Episode 185: GTA 6's Empowerment Conundrum: It's the Male Fantasy Versus the Feminist Myth. Which Side Will Rockstar Bless?

The Grand Theft Auto franchise has always been controversial. Violence, misogyny, theft and bloodshed...it was the ultimate power trip for those feeling trapped by the mundanities of modern life. But now, GTA 6 is coming, slated for a 2026 release...and more than carnage and nihilism comes a different kind of outrage. Of the game's two playable stars, one is Lucia, a tough-as-balls gal--the first female, in fact, to ever lead the franchise. This could be great, with Lucia playing the perfect helpmate to Jason, her hunky co-star. Or, this could be very bad, with Lucia playing the demanding girl boss, or worse, the guilty conscience the series has always dodged before. Will picking up random girls be as fun with Lucia around? Will it be fun blowing away countless men as a smart n' sassy, belligerent feminist? Rockstar better know what it's doing...Listeners are encouraged to check out the website lostnostalgia.com for more news, reviews, and musings on everything gaming, media, and retro related.Thanks to Decktonic for the bumper music.Thanks to Rewindapp Studio for "It's Summer 1987, You're Driving to Miami."