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RockStar Confirms Sex Mod Not a Hack

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

July 20, 2005, 9:17 PM

UPDATED The fight over Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas came to a climax on Wednesday as the Parents Television Council called for a recall of the video game, and a statement from the game maker Rockstar seemed to confirm the Hot Coffee modification was indeed not a hack and was present within the game.

RockStar issued a statement late Monday saying it was providing a patch to prevent the modification in already purchased titles, and would stop selling the game while it works on a non-modifiable version. Wednesday's developments ostensibly confirmed that the scenes depicted within the game were created by the game manufacturer.

Effective immediately, the ESRB has changed the rating of the current version of the game to "AO" for adults only, and would provide stickers to retailers wishing to continue selling the current version.

The updated version would retain the original "M" for mature rating. It is not immediately clear how the change would affect its availability.

Earlier Wednesday, research provided to BetaNews demonstrated codes that could open up the same questionable scenes on both Microsoft's Xbox and Sony's PlayStation 2 gaming consoles.

The discovery indicated that the scenes were likely produced by Rockstar itself, at it is practically impossible for the code of an Xbox or PS2 game to be altered unlike PC games.

"Take-Two and Rockstar Games have always worked to keep mature-themed video game content out of the hands of children and we will continue to work closely with the ESRB and community leaders to improve and better promote a reliable rating system to help consumers make informed choices about which video games are appropriate for each individual," Paul Eibeler, Take-Two's President and CEO, said in a statement.

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By ThePermanentName

edited Aug 24, 2008 - 5:40 AM

All I'm going to say is this . . . If a person(grand-parent, parent, aunt, etc.) has not looked into all of the information and character actions in the game, don't buy. At that point in 2005 the rating 18+ meant - NOT FOR MINORS. It's people like that Grandma whom mess it up for the rest of us that like to play outlandish, crazy, and cool games. Honestly, from me and my brothers point of view. If you want to know what's in a game, buy the gamebook. If there is something you don't like about it, don't purchase it. It's as simple as that.

Score: 0

By ViperZeroOne

edited Feb 7, 2007 - 5:56 AM

I personally don't get it. I mean, this is as real as it gets people, and everyone shuns it. Frankly it's due to bad parenting. If people would bother to check the rating on these games they would have seen that they are NOT INTENDED FOR AN IMMATURE AUDIANCE. So why are parents of 14 year olds up in arms? Their kid should have never had the game to begin with. I mean, don't blame the industry for your own lack of parenting skills. Parents just don't care these days, until they see something like this on their big screen TV. Then they jump up and down, totally forgetting they were the one who skipped the "18+" and now "M" rating. Go to a bad part of Detroit, or San Francisco, or any other big city. This game isn't that unrealistic. It's called a wake-up call to reality. Also the fact that the game had to be "hacked", which is illegal, to get to the Hot Coffee mod is another thing that people should be questioning more. Point the fingers where they should be pointed, which by the way is not at the game companies.

Score: 0

By catfish182

edited Jun 27, 2006 - 8:06 AM

I feel both sides on this.
As a parent i dont feel GTA is a good game for anything under the age of 17. Kids do not need to play this game. to quote Paridine "OK.. everyone is kool with a Game you can KILL COPS, Beat women with BATS, PIck up HOOKERS, STEAL CARS, DO DRUG RUNS, and Commit every crime known to MAN" this is not a game for kids. Even if the kid is doing this in real life. So if take-two put sex in the game who cares? You are doing everything else. Hell after you get it from a hooker i am told you can beat her down. Why are they not blocking that? This is once again a case of bait and hook. The govt does not want anyone to think how stupid and fu#ked up they are so they will flame on this game. Why doesnt the govt come down hard on parents that are dumba**es. Where is Red Forman when you need him to put a boot in the a** of congress.

Score: 0

By partybart1

edited Nov 1, 2005 - 8:51 PM

what is the hack code for san andreas "hot coffe"

Score: 0

By bigjake73

edited Jul 27, 2005 - 1:40 AM

does anyone know how to get this new mode unlocked? if so email me at jkbalough@yahoo.com

Score: 0

By Bloodwolf

edited Jul 24, 2005 - 1:37 PM

Will all the furture GTA games be AO?

Score: 0

By Adrian79

edited Jul 22, 2005 - 11:16 PM

this is sick that all these white people have to b1tch..i mean, all these wierd people have to complain about the dummest things...they should just go take there kids to a soccer game or something

Score: 0

By gawd21

posted Jul 23, 2005 - 12:03 PM

By Adrian79

edited Jul 22, 2005 - 11:16 PM

"this is sick that all these white people have to b1tch..i mean, all these wierd people have to complain about the dummest things...they should just go take there kids to a soccer game or something"

Talk about ignorant.

Score: 0

By Paridine

posted Jul 22, 2005 - 1:32 AM

OK.. everyone is kool with a Game you can KILL COPS, Beat women with BATS, PIck up HOOKERS, STEAL CARS, DO DRUG RUNS, and Commit every crime known to MAN.

And the only thing they have a prob with is the Sex part.

What is wrong with this world

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Jul 22, 2005 - 11:42 AM

no joke... that's pretty messed up.

Score: 0

By alex@beta

edited Jul 22, 2005 - 12:01 AM

People! ESRB! Does anyone force you to download and apply the "hack" (or call it the "mod", if you like)??? I bet not! There are no sex scenes in the original game for your eyes, until YOU YOURSELF apply the hack! Rockstar don't do it for you, but you have to do it YOURSELF! And if your kid manages to do it - blame yourself and/or your kid (whatever you prefer). Get off the Rockstar back and through away the game. Or play it the way it is (with no sex scenes).

