Murray, S. (2005). High art/low life: The art of playing Grand Theft Auto. PAJ: Performing Arts Journal, 27(2), 91-98.

Murray, S. (2005). High art/low life: The art of playing Grand Theft Auto. PAJ: Performing Arts Journal, 27(2), 91-98.

Murray’s essay focuses on the gaming industries’ expansion of technology and their current agency to develop highly sophisticated worlds that grant players limitless freedom. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (GTA) serves as the case in point for Murray’s work because the game makes the quality of its virtual space come alive by recreating Southern California by representing the states’ vernacular, fashion, music, and topography within the game. The art of playing GTA, as argued by Murray, stems from the player’s ability to successfully navigate the world Rockstar Games created. She argues that video games have become highly interactive and that only by becoming familiar with the protagonists’ surroundings can the player complete the game. For example, gamers playing GTA become aware that Ganton, CJ’s home turf, provides a considerable amount of freedom from authorities due to the cities’ dilapidation and population consisting of minorities. On the other hand, once the protagonist ventures into affluent neighborhoods of San Andreas police presence is aggressive.

Murray’s study provides insight into my own argument concerning Rockstar Game’s depiction of social strain in GTA. She argues the game, as depicted in its regulation of police presence, portrays the world as unequal and conflicted. Furthermore, her article provides support for both Barrett and Farman’s arguments. Like Barrett, Murray focuses on GTA’s negative African American stereotypes and suggests that the hip-hop communities’ accommodation of values evident in Scarface have provided the foundation for Rockstar Games appropriation of black culture. Murray’s article adds to Furman’s discussion of the interfaceless interface by giving it a sociological bent and I would strongly suggests that both Furman and Murray’s articles should be read together and absorbed in context with each other.