Grand Theft Auto IV upsets NYC officials

New York isn’t happy about hosting Grand Theft Auto IV.

Well, at least some of its officials aren’t.

Last week’s Grand Theft Auto IV trailer (check it out here) revealed the setting of the next GTA title – Liberty City, a virtual version of New York City – which has already prompted New York officials to voice their disdain for the game and say the similarities are only cosmetic, reports the Associated Press.

"The mayor does not support any video game where you earn points for injuring or killing police officers," New York mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a statement.

New York police commissioner Raymond Kelly doesn't care where the game is set. "It's despicable to glamorize violence in games like these, regardless of how far-fetched the setting may be," he told the AP.

Glimpses of Liberty City shown in the GTA IV trailer showed off key landmarks that are only found in New York (which is where Rockstar Games, GTA’s developer, US headquarters are located), like the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Modeling GTA games' setting after real-world cities has become a part of GTA lore. Vice City from GTAIII's follow-up's was set in a virtual Miami, Florida, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas took place in cities reminiscent of Los Angeles, San Francisco and Las Vegas.