A concerned collective of wives, fiancées, and girlfriends is taking to social media with a clear recommendation for anyone currently in a committed relationship with a gamer: “If your significant other plays Grand Theft Auto VI, break up with them.”
This blunt, terrifying message is rolling out in response to the announcement that GTA 6 features a deep relationship-building system that directly influences the connection between the game’s protagonists, Lucia and Jason. Through simple acts like sending supportive texts, setting aside time for dates, or committing crimes together, players can actively write Jason and Lucia’s love story page-by-page.
While most gamers (of all genders) can’t wait to be the hand that guides this relationship, some of their female partners are less than enthused by the idea. And they’re expressing their opinion loud and clear on social media.
Across TikTok and other social media platforms, a small but outspoken group of “gaming girlfriends” are declaring their disgust with GTA 6‘s relationship system, arguing that it “forces” their partner to enter a committed relationship with a fictional character. Some, like TikToker EL Michelle, have openly declared the game a “cheating simulator.”
Other TikTok users have been far more vocal in their castigation of GTA 6, and they’ve issued less-than-veiled threats to their partners about what they’ll do if they catch them playing it. In one such video, creator diaryofasalesgirl boldly declared, “In absolutely no human way is my fiancé playing GTA 6,” lambasting the game for featuring romantic and sexual content at all and saying games like it are “lowkey” making the male population dumber.
To no one’s surprise, the response to these declarations has been pretty wild. Some commenters echo their opinions, but others argue their stance on GTA 6 paints them as insecure, controlling partners. A few comments even accuse the women of feeling threatened by the game’s surprisingly healthy take on romance, implying that playing GTA 6 might inspire their partners to ask uncomfortable questions about their behavior.
No matter where you stand on this “issue”, romance in video games is not a new, shocking development. Phantasy Star III on the Sega Genesis brought the two together all the way back in 1990, and one look at Steam should be enough to remind you that dating simulators are some of the most popular games out there right now.
If anything, GTA 6‘s insistence that communication, honesty, and being present and attentive whenever you’re spending time together are the building blocks of a healthy relationship is actually pretty groundbreaking. It’s certainly a bit more realistic and educational than giving your virtual partner a gift once in a while.
If you’re someone who feels a bit threatened by the idea of your partner playing GTA 6, maybe it’s time the two of you have a talk about your relationship. Be brave, be open-minded, and maybe try to trust that your partner won’t leave you for a video game character.
