The Grand Theft Auto IV loading screen parodies celebrate the distinctive artistic direction of the 2008 open-world game. Characterized by high-contrast digital paintings and a 'pulp' aesthetic created by artist Stephen Bliss, these screens became iconic for their slow-zooming transitions accompanied by Michael Hunter’s theme, 'The Soviet Connection.' The meme involves taking characters from unrelated media—ranging from 'The Office' to 'SpongeBob SquarePants'—and rendering them in this specific art style to mimic the game's gritty atmosphere. It surged in popularity as a video format on TikTok and YouTube, where creators use the theme music to turn mundane situations or diverse fandoms into dramatic Liberty City introductions.