Score: 0

By Ainvar

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 8:25 PM

You know the fact of the matter is this.

If YOU dont like it, then YOU should not buy it.

If a kid wants it then it is the parents responsibility to step in and say no. If the parent does not the brains to do so, I dont think the rest of us they do not fiction from reality has to get screwed on this.

If you need to be taught what the freaking ESRB is then you have no need to buy anything.

The people that think someone needs to step in and control what I can and cant buy needs to really wake up and look around. Crawl back into your imaginary world where everything is sugar and spice and jesus can come and talk to you about the second coming over some tea and cookies and leave the rest of the real world alone.

Simple fact is, if you dont like the game dont buy it for or your kid that is YOUR choice, dont make it mine also. If you dont like what is on YOUR tv then block the channel so it cant be viewed on YOUR tv. Dont make it to where the rest of us dont have a chouce.

If you cant grasp this concept then please find a cliff for you and the rest of the lemmings to fall off of as you follow one another into oblivion and please for the love of whatever mightier power you believe in take the freaking politicians with you.

People that think this needs to be banned, made into a law to make it illegal are just lazy pathetic wastes of human flesh. Please think for yourselves and make your own choices, dont rely on some law or goverment to make that your choice and everyone elses due to your inability to put enough braincells to work to form an original thought of your own.

I hope none of these words are too big for anyone to understand I would hate for your head to implode due to the need to use your brain.

Score: 0

By CF24BALLER16

edited Jul 21, 2005 - 7:28 PM

GRAND THEFT AUTO IS A MATURE GAME. BUT, IT'S THE PARENTS RESPONSIBILITY TO GOVERN THEIR CHILD IN ALL THINGS. I SIT DOWN AND PLAY GAMES WITH MY 15 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. IF THERE IS A GAME THAT'S IN APPROPRIATE, I DON'T PURCHASE THE GAME FOR HER OR LET HER PLAY IT. I DON'T KNOW WHY EVERYBODY IS GANGING UP ON ROCKSTAR, WHEN MOVIES, MUSIC VIDEOS, ANIME AND REAL LIFE IS JUST AS BAD. WHAT GOES ON IN PEOPLE'S HOUSES, JOB AND PARTIES ARE OUTRAGEOUS. LET'S NOT FORGET THE INTERNET. PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS FILMING STUFF WITH THEIR CAMCORDER AND RUSHING IT TO BE POSTED ON THE INTERNET!!

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Jul 22, 2005 - 11:43 AM

nice caps lock button there.... is it new?

Score: 0

By drumcat

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 7:27 PM

From a recent "T" rated game...

Engage in close quarters battle, sniper fire, air attacks, and takedowns as a Ranger or a member of the Delta Force.

Test your fortitude in four-player split-screen co-op missions or fight it out on Xbox Live in Team Deathmatch, Deathmatch, King of the Hill, and more!

Maybe a revamp is in order... most war movies like this would draw an "R", right? Maybe it's time to look closely at the definitions of ESRB, better define, and let it at that.

Imagine if the Sims2 had a mod like HC.

Score: 0

By GhoS

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 4:42 PM

I use to work selling video games at a mass merchandiser and I think there is too little knowledge given to parents about the game content. Although presumably some parents just buy what the kids want anyway, I could not believe how many parents would buy the GTA games for their kids. They may be all the rage, but it isn't something I want my pre-teen playing.
However what I noticed at the store was that often the rating isn't enforced by the store. Its like the ratings don't matter to them.

Score: 0

By drumcat

edited Jul 21, 2005 - 3:28 PM

Ed, I think you should be aware of your jargon.

Mod = Hack.

A Mod, or modification, is exactly that - from Wikipedia:
"Mod or modification is a term generally applied to computer games, especially first-person shooters and real-time strategy games. Mods are made by the general public, and can be entirely new games upon themselves. They can include new items, weapons, characters, enemies, models, modes, textures, levels, and story lines. They also usually take place in unique locations. They can be single-player or multiplayer."

A Hack, from Wikipedia:
"This growing use of the term "hack" is to refer to a program that (sometimes illegally) modifies another program, often a computer game, giving the user access to features otherwise inaccessible to them."

So in the case of a game, a mod is a game-specific hack.

I won't encourage you to look up "hack journalism"...

Score: 0

By Crypton

edited Jul 23, 2005 - 2:40 AM

The game is made freely modable. This does not make it a hack.

Hacks are done by changing something that is not supposed to be changed.(take note the game is fully modable, everything is meant to be able to be changed in this game besides things like the exe ..) Better solution if it was not meant to be changed is include it in the exe, or remove it "Completely" which is was not, why? because as stated, it was meant to be changed. They can argue otherwise but us gamers/modders know what is meant to be and not to be changed. Rockstar knows the content would get unlocked simply because they made the game completely modifiable instead of locking that area of the game and making it non modable and, they included it when they could have easily removed it.. If you can follow what I mean. GTA was made with the ability to MOD therefore it is just a mod/addon Not a hack.

2 Examples of a hacks.
- Trainers: We all know what they do, no need to explain this one, at least 99% of the population who plays games have used them for something or at least know what they are. Even if most are single player use they are hacks because they modify the actual address contents within a game to give you things such as more money or lock the health value.

- Aimbots: They modify the game illegally to allow gamers to cheat multiplayer and see other players in order to have an advantage of getting them before the other player has a clue what is going on. (in simple terms) there are different types of aimbots, one of which uses OpenGL to draw the outline of a players body, or section of body making it viewable through walls ect.. Such as rendering the players head in a color that is bright and easily see on on screen. Anyways, back to topic.

