There are plenty of things worth getting up in arms about these days: war, social issues, the election, net neutrality, and the list goes on. So why is it, then, that video games constantly find themselves in the same boat as Osama Bin Laden -- as one of the most dangerous forces this generation has to contend with – according to the media? In other words, why are video games constantly tossed into a whirlwind of controversy while music, movies, and books sit comfortably under the sun, living life as they please?

Dan Houser, who cofounded Rockstar with his bother Sam Houser, wonders the same thing. With Grand Theft Auto IV suffering vicious attacks from mainstream media and politicians alike, it's no wonder that Houser would take issue with many peoples' seemingly skewed priorities, and so, in an interview with British men's magazine Shortlist, Houser aimed to set the record straight.

"The 'controversy' story gets a bit frustrating," Houser was quick to point out. "If this was a movie, a book, or a TV show, we wouldn't be having this conversation. We're an easy enemy to divert everyone's attention from the stuff that really matters."

Indeed, but it's a shame that the people who consider video games an "enemy" are too busy plunging their fingers into their ears to keep an open mind. Nonetheless, Houser has the right idea. We, whether we're gamers, game developers, game journalists, or some (awesome) combination of the three, must continue to let our voices be heard -- no matter how much we must raise them.

Houser also pointed out why Grand Theft Auto IV, of all games, is not deserving of its status as media punching-bag.

"Grand Theft Auto IV will change the way people think about video games," exclaimed Houser. "We had to make sure no one thought, 'It's just like the previous one; I could have played this on my old machine.'"

So, what's that mean, exactly? GTA IV is pretty, but it's not that pretty.

Houser elaborated: "The fourth dimension is details...there are about 40 new things in GTAIV, from the new motion physics of the main character to the firearm targeting to the interaction with pedestrians. The overall goal was to make the world feel more alive. Every little detail was researched, analysed, and broken down."

While all of that sounds very nice, will it really "change the way people think about video games"? Frankly, those features seem like textbook examples of details only the most seasoned gamers would catch. Sort of like how, odds are, your mom can't tell the difference between PS2/GC/Xbox-generation graphics and PS3/360-era visuals. Grand Theft Auto IV, while surely amazing, is, in all likelihood, still just a game. You'll still aim a firearm and shoot people, drive cars, take missions, and advanced a pre-scripted plot.

Even so, Houser hopes GTA can achieve his lofty expectations through making Liberty City, a fully-realized re-creation of New York City teeming with "people," GTA IV's main character. Not only that, he hopes his little slice of virtual New York will make a statement about the real deal.

"There are so many freaks and nutters wandering around New York, and we've put them straight into this game, Houser said, rounding out the interview. "There's a thing there at the moment with people coming up to you and going, 'Do you like hip-hop?' and you say, 'Yeah, sure, why?' so they go, 'Well here's my CD; that's 15 bucks.' The aim of GTAIV was to capture the essence and energy of these maniacs."

Ok, see, I can explain. See, it wasn't even my CD, oh, and I was really hungry! And $15 -- man, what's $15? So, BFFs?

Well then, can you at least give me $15?