The story of how GTA 4 gave life to one of the most famous internet memes – Grand Theft Auto IV

The evolution of memes and their impact on the Internet and in the real world could write many books. While it is true that these contents mainly originated on the Internet, nowadays it is very difficult to know the origin of every meme that has become popular among users. However, there is a recurring joke whose first appearance, as well as the ability to time just the right time, is closely linked to the world of video games: ‘Rick roll‘. If the common name of this trick doesn’t sound familiar to you, you probably remember it when you think of the video’never give up“Who is the singer Rick Astley.

What does a song from 1987 have to do with the world of video games? While it is true that the meme began as “duckroll“On 4chan, which consists of tricking other users into sharing a link to an image of a duck with wheels, the joke has evolved to stratospheric levels with one of the most important events in our sector. Yes, we are talking about the event involved.” Rock star And it is more than popular The grand theft auto sagaknown as Breaking all kinds of records With all of your deliverables.

The huge “Rickroll” game in GTA 4

As it is now with Trailer release is imminent to GTA VIwhich has a large portion of the gaming community in suspense, the public was excited back in 2007 when it was learned that Rockstar was planning to showcase First trailer to GTA IV During the month of May. This was not without technical issues for the developer, as the large number of users eager to get their first look at Niko Bellic’s adventure in Liberty City caused… Some crashes on the Internet Where the novelty was introduced.

The problem came with Mass sharing of the trailer. As usually happens with any significant event on the Internet, the public copied the original Rockstar link to distribute it via other applications and social networks, resulting in it appearing on the aforementioned 4chan. However, as you can imagine at this point in the story, the link posted in this forum has nothing to do with official images for GTA IV, but rather They showed the now famous Rick Astley video Singing the song “I’ll Never Give Up on You.”

Imagine it this way: a forum with thousands of users (many of whom are video game players), one of the most anticipated trailers of the moment, and an almost unknown joke to those who aren’t regulars on 4chan. In short, we have an LED cocktail A huge rise in the popularity of the song “Never Gonna Give You Up”Especially if we consider that “Rickroll” also began to be used on networks other than 4chan. Sometimes, also with videos and content highly anticipated by netizens.

A meme that lives to this day

It has succeeded 16 years Ever since an anonymous internet user teased everyone with what appeared to be a GTA IV trailer, Rick Astley continues to appear from time to time on many, many people’s devices. In fact, although its use has declined over time, society is still in practice He’s used to being faced with the phrase, “I’ll never give up.” While browsing through forums and even He is expected to appear When a link is shared that is too exciting to click on.

And we, the users, are not the only ones who enjoy making and suffering the joke. The whole world has seen the Rick Astley video at some point in his life, as it appeared on thousands of infected iPhones, at demonstrations and even in the “news” that claimed Michelle Obama was extremely racist. Of course, the singer has also appeared in a few video games, with examples such as fortnite, Slendytubbies II Even in the Ministry of Defence Dota.

It is very likely that many players will continue the joke or to honor its birth Try doing ‘Rickroll’ with the first GTA VI trailer. Or who knows, maybe publishing this video led to the emergence of a new meme that is still unknown to most users. Whatever the case, the Rick Astley joke wouldn’t exist without the Grand Theft Auto saga, so here’s another example of that Rockstar makes history with its stellar saga.

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