I mod for alot of games, COD line, MOH, GTA, ect.. ect.. There is a big difference between a hack and a mod. It takes only 1 little spot in a fully modable file changed to unlock that feature in GTA:SA. Requires no hacking whatsoever.

Coffee Mod simply does it for you, for users who have no experience with modding a game, or at least modding this one.

Basically, it is neither Rockstars fault nor the Modders fault.

Sure it came with the game, but it was locked and was modded to be unlocked. Anyone who mods for games knows that games of this nature do not require hacking to add or unlock features of the game(s). the game(s) are designed to allow this to happen, I don't see that as grounds to call it hacking.

Score: 0

By LaminatedKitten

edited Jul 21, 2005 - 11:34 PM

i write MODs for Half-Life and Half-Life2, however unrelated I may sound, MODs are exactly what Wikipedia says they are, add-ons practically. What came out with GTA San Andreas was technically a "crack", considering the content was already present and just needed to be unlocked. Game specific hacks are not MODs, I would hate for someone to assume that because I write MODs that I hacked Half-Life. Think of the exploits in the Windows operating system that hackers find, because this GTA:SA *CRACK* and the guy that wrote it is THE video game equivalent of those guys that find and exploit the problems in Windows. OK, back on track, *** the content came with the game, this guy unlocked it, what now? tell rockstar to not put that crap in there. end of story*** Don't pull us map makers and MODders into this.

Score: 0

By Altman

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 1:14 PM

Whether it is rated AO or M, what is the difference? Technically a 14 year old can't buy either. Basically I would like to know, of the people who bought the game, would they still have bought it if it had an AO rating. It's all politics, I hate politicians.

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

edited Jul 21, 2005 - 12:42 PM

Has anyone read this article? ESRB ratings REQUIRE an "AO" rating if there are any "Obscene" sexual acts. That is the point here. "M" is not the highest rating. I do understand your points about it being a cop killing carjacking game though.

Score: 0

By Galway

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 3:04 PM

Its long been thought that boundries are being pushed back farther than it would be liked, and at too faster pace, trouble is they needed a game to stand out far enough to swing opinion of enough to have the law changed.

It has, therefore wheels are in motion.

I personally think it is a good move, even though the "We are being appressed / We are being censored / Whats with with stealing cars and shaggin women brigade are crying. Its because of all you people its being done. What next ? Rockstar the Terrorist, see how many people you can take out before the cops get you, or maybe the most financial damage ? Ohh, but what about the school MOD, where everyone complaines and says, "Oh so blowing adults up is ok but dont touch the kids !! whaaaa cry cry b**** b**** witty comment end thread"

Sound familiar ?

Morons

Score: 0

By javip

posted Jul 22, 2005 - 6:11 AM

hey galway.. i generally don't pay much attention to people who can't spell. if they are sloppy with their spelling, then they are generally sloppy with their thinking =)
it's boundaries not boundries
too faster pace doesn't make sense
it's oppressed not appressed

if you got those right, then maybe I would have then been bothered going into detail as to why your post is so stupid =)

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Jul 22, 2005 - 11:47 AM

where were you when I needed that spell check the other day!?

Score: 0

By drumcat

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 3:18 PM

Hey Galway -- where was all the outcry for Counterstrike? It's a game where you are a team of terrorists, and the object of the game is to defeat a group of counterterrorists.
BTW, it was a Half-Life Mod.
BTW, it was out years ago.
BTW, it was the Game of the Year, too.
BTW, it received a "T" rating.

Your posts are usually better Galway...

Score: 0

By monkeymcmonkerson

edited Jul 28, 2005 - 1:40 PM

Anyone who thinks the hotcoffee part of GTA is damaging to kids is an idiot... if anything the violence in the rest of the game is much more "adult" than the sex. Any kid who can look at the hidden files can also just type the word "sex" into google and see a lot more in the way of risque material. That said the folks at rockstar are more than a little stupid for damaging their business so badly for the sake of a little programmers joke, even if it was never intended to be seen. Such is the way of the arrogant computer programmer.

Score: 0

By drumcat

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 10:39 AM

I doubt prices will "skyrocket" -- there's only 50,000,000 copies already...

Yankee, I've said this over and over. It's a cop-killing car-jacking game. The title is the name of a FELONY! But whoa... add a litte sex portion (by your own choice) and Hillary and the Morality Police come hard.

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 12:39 PM

Not meaning to stir up political controversy--I just find it "Hilary"ous (lol another one) that you are grouping Hillary with the Morality Police, as the Morality Police are the one's who tried to make a big deal of Clinton's sex scandal...

Score: 0

By Crypton

edited Jul 23, 2005 - 4:34 AM

I find it funny and ironic that Hillary Clinton is even involving herself in this, considering it is somewhat of a sex scandal in it's own. lol

Guess you have to find some place to vent that anger towards a cheating spouse. GTA:SA just was at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Score: 0

By drumcat

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 3:14 PM

I didn't group her -- the "Morality Police" are anyone trying to witchhunt as holier-than-thou... I didn't care about the fact that Mr Clinton left babygravy on Monica's fancy blues; but I did care about his purgerous statements. All the political outtogetchas that made a big deal about the affair, etc. etc... don't care. He can spunk in any direction. He can't lie.

So the point here is that it's Cattlegate Hillary jumping on the "sex is bad for the village" business. Why now? Simple; it's publicity for her Primary run. And that's the bane of politics -- using an honest discussion about ethics, morality, and parenting, and standing on top of the hill and saying "see, I know what's best for kids."

There's some National Christian Coalition for Anything, on call, which is usually two dudes in a small office that rent out a phone bank to have $6/hr people call you at dinner time to read a script or to protest at the protest-du-jour. Hillary calling on these types presents the irony, and the hypocrisy - hallmarks of her coattails political career.

