the game, Niko is also simply phoned by his clients. Or the moral decisions. Should I let the woman who cheated on one of my friends live, or should I do the bitch in? The internet café, which allows the visit of 100 websites (in the game world). The social club in the internet where the player actually gets positive and negative answers. Or the email account, which actually gets bombarded with spam."

"You seem to be obsessed by the game, Mr S." my listener remarks. "Oh, you noticed that? I have cancelled all my appointments over the weekend, just to play this game. That is not normal." "Well, going by your description, I can understand why you like the game. I am afraid we have to end the session now, I also have a console at home. After your description, I think I am going to get the game." Friendly but firmly she shoves me out of her room, locks up and leaves the office hastily. Now I am all alone, alone with my addiction to GTA IV. A quick call at the editorial office is enough. I am sick, I explain to the colleagues with a feigned, croaky voice and head for home. Home. Home to GTA IV. On the way, I comfort myself with the thought that addiction is actually a disease. Therefore, I did not even lie to the colleagues. Hallelujah.