Clinton wants inquiry into 'Grand Theft' sex

In a letter to FTC, senator expresses concern over reports that anyone can unlock sexually graphic images hidden inside game.
The New York Times

The story "Clinton wants inquiry into 'Grand Theft' sex" published July 14, 2005 at 5:30 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

Content from The New York Times expires after 7 days.

[veccio1]

But is it 'sex'? Depends on what your definition of 'is' is.

Firstly, I've seen the silly hot coffee bit. There is no *****. No *****! It's modestly amusing in the way that Lara Croft's pointy, unrealistic breasts were amusing in Tomb Raider I. That is to say, anyone but the most lame dork would be interested.
Secondly- this patch was an unsolicited and unsupported patch to the game. If Rockstar Games created this code and they decided not to include it it's within their rights. It was not released in the final, and there's no way to stumble on to it unless you're really in need of excitement. It 's about as sensible to bring charges against them as it would be to sue Intel for overclocking your CPU and having it catch fire.
Thirdly- The content of sex, compared to the rest of the game is miniscule. It is far more violent than it intends to be sexual. This recalls the South Park episode where (spoiler!) everyone gets up in arms when "Butters" gets a sharp object in his eye, but everyone acutally is fretted by a "wardrobe malfunction". Hilary Clinton needs to stop being a weak minded centrist pandering to religious freaks- if they bought their kid this game, it's their fault.
Finally- There's no *****!!

I read differently

According to the patch's creator, the content _IS_ distributed with the game. According to his own words, all of the code, AI, graphics, et cetera were made by Rockstar. All of these things are also distributed on the CD to the end user; however, they are not accessible from within the game. All that the patch does is make them accessible.

The patch is only 1.24 megabytes. That would fit on an old floppy disk. Do you really think that an entire new mod would be that small?

[veccio1]

But is it 'sex'? Depends on what your definition of 'is' is.

Firstly, I've seen the silly hot coffee bit. There is no *****. No *****! It's modestly amusing in the way that Lara Croft's pointy, unrealistic breasts were amusing in Tomb Raider I. That is to say, anyone but the most lame dork would be interested.
Secondly- this patch was an unsolicited and unsupported patch to the game. If Rockstar Games created this code and they decided not to include it it's within their rights. It was not released in the final, and there's no way to stumble on to it unless you're really in need of excitement. It 's about as sensible to bring charges against them as it would be to sue Intel for overclocking your CPU and having it catch fire.
Thirdly- The content of sex, compared to the rest of the game is miniscule. It is far more violent than it intends to be sexual. This recalls the South Park episode where (spoiler!) everyone gets up in arms when "Butters" gets a sharp object in his eye, but everyone acutally is fretted by a "wardrobe malfunction". Hilary Clinton needs to stop being a weak minded centrist pandering to religious freaks- if they bought their kid this game, it's their fault.
Finally- There's no *****!!

I read differently

According to the patch's creator, the content _IS_ distributed with the game. According to his own words, all of the code, AI, graphics, et cetera were made by Rockstar. All of these things are also distributed on the CD to the end user; however, they are not accessible from within the game. All that the patch does is make them accessible.

The patch is only 1.24 megabytes. That would fit on an old floppy disk. Do you really think that an entire new mod would be that small?

[albatros246]

Don't vote for this uber-b^@tch

For some reason lately she has been all-over the place in search for publicity.
She is oportunistic, and this is just another way for her to look like "tough" and protecting families and little children from sex/violence.

Whatever. I am tired of hearing from this dumb congres-people (Liberman comes to mind) complaining about sex and violence in videogames. These guys never played a game, and probably imagine the typical gamer as a 14 years old boy.
Not, so, average gamer is 28-29, and adult enough to know what to play or what not.

Just turn on your TV and see what kind of violence/sex is there. Much worse (especially on cable).

My 2 cents: Don't vote for these people, who want to curtail your freedom on what can you play.
(No, I am not republican)

[albatros246]

Don't vote for this uber-b^@tch

For some reason lately she has been all-over the place in search for publicity.
She is oportunistic, and this is just another way for her to look like "tough" and protecting families and little children from sex/violence.