Hopefully this GTA hypocrisy doesn't benefit her at all.

Score: 0

By Iria

edited Jul 21, 2005 - 10:10 AM

It will be interesting to check eBay today to see if prices of the original version have skyrocketed :-)

Score: 0

By yankee17

edited Jul 21, 2005 - 10:15 AM

Does anyone see a problem with selling a game to the kids that encourages car theft?

Score: 0

By Crypton

edited Jul 24, 2005 - 10:47 PM

If I am not mistaken even with the M rating, that is mature 17+, where are kids coming into play here? That is the parents own stupidity for allowing their kids to get the game with a rating of M. Think you need to read and understand what the ratings mean before making ignorant posts.

and it does not encourage anything. Only an idiot would think something in a complete fake world is ok to do in real life. I am sorry, are you one of those idiots?

Score: 0

By Micronaut

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 9:14 AM

why is the parents television council involved in this? the game has an 18 certificate / M rating, children shouldn't be playing it. They're too ignorant to read the box when their 11 year old demands it in the shop. Would they buy their child a top shelf XXX movie if they asked for it, or an adult magazine? I think not.

Score: 0

By Mr. Tinker

edited Jul 21, 2005 - 8:28 AM

"Came to a climax" - get it? GET IT?!! HA!

Score: 0

By furydeath

edited Jul 21, 2005 - 8:11 AM

Parents need to stop blaming other people when there the one's who are the problome. You always seem someone talking bout there 10 year old playing it. Well most likely the parents are the one's who got the game in the first place.

Score: 0

By wilkesy

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 6:22 AM

whats all this on about?? wats wrong with the game!?

Score: 0

By Nikkie

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 5:08 AM

Another way for dead beat parents to be even more lazy with their children . I have noticed a lot of these kids get these games from their parents for x-mas .

''ESRB Rating: Mature (Content suitable for ages 17 or older.)''

If youre 17+ and can't seperate fantasy and reality , You have deeper issues ..

Score: 0

By athome

edited Jul 21, 2005 - 7:53 AM

Obviously, you missed the point.

1. Rockstar lied!
2. The game was clearly designed for an older audience.
3. 17yr olds may think they can make decisions wisely, but cannot.
4. For all the parents that gave this game as a xmas gift - fine! Let those parents contribute to the deliquincy of a minor - if they knowingly knew of the hidden code(I think not). It is their kids that they are corrupting
5. For all other parents that do want to keep this material from their children, should do with the comfort of knowing that the game manufacturer and ESRB is placing the appropriate rating on the game that reflects those values they wish to pass on to their kids.

The very tool used to provide this information to parents(since they don't play the games) is now at question only due to a game manufacturer's "hidden code." Hidden or not, all content on the CD should follow the ESRB's rating/audience that the manufacturer is targeting.

Score: 0

By Opinionated

edited Jul 21, 2005 - 4:57 PM

At home: I think you're totally right. Some of these people just don't think straight. Yeah, the parents have to learn how to be parents but, for those trying to be good parents, there's some manufacturer out there trying to deceive. To the rest of you; Yes, it is a political game with anyone else involved that isn't the consumer, the manufacturer, and the ESRB. Get over it. Stop sitting on your head eating JuJuBees and wasting your life away on stupid games. Grow Up and Get Morals.

Score: 0

By drumcat

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 10:48 AM

To answer:
1. Rockstar lied - yes; dumb PR move

2. The game was clearly designed for an older audience - 17+ in fact

3. 17yr olds may think they can make decisions wisely, but cannot - your opinion, since the law of majority draws distinct lines. Most of the time that's 18, but Rated M was accurate without code mods

4. For all the parents that gave this game as a xmas gift - fine! Let those parents contribute to the deliquincy of a minor - if they knowingly knew of the hidden code(I think not). It is their kids that they are corrupting - What; the title of the game describes a crime! Knowingly or not about the hidden scene, you made a choice clearly that if you buy this for a kid, you're ok with a CRIME-based game. The extra stuff is just that; a parent would have made a call about adult content ALREADY.

5. For all other parents that do want to keep this material from their children, should do with the comfort of knowing that the game manufacturer and ESRB is placing the appropriate rating on the game that reflects those values they wish to pass on to their kids. - It WAS appropriate, and still is. The code that you play was "M", and only code that you choose to get to by violating your license is sexual.

Let me be clear on this -- the poor bas****s that rated this game "M" were ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. Based on the criteria they were presented, and the game that had no "mod" and no apparent way to get to the content we're talking about, they did it right. Get off the ESRB's back. It would have been R* that would have to tell them about it, and R* likely chose NOT TO RELEASE that code so they could maintain that M rating. You don't yank code at that stage of software development; it's not wise.

Score: 0

By dlaws

posted Jul 22, 2005 - 3:46 PM

Actually, the poor bas****s were wrong. Absolutely wrong. Really.

But - it isn't their fault based on the reasoning you give - they didn't know...

I'm confused by your last comments. You say R* didn't release the code, but didn't remove the code in consecutive sentences. So where the hell is the code?

They did, in fact, release it. It's built into the game.

I think...

Score: 0

By geotrail

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 7:20 AM

I agree Nikkie.
Here in Norway you have to be 18 to buy the game. But I guess it's easy for kids to borrow their parents creditcard and order it only.

Score: 0

By mrp-

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 12:46 AM

i ****ing hate humanity

Score: 0

By imtoomuch

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 12:30 AM

So it's completely fine for kids to play a game where you kill everyone in sight, but God for bid little Johnny should see some sexual acts! These kids will most likely have sex at least once someday, but most of them will never kill anybody. I just don't get it at all. Some organizations are ridiculous. The Parents Television Council is one of these organizations. It's obviously a joke of an organization.

