R-f-e-a-a-k-l-e Life

I play video games to escape the mundane reality of daily life. It’s the reason why I don’t require top notch realistic graphics within a game in order to enjoy them. Give me a pudgy cartoon plumber who takes on flying turtles and dragons after eating magic mushrooms any day.

With the release of Grand Theft Auto IV, the line between real life and fake life is starting to blur. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t mean I’m starting to steal cars whenever I need to get across town or picking up hookers whenever I need a health boost or becoming deeply rooted within the Russian mob. However, I did experience a surreal moment while playing the other night.

I was explaining to my friend how you can take people out on dates, and since I was new to the game, I didn’t realize that the dialogue subtitles were not on by default. While I was on my way to pick up said date, my character’s cousin called, saying he was in need of help. I thought it was just random in-game dialogue and didn’t realize he was about to get his ass kicked by loan sharks and went on my date. After the date, I ended up picking my cousin up at the hospital and he tore me a new asshole for blowing him off for a girl. As I recounted this story for my friend, he said “Just like in real life.”

Another feature of the game is getting drunk after going to a bar. After leaving the bar, you can either drive home in the car you came in, or you can hail a cab. Again, don’t get me wrong. When you come out of a bar drunk, you’re REALLY drunk. In some cases, you can hardly walk, much less drive properly. It’s a video game, so what harm can there be in drunk driving? My friend was sitting next to me as I deftly navigated my way back to my date’s house while virtually intoxicated. He said “Wow, you’re really good at that.”

I responded with “Just like in real life.”