AIBU to preorder GTA VI for DS (17) when the trailer has left me with concerns?

[ThisRubyEagle]

Hello, first time posting so sorry if this is in the wrong place. I’m a mum of two (DS17 and DD13) and I’d describe myself as a moderate feminist - I believe strongly in raising my son to respect women, call out sexism when he sees it, and understand consent. I’m not the sort who wants to ban everything, but I do have my concerns about some media.
Yesterday DS was really excited and asked me to watch the new GTA VI trailer with him. I sat through the whole thing. It’s actually better than I expected in some ways - I liked that there’s a female character who seems central and quite tough. But overall it left me feeling uneasy. The whole tone is very hyper, violent and chaotic, with what looks like endless crime, guns, and this “Florida” satire that seems to mock everyone and everything. I know the GTA series has a long history of really problematic attitudes towards women (strip clubs, prostitutes, the way female characters have been treated in past games) and even if the trailer doesn’t shove it in your face, I can’t help worrying this one will be the same underneath.
He’s now asking if I’ll preorder it for him as all his friends are getting it on release and he’ll be 18 not long after. Part of me thinks I should just do it - he’s a good lad really, does well at sixth form, and I don’t want to be the overprotective mum who makes him miss out. But the other part is wondering if I’d be letting myself down as someone with feminist principles. OH says I’m overthinking it and “it’s only a bloody game.”
AIBU to be this conflicted about preordering? Or should I put my foot down on principle? TIA

just order it it won’t do him any harm. I’m a woman and I love GTA and still play it occasionally now!
I have been playing it since I was a young teen

Yes my hubby played it too, When he was younger. I've always thought it was vulgar, but it does seem rather popular.

Yes my hubby played it too, When he was younger. I've always thought it was vulgar, but it does seem rather popular.

Honestly, you're over thinking it. He's 17 not 7 and it's just a game. I play it (40yr old female) and it's a good fun game to play.

I was playing GTA3 as a 12 year old - he'll be fine with it.

Use it to have conversations about the themes and issues. You could have some really interesting conversations with him around how depiction and endorsement are different things and teach him to critically engage with media.

It's great that he's excited to share it with you and this could be a good opportunity. Since he'll be 18 anyway he can just buy it and you'd miss out the above chance.

Could the posters who are familiar with this game suggest how old they think a young person needs to be to play this game please? One of my sons is desperate to pre order it. He says all his friends play it. I think he is far too young.

Thank you

GTA is 18 rated. So I think at least 18.

Bump

My DS is 22 and I wouldn't allow it in the house, not keen on video games generally but GTA depicts VAWAG and rape.

If he will be 18 upon release and you have no concerns about him as you say, then I would pre order it. Another one here who has played some of the GTA series (also female)
I will die on the hill that Red Dead Redemption is better though and I bloody hope they make a third. Although with Rockstar the way they are I will probably be retired before it comes out.

Sorry not the point of the thread.

Rape?! What on Earth!?

This reminds me of when I was asked about the suitability of games for friends children, and GTA3 was one of them and at the time the children concerned were 10/11

My recommendation was against letting them play
But against my recommendation (and the Daily Mails outrage stories about it) one mother still let her son have it because he told her that he “didn’t play the story line but only played the free range mode”
I tried to point out that free range mode was worse than storyline mode.

The story line follows the main characters life of crime rising their position in mafia gangland with protection rackets, managing prostitutes, protecting / attacking businesses, gang violence etc. One of the initial missions designed to learn the controls of the game is to pick up the boss/pimps girlfriend/lead prostitute from the clap clinic and safely drive her back to the boss. (She is someone to protect)
In free range mode prostitution is used in two ways - to restore health by picking up a prostitute on the roadside before pulling over to watch the car bounce as your health meter is restored and cash reduced. When she gets out the second use becomes available - run her over to steal back your cash and her days takings
The in game context is that the women/prostitutes are exploited to make money for your boss, are at risk of infections and need regular sexual health checkups
The free range context is that women/prostitutes are there to be exploited by you and along with all other non-player characters can be killed

To well adjusted people the GTA series interactive games of “gritty” crime with mindless violence & exploitation
To young impressive minds it’s mindless violence & exploitation

My 16 year old still
wont be getting it. I know some parents are fine with their kids role playing as a pimp and the violence and the endless misogyny but we’re not.
No, it’s not just a game, not for kids anyway.

