My life as a gamer is divided into two periods:
The first period was one in which i believed that GTA games enjoyed such great popularity because, they featured vast open worlds with stunning graphics.
I remember when i was a little boy, and saw a friend playing GTA 3 and i couldn't believe how huge the game was, and that you could explore the entire world without "any" restrictions.
And the second phase is when you start to realize that GTA games are so popular because they allow you to give free rein to your basest urges - killing, stealing, and causing general chaos.
They simply allow for the switching off of all social and moral inhibitions.