Whatever. I am tired of hearing from this dumb congres-people (Liberman comes to mind) complaining about sex and violence in videogames. These guys never played a game, and probably imagine the typical gamer as a 14 years old boy.
Not, so, average gamer is 28-29, and adult enough to know what to play or what not.

Just turn on your TV and see what kind of violence/sex is there. Much worse (especially on cable).

My 2 cents: Don't vote for these people, who want to curtail your freedom on what can you play.
(No, I am not republican)

Umm... What did you expect?

Knowing the history of these titles (they have been controvesial since GTA 1) What did you think you where buying for your kids? Rockstar just expanded on the GTA series which has included explicit content (strip clubs, prostitutes, porn stars) since version III. This is nothing new, and if you let your kids buy this stuff then shame on you... I am a firm believer that parents need to monitor thier children. Its not Rockstar's or the ESRB,s responsibility to parent your children, its your responsibility. By the way The sex with girlfriends (sounds and implications, no visuals)are part of the actual game, not a hacker patch. The hacker patch shows nudity where it wasn't before. I love these politicians who claim to be experts on certain games and have never played the game, but only relay what they have been told about it. Where was Hillary when the hackers turned the beach in the DOA Volleyball game for Xbox into a nudist colony with a downloadable patch? Where was Hillary when Dave Mira BMX XXX came out WITH NUDITY ALREADY INCLUDED!!???!!! Guess the politicians missed that one! GTA is a bad game that should not be sold to minors, but sticking MORE labels on it saying it is bad or sensoring the video game publishers for making it isn't going to fix anything. You know what will? Parents- start parenting your kids, and maybe you should monitor what they play and watch, so that those types of games, movies and other questionable media don't get into your kids hands. That is your job as a parent. You are responsible for them, and not anybody else.

Umm... What did you expect?

Knowing the history of these titles (they have been controvesial since GTA 1) What did you think you where buying for your kids? Rockstar just expanded on the GTA series which has included explicit content (strip clubs, prostitutes, porn stars) since version III. This is nothing new, and if you let your kids buy this stuff then shame on you... I am a firm believer that parents need to monitor thier children. Its not Rockstar's or the ESRB,s responsibility to parent your children, its your responsibility. By the way The sex with girlfriends (sounds and implications, no visuals)are part of the actual game, not a hacker patch. The hacker patch shows nudity where it wasn't before. I love these politicians who claim to be experts on certain games and have never played the game, but only relay what they have been told about it. Where was Hillary when the hackers turned the beach in the DOA Volleyball game for Xbox into a nudist colony with a downloadable patch? Where was Hillary when Dave Mira BMX XXX came out WITH NUDITY ALREADY INCLUDED!!???!!! Guess the politicians missed that one! GTA is a bad game that should not be sold to minors, but sticking MORE labels on it saying it is bad or sensoring the video game publishers for making it isn't going to fix anything. You know what will? Parents- start parenting your kids, and maybe you should monitor what they play and watch, so that those types of games, movies and other questionable media don't get into your kids hands. That is your job as a parent. You are responsible for them, and not anybody else.

[DustoMan]

This is getting out of hand...

You think these politicans would have better things to do. This is a mod to the game. It's not part of the shipping product. The user needs to download the mod and install it in order to get these scenes. They don't realize that the more they talk about this, the more kids will want it.

[Datalus]

A ridiculous argument for an easily targeted game

I going briefly recap the scenario and argument: Rockstar release GTA: San Andreas with a sexually explicit scene located with in the game's actual computer code, although it is not accessable through the game at all through regular means. Somebody used their elite hacking skills and 3rd party tools not supported by Rockstar or Sony to find the code and unlock it into the game. The current argument about this is that Rockstar distributed GTA: SA with the sexually explicit scene, even though it was not intended to be accessed.

The only reason to that I can assume that Rockstar left the scene in the game was because they were going to include it, but decided not to at the last minute. Removing the computer code would be to difficult for their current restrictions. Again, this is just an assumption and not a proven fact.