I have problems with this game and the way women are depicted in it. I won't let my son play it. My understanding is that the new series is very life-like and high spec. The game has strip clubs and private dances, the tech is so high now apparently that you can see the finger prints the strippers leave on their poles?! Why you would want to see that I don't know. Even the strip club scenes now are in person so a virtual lap dance?!

Rape, prostitution, violence against women and all activities increase your health, so are rewarded. But it's all ok because it's 'just a game'

Apparently according to my son, You play as a woman in this one.

You can avoid the seedy parts playing the game. I think?

I don't think the game content has changed so it's just a woman doing all the same that the previous male characters would do. Assume they are trying to make the game more palatable after lots of criticism over the years, maybe they think it's not as bad if a woman is doing it?

From the trailer he showed me, I have linked it on my post, Its just a crime game about a couple. Not great for kids, but nothing too outrageous. I'm just not sure my son at 17 should be exposed to crime games?!

My ds played GTA from being 10, he hasn't started stealing cars or planes or joyriding, just like he hasn't committed mass murder after playing COD, quite frankly some of the 15 rated games are far worse. At nearly 18 your ds could most likely buy the game himself, at his age you should have removed all the parental controls on his console.

Grim

Will GTA 6 have violence?
Yes. Violence is the foundation of the GTA series. Players engage in gunfights, car chases, and criminal missions involving assault and murder. The sandbox nature of the game also means players can harm civilians, though doing so triggers a police response. Expect blood, gore, and the series’ characteristic intensity throughout.Massively Multiplayer Games

Will GTA 6 have sexual content?
Almost certainly yes. The first official trailer prominently featured women in revealing clothing, beach party scenes, and imagery consistent with the series’ past strip club sequences. GTA V included topless nudity in strip clubs and allowed players to solicit prostitutes. GTA 6 is expected to include similar content. As noted above, the M rating means explicit sex acts will not be depicted — but the sexual themes go right up to that boundary.

Will GTA 6 have nudity?
Based on the franchise’s history and early trailer footage, yes. GTA V included topless nudity in strip clubs and male nudity in one non-sexual context. GTA 6 is expected to follow the same pattern.

Will GTA 6 have a “twerk button” or interactive sexual mechanics?
This is one of the most-searched parent questions about GTA 6. The first trailer showed dancing and twerking as part of the game’s world, and interactive socializing has been part of past GTA games. Rockstar has not officially confirmed specific mechanics. We don’t know yet exactly what form this takes in GTA 6, but based on what’s been shown, it’s safe to assume the game will include similar or expanded versions of the adult-oriented activities present in GTA V. We’ll update this post when Rockstar reveals full gameplay details ahead of the November 2026 launch.

Will GTA 6 involve drug and alcohol use?
Yes. Drug and alcohol use are recurring themes across the franchise, often tied to character development and missions. Expect GTA 6 to continue this tradition.

Will GTA 6 have strong language?
Yes. Every mainline GTA game has received a “Strong Language” content descriptor. Expect frequent and explicit profanity throughout.

Bottom Line
GTA 6 is designed for adults and will earn its M for Mature (17+) rating. It will contain graphic violence, sexual content, nudity, strong language, and drug and alcohol use. It is not appropriate for children, and most parents of younger teens will want to hold the line.

The GTA series is one of those instances where I do think the age rating is justified - for the sexual content (strip clubs - contrary to a post by a PP, it does not feature themes of SA/rape, unless you mean issues re consent in the context of sex workers).

I think its totally fine to take the position that you're not comfortable with it and don't want to buy it, though I think posters who "ban it from the house" are being absurd. It's certainly "adult" but there's plenty of worse media out there.

I personally wouldnt order it for my son whos also looking forward to this game but there are additional concerns with misogyny with my son . Maybe with a respectful polite boy, it could be fine.

That being said , why isn't he buying it himself at 17?

Did the "softcore porn" elements not give you pause for thought?

I really don't agree that there are "worse" 15-rated games. Perhaps if you're taking about violence only, but not the pornagraphic aspects.

Have you even seen the previous games? Here are some of the previous prostitutes. At least these look like they can walk in a straight line in the picture. They usually just walk into walls.

is that trailer actual game footage or just the movie clips you get when playing?

no I’m not tagging the picture as sensitive 😂