Officials in the UK were paid to play Grand Theft Auto Online with strangers over the internet. Although getting paid to play games is a dream many have had, the choice to let workers play GTA online now facing criticism from others in the UK government.
Despite its age, Rockstar's games are still incredibly popular, with Grand Theft Auto Online earning about a million dollars per day. That popularity may be part of the reason it was chosen for this project, but due to the violence and taboo topics in the game, the move will likely see more controversy than if another game had been chosen.
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British government workers played GTA online and got paid
According to a report by The Telegraph, an “experimental policy-making team” within the UK's Department for Education called the Policy Lab Grand Theft Auto Online as part of a research project. The employees played the game normally and interacted with strangers online as they participated in typical missions such as robbing jewelry stores and carrying out murders. The researchers' goal was to socialize with people who normally gamble GTA onlineto observe their interactions in the game and to see if games can be used to create “emotionally safe spaces.” Consequently, the government workers would talk to the people they encountered in the game and try to learn more about people's “lived experience” in general, with the potential for the results to be used in government decision-making.
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The experiment was reportedly held during December 2024 and appears to have since ended. Their findings reportedly included making it easy for people in remote locations to meet online in games like GTA onlineand gave players opportunities to do things they couldn't in real life. Some of the players spoken to indicated that it was “really easy to drive in-game while talking”, perhaps indicating that it's easier for people to open up during in-game activities. In total, about 30 people are on the team, but it is not known if everyone participated in the activity.
As you might expect, this news has created some backlash within the UK government. Speaking to The Telegraph, a government source indicated it was “nonsense” and that ministers do not want to see taxpayers' money “wasted on video games”. Mike Wood, the current shadow cabinet minister, called it an “absurd waste of resources” and that civil servants should have some skills, but to play GTA online is not among them. Playing GTA online wasn't the only thing the Department for Education Policy Lab group did, but it appears the team is in hot water with some officials in general.
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While learning that government employees were paid to play any game would have frustrated some in both government and the public, the election GTA online may have been a bad choice. No official explanation has been shared as to why that particular title was chosen, with many other free-to-play games also available, including some that are significantly less violent. Given the review, it is likely that such a thing will no longer happen in the UK.
- Released
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October 1, 2013
- ESRB
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M for mature: blood and gore, intense violence, mature humor, nudity, strong language, strong sexual content, use of drugs and alcohol
- Developer
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Rockstar North
- Engine
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Rockstar Advanced Game Engine
