Cheating in a video game? Only 6% of Britons see GTA romances as infidelity

In September, the polling firm YouGov asked around 4,000 adults in Britain whether it counts as cheating if their partner pursues a romantic relationship in a video game. About 6% said yes. A further 19% said it is not cheating but that they would not be okay with it. According to IGN and eGamers, the BBC first reported the poll; the two outlets covered it on 19 and 20 October.

Women are more critical than men: 7% of women regard an in-game romance as infidelity and a further 24% object without calling it cheating. Among men the figures are 4% and 13%. Earlier, a debate had taken off on TikTok after an extended gameplay look at “Grand Theft Auto VI” in late August, with some users describing playing it as a betrayal of a real partner. In the game, players can nurture the relationship between the two lead characters, Jason and Lucia – for example through dates, holding hands or replying quickly to in-game text messages. Whether to do so is up to the player.

Rob Nelson, co-studio head at Rockstar North, told IGN that playing makes you feel as if you are looking after the couple's relationship. “GTA VI” is due out on 19 November for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. Caveat: the exact question wording, fieldwork dates and weighting are not given in the reports; the figures come from media coverage of the YouGov poll.