Rockstar recently released a video to promote Grand Theft Auto IV (check out our PS3 Downloads section in the forums to see it) and some politicians in New York are less than impressed. the reason? The game is set in what looks a LOT like New York City.

The backlash started with the New York Daily News who said, "The latest version of an ultraviolent video game will unleash its murderous mayhem on the streets of New York. And outraged political leaders say the rampant brutality of the game, Grand Theft Auto IV, has little in common with reality. (GTA4) is set in a mythical city that bears a striking resemblance to New York the trailer shows well-known landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Cyclone in Coney Island."

Councilman Peter Vallone likened setting the game in "the safest big city in America" to "setting Halo in Disneyland".

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly had this to say: "It's despicable to glamorize violence in games like these, regardless of how far-fetched the setting may be." A representative of Mayor Michael Bloomberg added, "The mayor does not support any video game where you earn points for injuring or killing police officers."

For the time being Take Two, Rockstar's parent company, hasn't responded to the criticism. If anything, they are likely enjoying the free publicity all of this is giving them.