Grand Theft Auto | The No Sleep Gamer

The BBC recently aired a film of theirs called The Gamechangers. This ‘factual drama’ aimed to tell the story about Grand Theft Auto and the controversy surrounding the series around the release of San Andreas. Daniel Radcliffe starred as one of the game’s creators, Sam Houser, and Bill Paxton played the infamous Jack Thompson, the lawyer hellbent on suing Rockstar and destroying the game.

We were cautiously optimistic, but alarm bells started to ring months ago when RockStar sued the BBC for using the GTA brand without permission. It turns out that the BBC’s ‘facts’ were gathered via third-party interviews rather than direct from Rockstar or the Housers. Not long after it aired, Rockstar were quick to jump on Twitter and ask the BBC, “What exactly is this random, made up bollocks?” Continue reading Fancy a laugh? The BBC’s ‘factual drama’ about GTA is online now →

There’s not long to go now before the BBC’s The Gamechangers airs on BBC Two. The controversial documentary focuses on the development of the Grand Theft Auto series and the conflict between the company and outspoken US lawyer (now disbarred), Jack Thompson. Despite Grand Theft Auto developers, Rockstar, suing the BBC over the film, it would appear it’s going to air anyway.

Sam Houser, a Rockstar co-founder will be played by Daniel Radcliffe (of Harry Potter fame), while Thompson will be played by Bill Paxton (Aliens, Apollo 13). Oddly, the BBC have not worked with Rockstar on the project, instead opting to base it on court documents and third party people who were apparently involved with events. Continue reading BBC’s GTA drama starring Daniel Radcliffe dated and trailered →

Gaming reviews, previews and features by Brendan Griffiths