There is no argument because this scene is not in the playable game. A person hacked the game's code and modified it so it would. Remember: people play games, not source code.

[DustoMan]

This is getting out of hand...

You think these politicans would have better things to do. This is a mod to the game. It's not part of the shipping product. The user needs to download the mod and install it in order to get these scenes. They don't realize that the more they talk about this, the more kids will want it.

[Datalus]

A ridiculous argument for an easily targeted game

I going briefly recap the scenario and argument: Rockstar release GTA: San Andreas with a sexually explicit scene located with in the game's actual computer code, although it is not accessable through the game at all through regular means. Somebody used their elite hacking skills and 3rd party tools not supported by Rockstar or Sony to find the code and unlock it into the game. The current argument about this is that Rockstar distributed GTA: SA with the sexually explicit scene, even though it was not intended to be accessed.

The only reason to that I can assume that Rockstar left the scene in the game was because they were going to include it, but decided not to at the last minute. Removing the computer code would be to difficult for their current restrictions. Again, this is just an assumption and not a proven fact.

There is no argument because this scene is not in the playable game. A person hacked the game's code and modified it so it would. Remember: people play games, not source code.

Husbands sexcapades could be a worse

game! She is a hypocrite, and now I will never vote for a
censorship candidate. What ever happened to freedom of
expression? Why talk about kids always/adults buy these
games, and play them also.

GET OUT OF MY LIFE AND QUIT TELLING ME WHAT IS
WRONG OR RIGHT.

Start at your own marriage, loser Hillary Rotten.

Husbands sexcapades could be a worse

game! She is a hypocrite, and now I will never vote for a
censorship candidate. What ever happened to freedom of
expression? Why talk about kids always/adults buy these
games, and play them also.

GET OUT OF MY LIFE AND QUIT TELLING ME WHAT IS
WRONG OR RIGHT.

Start at your own marriage, loser Hillary Rotten.

Like everyone else

You have to be 18 or older to buy this game in the first place. It
has extreme violence, and in some cases the objective of the
mission is to kill cops. You can buy porn in most states starting
at age 18. So, what is the big deal if over 18 year olds are
watching porn in a video game, let alone had to hack it in by
adding some software to the mix to do it. Some people just
need to stop saying, "What about the children?", because
children should not be playing this game in the first place. Every
one that says to look into this matter, needs to go fsck()
themself.

Like everyone else

You have to be 18 or older to buy this game in the first place. It
has extreme violence, and in some cases the objective of the
mission is to kill cops. You can buy porn in most states starting
at age 18. So, what is the big deal if over 18 year olds are
watching porn in a video game, let alone had to hack it in by
adding some software to the mix to do it. Some people just
need to stop saying, "What about the children?", because
children should not be playing this game in the first place. Every
one that says to look into this matter, needs to go fsck()
themself.

[Fray9]

Stupid people?

Its silly really.

The game is called "Grand Theft Auto" not "Fuzzy Bunny and Friends". If a game is named after a crime, then it doesnt take an genius to realize its probably not for children.

Your child asks to go to a friends house to play grand theft auto.. alarm bells should sound in your head.

Your child wants you to buy it, alarm bells should sound as soon as you hear the title.

Your child buys it without your permission, you see him playing a game, ask him what it is, he says Grand Theft Auto. Do you walk away and go "Ah must be an educational game". No.

Parents dont want to take responsibility for monitoring their children so demand that the government do it for them.

Unless these parents are extremely stupid, they dont need the government to watch their children for them and chip away at the first amendment so you can continue to ignore your child and still ensure that your child cant possibly be exposed to something that could possibly offend anyone.

If your that loathe to raise your children, then do them a favor and have childrens services come pick them up immediately.

Hmm...

Parents do need to monitor their children. However, ratings are supposed to be a tool to help parents in this endeavor. True, the parent is ultimately responsible for monitoring and restricting the child. Still, there is responsibility on the part of manufacturers and retailers to prevent the corruption of the youth.

