The really interesting thing being that his research involved actually reading and analysing all the previous research that had been done on the subject of video games and links to violence, the very same studies that ‘experts’ are quick to call upon and which journalists quote from when screaming for the likes of Grand Theft Auto to be banned. Kierkegaard admits that the GTA effect, where graphical realism is really quite intense, is becoming more important and most gamers look forward to each release precisely because of the violence, the crime and yes even the sexual or drugs related plots. However, there remains a huge difference between visiting a virtual prostitute and a real life one, for a start your crotch is likely to remain much less itchy and no actual women will have been exploited in the process (sits back and awaits angry comments from the bra burning brigade and the manbag men arguing that somehow a pretend prostitute does exactly that) and there remains a huge difference between committing a virtual crime and a real one.

Kierkegaard analysed a wide range of research papers, many of which concluded (at least since the early 1980’s when graphical video games started to get real) that playing violent games can lead to violent behaviour such as fighting at school or even robbery and assault out on the streets. Some studies have even linked aggression related areas of the brain with being stimulated during game play. He argues that violent crime among the young has actually decreased since the early 1990’s while video games have steadily increased. Using US based official crime reporting statistics he argues “with millions of sales of violent games, the world should be seeing an epidemic of violence – instead, violence has declined.”

Perhaps the main point that we should take away from all of this is that while, as Kierkegaard admits, it is quite possible that some video games can have an affect on emotional response, behaviour and attitudes, there is no hard evidence to suggest that they do so to any greater degree than books, television or listening to Radio 2. The truth is that if someone is already predisposed to violent behaviour then any input which triggers an emotional response can trigger that violent behaviour. Should we therefore ban all books, magazines, television and radio in case a couple of nutters might decide to go kill someone because Terry Wogan told them to in a cryptic message?

Virgin on Oxford Street (what’s Zavvi?!) had less than ten copies left at 9:45 this morning, and this copy is currently under lock and key somewhere secure and secret at Dennis Towers (err…my bag).

It’s not for PC Pro; hell, it’s not even on the PC, but it will eat up the best part of my May, June, probably even July when everyone else out getting sunlight and exercise. I’ll move the telly next to the window and wave at them with pity. Fools.

It’s actually provoked a feisty debate here at Pro. In one corner sit myself and Mr Mike Jennings, for whom this release was the main reason for investing in a PS3. In the other corner sit Messrs Fearon, Sparkes and Turton, bitterly throwing the usual “it’ll just be GTA with better graphics blah blah blah” arguments for want of something useful or interesting to say.

They’re wrong.

So, by the way, is Jack Thompson, the famously game-hating U.S. attorney – he’s called GTA IV “the gravest assault upon children in [America] since polio”. Maybe things are different over there, but if he took even a cursory glance at the UK box he could hardly miss the huge (twice the size of those on DVDs) “18″ certificate which should prevent respectable retailers from allowing it anywhere near children. There’s simply no excuse for parents to claim ignorance when the adult nature of the thing is made so patently clear.

For those of us over 18 and capable of distinguishing fantasy from reality, April 29th 2008 will go down in history as the day gaming grew into an art form comparable with the finest examples from the world of film*. In fact, reports are suggesting the sheer number of young adults locking themselves away with the game may even cripple the opening weekend of the new superhero movie, Iron Man, despite impressive reviews.

Whether it’ll tempt our esteemed editor away from the only game he plays – 1999’s crap racer Re-Volt – remains doubtful. The only certainty is that next month’s PC Pro may be somewhat lacking in articles by me.