The recent controversy over GTA ads on Boston subway cars seemed both sudden and unexpected, but GamePolitics has learned that the issue is not a new one for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.

As far back as February, Boston Common Asset Management, which describes itself as "a full service, employee-owned social investment firm dedicated to the pursuit of financial return and social change," broached the subject of restricting video game advertising on MBTA vehicles with Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

A February 24th letter on behalf of the organization and its clients requested that an MBTA ad contract for the GTA series be allowed to expire without being renewed. A press release issued that day, which appears on the Boston Common Asset Management website says:

In light of the recent surge in violence in the Boston area, we feel it is particularly irresponsible of the MBTA to act as a billboard for products that promote urban violence. The advertisements have been running on the outside of MBTA Green Line trolleys and the Commuter Rail since January 3, 2006.

The ads mentioned would most likely be for the PSP title GTA Liberty City Stories, which was released October 24th, 2005.

In addition to Gov. Romney, the February GTA letter was forwarded to Mayor Thomas Menino of Boston and Kenneth Reeves of Cambridge. Both elected officials would go on to sign the November 20th letter from the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood which jump-started last week's controversy.