Rockstar expects outcry over 'GTA IV'

Development team Rockstar has admitted that it expects a tabloid outcry over the new-look Grand Theft Auto IV.

VP Dan Houser said the ninth game in the franchise may prove controversial because it has a more realistic, less cartoony feel than its predecessors.

He said: "If the graphics are slightly cartoony, we make sure the writing is slightly cartoony to match that. Obviously, the graphics have gone closer to realism, so we wanted everything else to be closer to realism as well."

Talking about possible criticism, he added: "I expect it because we've had so much of it in the past. I wish people would treat video games the same as other media. They seem to not want to do that for reasons that I don't understand. It's a convenient enemy for people."

The firm sparked criticism from the press and games industry in 2005 when a hidden sex scene was discovered in San Andreas. In 2007, the team's Manhunt 2 was banned by the British Board of Film Classification.

Houser made his comments following a 90-minute demonstration of the game, which is expected to be released on April 25.