GTA Vice City, managed to oust Team Soho's The Getaway for the number one slot this Christmas, hinting a chart longevity not seen since, well, Grand Theft Auto 3.

The formula of carjacking and violence has proved hugely popular over the past few years, seeing the game make the leap from 2D PC niche to 3D PlayStation 2 superpower.

There is concern that the game will contribute to desensitisation to violence among its players. But we're more worried that its success will lead to a trend of mindless violence replacing creativity and innovation in video games, as poor me-too imitations attempt to get a slice of this apparently huge sales pie.