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A councillor for the Scottish town of Hawick has reacted badly to the news that its name has been used for a district in Grand Theft Auto V.
The BBC reports that Los Santos’ Hawick is, unlike the real-world Scottish Borders town, a druggie commune of sorts. The name was likely picked by someone from the game’s development team, which is based in Edinburgh.
"I am absolutely disgusted – there is a lot of history and a lot of good things happening in the town," councillor David Paterson stated. "We have got a lot of good things planned for this coming year. It is going to destroy the good reputation of the town.
"It is perceptions, it is how people will perceive the town. They might perceive Hawick in a bad light and Hawick is a lovely place – a lot of people are very, very proud of Hawick."
Scottish MP John Lamont has since invited the game’s producers to visit Hawick, adding: "I, like many other Hawick residents, was shocked to hear that the name of the town had been used in Grand Theft Auto V.
"Not only is it a game which includes violence, sex and drugs, but the game’s producers themselves describe the area of Hawick in the game as having a ‘drug addict hipster vibe’.
"While some may take the view that any publicity is good publicity, I am sure that many local residents will see this as an insensitive move from Rockstar North. The game undoubtedly portrays Hawick in a bad light and is likely to sell tens of millions of copies over the next year.
"They clearly do not know Hawick well, and that is why I have invited them to meet with me at my office on the town’s High Street. Hawick is one of the most beautiful towns in Scotland and I am sure that by showing them the town and telling them of its proud history they will realise the mistake they have made."
