Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (413 words)

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas from the infamous Grand Theft Auto game series which is developed by a branch of Rockstar Games - Rockstar North (formally DMA Design). The game is aimed at the hardcore game market as well as those of us who just quite simply like killing and smashing stuff in games. The basic aim of the game is to complete missions set by other characters in the game. When completing these missions the player will use a wide range of game mechanics without realising it.

Out of all the game mechanics that are incorporated in the game, I would have to suggest that one of the main mechanics is respect. This is the main principle of the game as you progress thought the missions in order for you and your gang to survive. This respect comes in different styles from other gangsters, police, sub mission characters and main mission characters. As well as rising there are at times when the respect form these characters can fall.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas has very similar game mechanic to that of Another World created by Delphine Software for the SEGA Megadrive. Although not the exact same mechanic it does share similarities to it, such as where the main character Leser Knight Chaykin must fight for survival on an alien planet.

These two games both share a mechanic where survival depends on other characters. This mechanic could be argued that survival is just not dying. But in these games there is a little more detail to what survival actually means. In the newer games where survival is a way of living as each day progresses the like for instance GTA: San Andreas. There is a lot more to compete against then just aliens. For example there are other gangs, corrupt police and a government that would love you and your gang to disappear or die so they can continue with their destruction.

If respect as a game mechanic was to be generalised as a power stature there are many games that could be new and old that be considered. An example of this could be Age of Empires where power and dominance is the objective of the game. The idea of power and greed being produced in games allows the player to play out fantasies of being in control. This is where respect comes into question as respect is a form acceptance and stature that can sometimes lead on to greed for power.