Score: 0

By tomaras

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 12:17 AM

Hard to believe anyone is worried about the addition of sex to a game like this. The entire premise of the game is so antisocial it's hard for me to believe that people buy it. Rockstar is a good case for what is wrong with society in general. They may be feeding a demand but it doesn't change the fact that Rockstar is right up there with drug dealers, pornographers and other pariahs of society. If you believe in Kharma...you gotta figure the Rockstar folks are gonna have something very bad happen in thier lives. I doubt the Rockstar principals take thier games to thier "proud" parents house to show them all the neat levels of mayhem they have created. This stuff is evil and bad for society plain and simple. It has a right to be made but it doesn't change it's much less than redeeming nature.

Score: 0

By Opinionated

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 5:06 PM

Somehow I don't think you are any better, assreamer. And by the way, societies is spelled like that. You just like that kind of crap because you have to jerk-off every night. Have Fun

Score: 0

By VikingBlade

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 8:56 AM

I wonder how Rockstar's new game: "Bully" will do to the parents.

Score: 0

By athome

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 8:11 AM

I would have to say that on the most part, I agree with you. These games are contributing to the downward demise. But some people do care about this and that is their right. Having the ESRB rating does not limit my right to buy the game or the manufacturer in selling the game, but does give people the choice they should be given in terms of buying.

Score: 0

By tomaras

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 2:23 AM

So you somehow think it's a positive game with some sort of redeeming values for society? Please elaborate on the positive aspects of Grand Theft Auto. That game is about as positive as the war in Iraq. Of course why would I expect someone who calls himself AssReamer and calls others cumsack to understand anything about society?

I can't believe I just responded to a teenage troll. My bad!

Score: 0

By dlaws

posted Jul 22, 2005 - 3:51 PM

Okay, I'll bite...

How is the war in Iraq as negative as GTA?

Good call on AssReamer, though...

Score: 0

By kholdstare

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 8:24 AM

well tomaras if you do think this game is the cause of societies problems you are feeble minded cause if a video game could be the cause of problems in a socienty then the society must not be that smart

Score: 0

By mjm01010101

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 3:04 AM

I played the game and had a great time. I also have two kids and adore them. I have a blast taking them to the zoo, I drive at or under the speed limit (seriously,) and I hold a respectable job and have friends and family that I love and I know love me. The game did not change my life, change my outlook on life, cause me to beat a prostitute or sleep with a ho. I did not rob a bank, I don't drink to excess and I never will. I loved the game and I anxiously look forward to the next one.

Censorship sucks. These family institutes don't have a clue. People need to trust your instincts for raising kids, and leave it at that.

Score: 0

By Crypton

posted Jul 24, 2005 - 10:57 PM

Amen!

It is called Freedom and the people who whine about it wanting things censored are just feeding ways to continue taking away those very freedoms we all have grown to know. Or what little freedoms we actually have left considering the ammount that has been taking away due to bs in the first place.

Score: 0

By dlaws

posted Jul 22, 2005 - 4:01 PM

I have to agree with mjm on this one. I've worked hard to establish (what I feel is) a moral foundation within my kids. It's my goal not to deny them aspects of life on this planet, but to provide them with the 'correct' perspective to have when experiencing (or avoiding) life. They know that killing & stealing are 'bad', regardless of how entertaining it may be to watch others 'pretend' to do it.

Score: 0

By tomaras

posted Jul 22, 2005 - 2:41 AM

Problem is I have to live in a society with YOU and YOUR kids. It's not every man and every family for himself. We live in a society with rules and regulations. I'd much rather my child interact with a group of kids who have never played Grand Theft Auto then a group of kids who play the game daily for many hours a week. If you are so hot to decide that your kids can play the game, I certainly hope you are also instructing your children not to play it with thier friends who's parent may not have given them permission to play the game.

Score: 0

By Opinionated

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 5:12 PM

With all due respect, the issue isn't about respect. I don't think you would buy your kids a cereal that came in the shape of boobs, p****es and vaginas, would you? The problem is that the company lied and labelled the product with a wrong rating. They do trust you or else they would ask you at the counter if you had kids, you say yes, and they refuse to sell the game to you. That is an issue of trust this is an issue of false advertisement. Sorry about being crass.

Score: 0

By Crypton

posted Jul 24, 2005 - 11:03 PM

The game was released with a M rating because it had no content that was accessible with an origional retail release.

The only thing they lied about was when it was unlocked at first they lied about the content being their origionally.

The rating of M was fair and still is. M is 17+ what is AO ?? Ahh, and a year makes that much of a difference? It is the parents fault, regardless if it has Adult content or not, the rating of M is warning to parents that it is not suitable for anyone under the age of 17.

So it is Rockstars fault that some parents bought it for their 14 year old knowing the game has a M rating?

think not. It is the parents fault. The problem with people is they do not read warning labels. You could rate the box saying it would blow up when you open it and some parents would carelessly buy it for their kid. Fact.

Score: 0

By athome

edited Jul 21, 2005 - 8:44 AM

you have just made the point that "tomaras" was making in part. It is your right to buy, watch, play the game by yourself or with your kids. Though others may have differences in their opinions of the game, you feel that yours is right because that is the way you feel. Others have a right to choose also. It is the way in which the game is sold and marketed that is at the root of the problem. These people wish to provide their kids with an alternative upbringing different than yours and should be allowed. They look for the guidelines provided by the ESRB in rating the games, based on the manufacturer's content - not hidden code that was intentionally written for accessing the information. It is hard enough to watch what your children do day in and out; and now not being able to trust(or question) the ESRB rating provided on the game.

