I agree with Luke. I'm a very peaceful guy in real life, but I have the most fun in GTA being a real "cop killa." The missions themselves are fun, but I often just create scenarios where I get the cops after me and see how long I can survive in a bloody chase. Think of those "Real Life Whatever Cop/Criminal Chase 5!" shows that they have on FX. Would I ever want to get in a car chase that would result in the deaths of hundreds of people and millions of dollars of collateral damage? Of course not! Fantasy. Not high art. Not fantastic storytelling. Just escapism. Nothing wrong with that.

But it's a very good outlet for frustration as well. I've gotten a lot of anger out by popping in a GTA or some similar game and just going to town killing people walking down the street. Does that make me insane? I don't think so. The fake violence allows me to vent in a safe way rather than taking it out by yelling or otherwise being mean to friends and family. Which seems healthier?