"4,000 hours might seem like a lot, but it’s been loads of fun and plenty of socialising with friends and acquaintances while playing," says Zahir Mohamed.

He is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in esports at the University of Agder (UiA), where he also heads the Game student society. They organise social activities and experiences for students such as bowling, gaming nights, parties and other events.

Zahir Mohamed has been playing Grand Theft Auto (GTA) since the fifth version of the game was released on PlayStation 3 in 2013. For the first five years, he spent most of his time there – on PlayStation with GTA and his friends.

Playing GTA five and looking forward to six

Zahir Mohamed is still playing GTA 5, which was released 12 years ago. He is now looking forward to the launch of version 6 sometime next year, as suggested by the teaser released on YouTube recently.

"The game is still fun, especially when I’m playing with friends. But I'm looking forward to an updated game engine with better graphics. The map in version 5 has become repetitive over time. I’ve memorised nearly every part of it, but it still fascinates me," he says.

He still thinks GTA is among the best games ever made. The game is one of his absolute favourites in the action-adventure genre.

"For me, the game offers the freedom to explore a unique, new world with no limits. I can do things I can't in real life, play with friends, role-play and build an empire. It's based on criminal activities, but here I manage businesses and acquire new skills. When I first started playing, it felt revolutionary; there was nothing else like it. Even now, I don't think anything has matched its scale or level of fun, and probably won’t until the next GTA," says Zahir Mohamed.

Main game for five years

"For the first five years after its release, GTA was my main game, and since then, I've played it sporadically. Most of my time was spent on GTA Online, but I've also completed a few playthroughs of the main storylines to explore the different endings," he says.

"Have you succeeded in becoming the mafia boss in the city? The game is about becoming the best criminal, right?"

"It depends on whether you're playing GTA Online or the story mode. In story mode, you follow a set narrative but still have the freedom to explore and play at your own pace. In GTA Online, there's no specific story – you have total freedom to level up, earn money, and take part in activities like heists and other missions. You can also buy property, vehicles, weapons, and run businesses or gangs to generate income. I've owned every business and managed them successfully."

It costs money

"What does it cost to play GTA?"

"On PlayStation 3, online play was free, but on PS4, I needed a PlayStation Plus subscription, which cost around NOK 500 a year. The PS4 itself cost about NOK 4,000-5,000 at launch. On PC, playing online is free, but you need to buy the game, which can range from NOK 100 during sales to NOK 500 at full price, depending on the region."

"Is it problematic to play a game where the point is to be a sly, cynical and sneaky lawbreaker?"

"Not really, because the game is designed for players 18 and over who can separate fiction from reality. The exaggerated crimes, unrealistic weapons, vehicles and outfits make it clear that it's just a game. It's more about having fun in a chaotic sandbox than promoting any real-life behaviour."

"Do you think the game has a distinctly ironic or satirical tone?"

"Yes, the game is full of satire. It exaggerates real-world issues like politics, capitalism and crime. For example, there's a corrupt law enforcement system, exaggerated corporate greed in ads for fake brands, and characters who mock extreme personality types. The game uses humour to critique society while keeping things entertaining."

"Are there other games or books or TV shows GTA can be compared to?"

"The film Free Guy is a good comparison because it's about a character in a video game world where anything goes. Like GTA, it focuses on freedom, chaos and over-the-top action. The game Red Dead Redemption 2 from the same developer, Rockstar Games, is a strong comparison. That game shares GTA's massive open-world design, attention to detail, and freedom to explore and create your own story."

"Is there more sex and violence in this game than in other games?"

"At the time GTA came out, it definitely had more sexualised content than most other games. Now, games tend to include more of that, so it doesn't stand out as much. As for violence, it's harder to compare. Games like Call of Duty or fighting games can be just as violent, sometimes even more graphic. GTA's violence is less about gore and more about the chaotic freedom to cause destruction in an open world."

"Does bullying occur when you play online with others, with players making sarcastic or cutting remarks?"

"Like most online games, there's definitely some level of roasting or toxicity. In private matches or lobbies where no one uses an open mic, it's usually non-existent. It's not necessarily worse than other games, but it's definitely there if you're in public lobbies or more competitive situations."

"There's an 18-year-old limit on the game, but how do young people under the age of 18 get hold of it?"

"When the game first came out, it was mostly sold as physical copies, so it was harder for underage players to get it unless their parents allowed it. Nowadays, it's much easier to make an account, lie about your age or buy it digitally from stores that don't check. Even some physical stores don't strictly enforce age limits, depending on the region and culture. Many parents also don't mind their teenagers playing games like this, within reason."

"How do you think parents should approach the game when it comes to children and young people?"

"Playing GTA at a younger age can be fine, but it really depends on the maturity of the individual. They must have the ability to differentiate between real and fictional events; that's crucial. Parents should assess the child's readiness and make a decision based on what's best for them. If they decide it's okay, they should stay informed about the game's content and set boundaries if needed," says Zahir Mohamed.