Though you do not have an issue with this game, what about drugs, violence/gangs, dispensing of condoms in schools, pornagraphic material on billboards, drunk driving, masturbation, gay sex, cultural diversity, to name a few. I can only bet that you are young and naive - without wisdom.

If you choose to ignore the ESRB - fine, but don't take the very system that many parents do rely on. It is now under question due to the very values you speak of(or lack) here.

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By sheppe

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 11:03 AM

Whoa, you put masturbation and gay sex up there with drunk driving? I don't agree with your opinion in the first place, but now your credibility just shot down the tubes.

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By dlaws

posted Jul 22, 2005 - 3:54 PM

I think what he meant was not to masturbate gay friends while driving drunk. I think.

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By athome

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 2:13 PM

That is the beauty of our society, you don't have to agree to all the same things as anyone else. You seemed to have missed that. Choices! Take it or leave it, but don't push it on the other guy.

The point of my response you seemed to have missed. Oh well!

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By ajsaragosa1979

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 4:13 AM

here here buddy, although i haven't played GTA since the first one years ago, but i know what your talking about, im a quake/doom/half life fan.
yet i don't even own a gun. let a lone know how to really use one.
and a canadian no less LOL.
but i see absolutly nothing wrong with these games at all, except the fact, that the parents are buying these games for the kids, or knowing about it in the first place, with all the violence in them. screw the sex, pardon the pun, its natural. better to be taught the right way, then off the street.
if they ask tell them, if not, they probably didn't notice it, so ignore it.
and if its a 5 year old playing it, shame on the parents for letting them play it with or without the sex.

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By indoguys

posted Jul 20, 2005 - 11:55 PM

foxtyke your so right. I really get green and yellow to see people trying to defend a 'sex' scene but in the between time drugs, shootings, killings, war games and all stuff is freely avaialble in the stores on TV and so on. America should better take care first for this part. Giving people living in poverty some more attention, older people, health care and so on.

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By indoguys

posted Jul 20, 2005 - 11:51 PM

Guilty of what? What a idiot discussion going on about this some scenes in a game, look what they show on TV like war, shootings, killings and so on, hypocrits is what I call this I can't believe it. Hillary Clinton should know better she forgets the time how Americans jumped over her and Bill in the Monica case. Which was nothing special at all but blowen up high to the sky in the USA. So now some 'sex' scenes in a game and a whole nation starts to scream. What a big joke...

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By Mystiqq

posted Jul 20, 2005 - 11:50 PM

I wonder when this BS stops...

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By ajsaragosa1979

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 4:16 AM

when right wing groups STFU for once, oh wait, hilary is a liberal, well, she should STFU too LOL.

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By bigsexy022870

posted Jul 20, 2005 - 10:32 PM

Honestly Rockstar either knew the code was there and disabled it or a program did it and never inabled it cause the company wouldn't have approved. Either way Rockstar is guilty. But since it was not enabled in the shipped game they can't be held liable for a hack that inabled it. So legally they are fine. But the lies didn't help them, and may come back to bite them in the bottom some day. Sex mini game or not the game should have been adult only from day one. I've played it and loved it. But i wouldn't want my kids to play it, or see me playing it. n***** and **** every other word and killing is the only order of the day. All in a real world setting. I've loved the GTA series but either it needs to be toned down or it really needs a hard rating to prevent kids from getting it.

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By shinigami0522

posted Jul 20, 2005 - 11:43 PM

I do agree that the lies will comeback to haunt them but but the age of 17 or 18 children should be able to view and play whatever games they want. By this age they should be able to make correct, sound decisions which is why when one reaches the age of 18, one is allowed to vote. If a MINOR (meaning under the age of 18) gets ahold of this game, it is the RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARENTS to legislate what punishments or rules are imposed in their household.

Rockstar has done everything in their power to CLEARLY display that the game is NOT SUITABLE for children including ESRB ratings on the box cover as well as the CD cover of the game (which is NOT required by law) and even added disclaimers at the beginning and end of all of all of their commercials for the GTA series.

Reguardless of Rockstar's adding the sex mini game or whatever unlocked by the mod, the fact of the matter is, it was LOCKED content and was never intended to be used during normal game play. This content could also be looked as a backdoor which many programmers install into software they develop to bypass certain security features or to unlock certain aspects of a program otherwise locked to the general public.

If the ESRB decided that a change in rating is in order then so be it. But legal actions taken upon Rockstar are not only proposterous but completely and totally illigitimate.

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By shinigami0522

posted Jul 20, 2005 - 9:31 PM

Hey you wanna keep the game out of the hands of children? Here's a concept for you parents out there...BE PARENTS! Whatch what your children do and god forbit you might actually have to talk to them about right and wrong! This may be a new concept to many parents out there but, its a worthy one to explore. Don't blame the game creators, I don't see parents going after playboy and the like because they create sexually explicit materials.

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By slentz

posted Jul 20, 2005 - 7:01 PM

The rating of the game has been changed to "Adults-Only" see: http://news.yahoo.com/s/...MTA3cjE0b2MwBHNlYwM3Mzg-

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By ArabianNight

posted Jul 20, 2005 - 5:59 PM

sure this is bad but runnning over a cop in a truck repeadtly then getting out and stabbing him to deat, and taking his gun then shooting 20 other people then stealing a persons bike and going to the highway and placing two satchel bombs in traffic and blowing them up isnt...

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By foxtyke

posted Jul 20, 2005 - 7:53 PM

In America, blood, death, gore and murder are all okay as long as you don't involve sex... after all kids might see it and emulate it right?

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By sheppe

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 11:07 AM

Hehehe... well said and to the point.

