The sequel to a violent video game is causing controversy among video game lovers. Grand Theft Auto — Vice City arrives in stores this week.

Grand Theft Auto is a game where people steal cars, beat up prostitutes and wreak havoc. Thousands of people have pre-ordered copies of the latest version of this game.

"A lot of themes expressed in the game are quite shocking," says 20-year-old Brendan Morin, an avid video game player.

Frame from Grand Theft Auto
Frame from Grand Theft Auto

"Some of the violence is extremely graphic, a lot of taboo stuff people can't do in every day life without going to prison for it."

Morin says it's not a game for anyone under 18.

Grand Theft Auto is one of the best selling games of the past year. It has taken violence to a new level — players become part of what looks like a real life gangster movie.

Players say the game is unique because they are given freedom to do anything, anywhere within a virtual city. Players are given missions as part of a storyline or they can choose to do whatever they want.

The player gets to shoot and beat up people at will, blood gushes everywhere and car-jacking is seen as cool.

"I would understand it would be a problem with little kids playing it but the stuff that happens in the game, I don't think anyone would do this in real life," says 16-year-old Keevan Ho, one of the game's fans.

Video store owner Alex Davis says the game isn't for everyone and parents should be vigilant.

"You don't want people to get the idea that it is acceptable socially," says Davis. "It is a very violent game and maybe shouldn't be on the market."

Australian censors have forced the game's producer to tone down some of the violence before they approve it for sale.

In Canada, video games are rated like movies. Store owners are advised not to sell extremely violent games to anyone under 17. But there's no penalty if they do.

But underage teens are still ordering it. The Internet fan club for Grand Theft Auto is filled with 13 and 14-year-olds.