The next Grand Theft Auto game could implement a “karma” system where “good or bad” actions have a “cumulative impact on how the game unfolds”. That is, if a screenshot of a Play Insights gamer survey posted to a forum is to be believed.
Play Insights runs surveys for videogame companies to test the waters on different ideas. A forumite on Wii Space has posted a screenshot supposedly of a Play Insight survey. The entire survey was on “karma” systems in games, with the Grand Theft Auto question just one of a series. So it may be that a company other than Rockstar has posed the survey question (about a similar, rival game, or just in research). But it could just be that Rockstar Games are thinking of making “good” and “evil” choices in future Grand Theft Auto games have more clear consequences.
Would a karmic system improve Grand Theft Auto V (or even the next downloadable episode for Grand Theft Auto IV, out by October)? Possibly – recent Grand Theft Auto games have focussed more than ever on tight plotting and real choices, pushing the freeroaming, sandbox, amoral aspects of the franchise more to the background. Karma could give storylines even greater focus. But they could also get in the way of the great fun to be had by just messing about in the game world.