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By drumcat

posted Jul 20, 2005 - 5:58 PM

Frankly, I wouldn't be annoyed if it was a sheep-humping mod. It's a mod. Don't mod your game if you're offended by sex. In addition, this means that you're ok with rampant violence and cop-killing, but somehow a little "howyabeen" is too much to take.

What if it was gay sex?
What if it was masturbation?
What if it was an orgy?
No, no, this is tame, anime hentai. You can pick up an average Japanese comic book and see a lot worse.

The lawsuits won't stand. Free speech will rule the day. Hopefully R* gets restitution from the hypocritical polititcians.

And for you, Hillary, at least the character is with his girlfriend, and not staining the dress of a trailer park queen.

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By ajsaragosa1979

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 4:18 AM

do you really think they care?
since the news broke, you can bet there sales for the game, went up 50 fold. enough to weather the storm, and more.
im now even thinking about picking up the game LOL>

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By randal2k

posted Jul 20, 2005 - 5:38 PM

the fact is that, this will only make the game more popular, and more widely spread via alternative methods. The game is an adult game as the 17+ rateing implies.
Make it an "M" rateing, hell then they won't need to hide the code.

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By foxtyke

posted Jul 20, 2005 - 8:01 PM

The game is already rated M for mature, it is now being rated AO for Adult Only by the ESRB...

Quote from GTASanAn.com-

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO) announced today that the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has changed the rating of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas on all platforms from "Mature 17+" (M) to "Adults Only 18+" (AO) because of the so-called "hot coffee mod," an unauthorized third party modification that alters the retail version of the game. Take-Two cooperated fully with the ESRB's investigation.

Rockstar Games will be making available shortly a downloadable software patch to render Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas for PC impervious to the "hot coffee" modification. Rockstar encourages parent groups and political leaders to assist with distribution of the patch to prevent the content of the modification from spreading further.

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By foxtyke

posted Jul 20, 2005 - 5:33 PM

Rockstar put it in originally, then in light of an AO rating they decided to disable the triggers for it.

So, why disable? To have the ESRB rate the game as they have the last games, M for Mature.

I mean, given the fact that Rockstar is looking for sales and profit and the fact most major retailers will not sale an AO rated game by policy, an M rating insured the games proliferation in the retail world.

So now, why remove the triggers and not the content? Simply put, in software development, it's much easier to leave in major sections of coding and just comment or rewrite the call routines for the sections.

Let's not forget though, in order to access the 'hot coffee' scenes you have to actively modify your game with either the modification or enter a number of codes through a game modification device.

In short, quit whining about something that was disabled in the production version of the game and isn't available without knowledge of its existence and knowingly modifiying the game to re-enable the coding.

If anything is to come from all of this publicity anyways, it's three things...

- More kids, who shouldn't even be playing the game, will find out about the hidden content and will actively pursue the keys (mods) to unlock it.

- Political posturing from those in the government and whiny parents who place the blame on the game maker instead of the parents for exposing children to the game with such content.

- Rockstar will most likely suffer financially for all of this and the political posturing and will be forced to innovate less and less in terms of games.

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By LaminatedKitten

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 11:56 PM

I love your point on this, yes, Rockstar DID put it in the game, but its not like your average gamer is going to see it, the 16 year old down the road playing it just so he can screw around in the city is not the person who is going to see it. Who IS going to see it is the horny people who go after the CRACK and change around the way it was designed.

"Let's not forget though, in order to access the 'hot coffee' scenes you have to actively modify your game with either the modification or enter a number of codes through a game modification device.

In short, quit whining about something that was disabled in the production version of the game and isn't available without knowledge of its existence and knowingly modifiying the game to re-enable the coding."

The knowledge given to you in foxtyke's two paragraphs there should end this whole issue, because that's what it is, it's a CRACK, where you have to ACTIVELY DECIDE TO CHANGE YOUR STUFF to access this. End it there. That's wher e I stand, and parents, don't come to us (game players and creators) because you don't agree with something that you didn't tell your child they shouldn't see.

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By Dolfhin

posted Jul 20, 2005 - 5:30 PM

YAY!

We have an war going on in Iraq, we have an international war on terrorist with an recent attack to on of Europe's metropolis and a growing number of people that have no problems with blowing up stuff in the name of a religion. And the US is worried about a sex scene in a game that's rated 17+ anyway!

Welcome to America, country of the stupid.

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By Maxwolf

posted Jul 21, 2005 - 9:02 AM

Damn! I thought we could go the entire post without someone bringing up that god forsaken country...ugh, and you got something in there too about stupid Americans. Classic like a cheese-burger you haters are.

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By PhoenixPath

posted Jul 20, 2005 - 5:24 PM

Still laughing. Clinton's pissed about sex scenes in a game about drive-by shootings, murder, rape, and drug dealing. She seems to care less about the drugs and killing. Apparently, she is fine with all of our kids growing up killing random folks, dealing and doing drugs and raping...so long as they're not watching it on TV.

Whatever....b****.

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By Pegusis2

posted Jul 20, 2005 - 4:44 PM

I've seen this run on a game of GTA and it's just a matter of hitting the keys/buttons in the right sequence and up pops the porn scene. It's an animated flash type movie... and yes it's included on all games, just like an easter egg from Windows 95.

And before anyone askes... I don't know the which ones or in which order they need to be pressed.

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By yleclerc

posted Jul 20, 2005 - 4:31 PM

If this code exists in all versions, how can this be just a hack job? Game Quality control missed this???

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By Pipewrench

posted Jul 20, 2005 - 4:00 PM

Everyone sucks

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By snafu4u

posted Jul 20, 2005 - 3:36 PM

After hearing way to much about this whole thing let me ask the following?

Who cares if comeone modded the game to enable surpressed scenes? They aren't part of the "real" game so if you don't want to see them, don't download the mod!!!

