More legal heat for 'Grand Theft' maker

Video game maker Take-Two Interactive revealed this week that it has been subpoenaed by a New York grand jury. The subpoenas requested documents related to hidden sex scenes in its "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" video game, as well as financial matters.

The game maker got into trouble last year over a so-called "Hot Coffee" modification for the game, which allowed players to unlock adult content. Take-Two recently reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission regarding the matter.

Take-Two said Monday it has not been told whether it or any specific individual is presently a target of the investigation. It said it is fully cooperating and providing the requested documents.

Blog community response:

"It's hard to see how the financial questions and Hot Coffee are related -- but the DA's office has decided that looking into both things is important."
--Techdirt

"The real question here is why after all the hoopla in the past few years won't lawmakers and prosecutors quit kicking this dead horse? Take-Two's been more than slapped on the wrist. Jack Thomson, Hillary Clinton and Joe Lieberman have gotten some big headlines with their scare tactics. Parents now fear GTA. What more could they possibly want?"
--Igniq

"Hopefully the grand jury will be able to shed some light on who knew what and when they knew it during last summer's Hot Coffee scandal. It will be interesting to learn whether corporate higher-ups were aware of the mini-game, or whether it was simply mischief created by a low-level programmer."
--Game Politics