Last night at San Francisco's Powell St. GameStop, I joked with a few friends waiting in line for Grand Theft Auto IV about the fact that law enforcement needed to police a bunch of gamers. "Well, we all know GTA turns people violent," he quipped.

Now with one man stabbed and another with a shattered jaw, I don't find the idea as preposterous. Although I will continue to believe that games do not inherently make folks more violent -- at least until some presents me with hard proof.

I would say this is tragic. And it's tragic because it strengthens arguments of anti-videogame crusaders and has brought to life many fears parents and watchdogs have held about the Grand Theft Auto franchise.

And while the muggers obviously weren't directly influenced by GTA IV, it makes us all look bad.