Many point to the significant differences between Sullivan's appearance and the game character's, as well as Rockstar's experience in handling similar legal matters. Roger Clark, who voiced Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption 2, added his thoughts to the matter, saying that Sullivan has little chances of winning as the company has successfully parodied real-life figures for years.
While some view Sullivan's claims as a desperate attempt for attention, others argue he could've leveraged the situation more productively. A better idea would've been to capitalize on his newfound popularity through public appearances and streaming as a GTA RPer. Both paths could net him more than the amount of money he's asking for in a few years. The best part? He'll have made friends with Rockstar and its massive community of fans.
Nevertheless, this controversy has sparked broader debates about the ethics of using real-life figures in fictional media and the responsibilities of large corporations like Rockstar in these matters.
Understandable if expected controversies aside, GTA 6's trailer release has been a monumental event, amassing over 150 million views and showcasing the fictionalized version of Miami, Vice City. The trailer reflected the game's satirical take on modern American culture, including internet phenomena and influencer culture. The inclusion of characters like the one resembling the Florida Joker aligns with the Grand Theft Auto series' tradition of parodying real-world elements, though it occasionally leads to controversies.
Whether Sullivan's claims will hold up in court remains to be seen, but we can't say that this wasn't expected.
In the meantime, GTA fans can keep themselves busy with the GTA Remastered trilogy for free on Netflix. The bundle is also available to play on iOS and Android devices.
