Grand Theft Auto 6 Hype Gets Novel Response from GTA 5 Actor, Literally

It’s no surprise that many people are excited for Grand Theft Auto 6. Rockstar builds tremendous anticipation for the game, declaring it the largest launch in history. Despite fans looking forward to the long-awaited game, Steven Ogg, the actor who portrayed Trevor Philips in Grand Theft Auto 5, seems to feel differently. So, why would an actor from the previous game feel disconnected from this massive event?

A Professional Distance from the Phenomenon

Ogg recently spoke with a YouTuber, discussing his excitement for GTA 6. He responded to the interviewer’s question about the actor’s excitement for the game with a definitive statement, saying he feels nothing inside. However, he’d clarify that his lack of feeling was specific to the franchise. The actor reminded the interviewer that he’s not a gamer and has never played a video game to explain why he doesn’t care much about the game, as it holds no significance to him. Although this perspective is perfectly valid, as some actors immerse themselves deeply in their roles, others, like Ogg, view it as a professional job.

Grand Theft Auto 6 Meets Classic Literature

The conversation then took a stranger turn, as Ogg recounted a recent exchange where someone suggested he play GTA 5 because it’s great. However, the actor’s counter-suggestion for that person was to read Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment, which left the individual speechless. So, why was the actor so adamant to compare a video game to a classic Russian novel?

When Ogg pressed the interviewer, asking if he was familiar with Dostoevsky, the interviewer admitted that he wasn’t, which led Ogg to base his entire argument on this point. The actor asked another question, this time wondering if the interviewer was excited about that book’s new release, despite its publication in the 19th century. At the end, Ogg stated that his love for books far outweighs video games, particularly GTA 6

The Press Tour Takes a Bookish Turn

So, why exactly did the actor bring up books instead of focusing on GTA 6? Simply put, he wanted to lay out his underlying point: that questioning him about games is like asking a non-reader about literature. However, the method of making this point was rather roundabout and could be perceived as slightly pretentious. An interesting irony exists in his chosen example, with the main character of Crime and Punishment, Rodion Raskolnikov, being a murderous nihilist.

This particular character would likely be a terminally online individual who constantly spouts video game memes in the modern world. For serious literature fans, Dostoevsky’s novel The Idiot may arguably be the superior book. Whether this literary comparison actually helps Oggs’ argument or highlights a cultural divide remains to be seen. It’s incredibly difficult for an actor to ever truly escape the shadow of an iconic character they helped create. Still, Ogg’s indifference to GTA 6 ultimately serves as a reminder that even the most anticipated cultural events are not universally significant.