A pensioner turns to the video game Grand Theft Auto V to vent their frustration about rising gas bills in this satirical streaming skit

Video game violence has been a hot cultural topic for decades, but here it is co-opted for comic ends as an unlikely player, the so-called ‘Gamer Gran’, embarks on a foul-mouthed, blood-soaked killing spree through the digital streets of Grand Theft Auto.

Initially presented in 2013 as a genuine upload from an aggrieved pensioner in response to a 20% price hike from British Gas, the clip garnered millions of views, inspired coverage from national and international publications, and was featured on television programmes ranging from Have I Got News For You to Charlie Brooker’s How Videogames Changed the World.

In reality, British Gas Rampage was a skit made to mimic the ‘Let’s Play’ style of gaming video found on YouTube and the streaming platform Twitch, where viewers tune in to watch creators play games and offer commentary along the way. It was masterminded by the award-winning creative duo Dom Moira and Kieron Roe, also known as The Krakening, who have brought a similar mix of ingenuity and wit to campaigns for a wide range of clients, including Coca Cola, Ribena, The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Department for Education.