Also, i'm sure determined modders could add sex scenes to just about any game, if they really wanted too. THis however just allows those who lost out the last time people were pissing and moaning about this game to make some more noise.

Finally:

WHO THE HECK BUYS THEIR YOUNG KIDS GTA? THey can't drive to the store and buy it without mom and dad! Maybe parents should actually parent their kids instead of leaving to it XBox and PS2.

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By AmericanPsych0

edited Jul 20, 2005 - 3:57 PM

That's a good point to bring up against those "I never would have let my kids play GTA if I thought there was sex in it! Ooooh, sex! Taboo! Nevermind the fact that they're killing people for money, or dealing drugs, or bribing cops, or running over pedestrians, or having insinuated sex in cars with prostitutes, a sexual mini-game! Ooooh!" soccer moms. Anything to further their personal agendas.

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By Tame

edited Jul 20, 2005 - 4:01 PM

It's all about politics, not about game. Somebody just want to rise his/her rating aka popularity.
The second thought: what if there is nobody left to blame for your own mistake? Nobody wants to blame him/herself, better to find something else (rockstar in this case) :)

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By guitardave78

posted Jul 20, 2005 - 3:58 PM

Here Here!!
Stop blaming everything but the parents.
Was the same for music, film, then video, tv now games. It will be somthing else soon that is to blame for everything wrong in the world. Be it sex or violence.
But remember it is ok to score a hooker, shag her then beat her to death with a chainsaw....just don't show the sex scene. Get a grip and get a life!!!!

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By xpose

posted Jul 20, 2005 - 3:32 PM

Perhaps to win votes, Clinton should kill a terrorist instead or enact a law to make broadband cheaper. I don't know which is more pointless, this latest 'sex scandal' or the super bowl scandal 2 years ago.

If the kids spend the time to get the mod and know how to install it. Kudos to them, they deserve the reward for their hardwork. This beats watching scrambled porn or Cinemax after hours?

Bottom line, dont worry. This wont turn your kids into deomons. Take it easy.

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By Dboi

posted Jul 20, 2005 - 3:21 PM

i happen to agree with guitardave78 on this one..

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By GeneralLeoFF

posted Jul 20, 2005 - 3:16 PM

god d*** people are dumb.

the only "codes" that enable this to work on the PS2 version come in the form of game shark/action replay cheats. Thats not much diffrent then a hack/mod. The only realy known way to enable it on the Xbox is use a hacked gamesave or copy a couple files off the PC version and rip yer xbox disc and build a custom disc (requires a modded xbox).

It is already WELL KNOWN that the sex IS Rockstars own code and not something that modders added into the game. The hacks/mods/patch codes just ENABLE Rockstars disabled code.

As far as this mod being in the PS2 version being a big "Pro Rockstar did this" deal, the majority of the files among all versions of the game are exactly the same. The big difference between the games is the engine being moded to run on the diffrent systems. The resource files like scripted events and models are pretty much the same so it is no shock this code is in all versions of the game. So it;s realy not a shock this is in the PS2 version as well.

The following is still open for debate:

1) Rockstar planed on including the sex minigame but at the last minute decided not to do it and disabled the code and just left it at that.

2) Rockstar added the sex then disabled it in such an easy way knowing full well modders would find it and enable it in hope of keeping the heat off Rockstar. If this is the case (and I VERY MUCH doubt it) it kinda backfired.

The following issues can no longer be debated:

1) This mini game is/is not not Rockstar code.

2) Mods are not needed/not needed to turn it on.

Now in my opinion Rockstar should not be held accountable for this to the point that the game should be recalled and the game should be re rated. They could have done a better job of disabling the code tohugh and I would recomend all future pressings of the game do so.

I also suggest all these Democrats kissing Republican a** in order to gain political favor go and screw and/or kill themselves.

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By guitardave78

edited Jul 20, 2005 - 3:19 PM

For goodness sake. Lets deal with somthing important, not a bloody computer game. It seems that you have to use action replay to get to it, so it is hardly a mainstream cheat.
Sales of the game will go up, as will action replay, even if it is taken off the shelves. Same thing happened with postal.

It is a game, parents should monitor what their kids play, same as mine monitored what films i saw as a kid.

Next you will be telling me that heavy metal records have messages to the devil if played backwards

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By Galway

posted Jul 20, 2005 - 2:59 PM

I wouldnt be surprised if it was someone on the inside who released the information to access this mod in an attemt to increase sales.

If this is the case then it is even more shamefull and knuckles and wallets need to be wrapped as deterant for the future.

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By terminalx

posted Jul 20, 2005 - 5:31 PM

the issue with this that people keep saying over and over "we have to protect our children" this is a joke...the game is rated M not children not teen but M if a kid really wants to watch "lewd" sex acts just go watch a nc-17 movie or hell how about basic instinct? (which is rated R) now this is ANIMATED sex for one thing not very realistic and the game still states no children under 17 so if someone REALLY wants to see nudity that bad they can just turn on showtime, hbo, cinemax at night. This nothing more then a ploy of "we care about your kids" when this has nothing to do with the kids the game has been rated if a parent buys this for their kid and they are under 17 its the parents fault not rockstar. Changing this game to an AO rating is going to change nothing
(ao rating is 18 and up) big deal...so it cannot be sold in some stores...big deal...if someone really wants the game they ll get it...this is more of an issue for parents watch what your kids are playing don't ignore them so YOU hate video games at least get involved...and as someone else pointed out its ok to go on a bloody carnage, sell drugs, bribe and kill cops, shooting pedestrians but god forbid we show sex!! OMG!! not sex!!! sex is so feared in this country its mind boggling

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