The problem lies in an untrustworthy system. If it is decided that games with explicit sexual content are adult only, and yet one such game is being sold as rated M, there is a big problem.

[Fray9]

Stupid people?

Its silly really.

The game is called "Grand Theft Auto" not "Fuzzy Bunny and Friends". If a game is named after a crime, then it doesnt take an genius to realize its probably not for children.

Your child asks to go to a friends house to play grand theft auto.. alarm bells should sound in your head.

Your child wants you to buy it, alarm bells should sound as soon as you hear the title.

Your child buys it without your permission, you see him playing a game, ask him what it is, he says Grand Theft Auto. Do you walk away and go "Ah must be an educational game". No.

Parents dont want to take responsibility for monitoring their children so demand that the government do it for them.

Unless these parents are extremely stupid, they dont need the government to watch their children for them and chip away at the first amendment so you can continue to ignore your child and still ensure that your child cant possibly be exposed to something that could possibly offend anyone.

If your that loathe to raise your children, then do them a favor and have childrens services come pick them up immediately.

Hmm...

Parents do need to monitor their children. However, ratings are supposed to be a tool to help parents in this endeavor. True, the parent is ultimately responsible for monitoring and restricting the child. Still, there is responsibility on the part of manufacturers and retailers to prevent the corruption of the youth.

The problem lies in an untrustworthy system. If it is decided that games with explicit sexual content are adult only, and yet one such game is being sold as rated M, there is a big problem.

[IleyP]

Get Real....What is the definition of "IS?"

The folks of GTA need to respond to this inquiry with the same stupid question her husband had...what is the definition of "is?"

Maybe if you move the atmosphere to the White House and after the supposed scandalous sex, we could have a little ***** stain appear on the sex partner's clothing, then the senator would not be so "offended."

If the "honorable senator from New York" wants to do something worthwhile, let her initiate a bill that would only allow presidents who serve the full 8 years collect 50% of their salary. It is good enough that the military can only retain half their military pay after serving 20 years.....how does a lousy president who only does 8 years get to retain 100% of their pay? Does that sound fair....

The president has a whole company of people willing to take a bullet if someone shoots at him...the military has to take the bullet all by themselves and then pay for the medical benefits they will need after taking the bullet....

Come on...do something worthwhile....censorship in spite of all your husband has done is quite hypocritical.

[IleyP]

Get Real....What is the definition of "IS?"

The folks of GTA need to respond to this inquiry with the same stupid question her husband had...what is the definition of "is?"

Maybe if you move the atmosphere to the White House and after the supposed scandalous sex, we could have a little ***** stain appear on the sex partner's clothing, then the senator would not be so "offended."

If the "honorable senator from New York" wants to do something worthwhile, let her initiate a bill that would only allow presidents who serve the full 8 years collect 50% of their salary. It is good enough that the military can only retain half their military pay after serving 20 years.....how does a lousy president who only does 8 years get to retain 100% of their pay? Does that sound fair....

The president has a whole company of people willing to take a bullet if someone shoots at him...the military has to take the bullet all by themselves and then pay for the medical benefits they will need after taking the bullet....

Come on...do something worthwhile....censorship in spite of all your husband has done is quite hypocritical.

Blame "Hackers"

Blaming this on a rogue group of "hackers" is an incredibly deceptive ploy that is intended to sucker the technically ignorant majority.

"Hackers" - the unlocking program was created by one man, not a super secret group of malicious technophiles. This term is supposed to evoke fear; it is supposed to give us the fear of "THEM".

Second, this program does not _add_ the sexual content to the game. That content is already on the disc, but is simply inaccessible. Rockstar created the material, and then put a padlock over the door. This program simply removes the padlock.

Blame "Hackers"

Blaming this on a rogue group of "hackers" is an incredibly deceptive ploy that is intended to sucker the technically ignorant majority.

"Hackers" - the unlocking program was created by one man, not a super secret group of malicious technophiles. This term is supposed to evoke fear; it is supposed to give us the fear of "THEM".

Second, this program does not _add_ the sexual content to the game. That content is already on the disc, but is simply inaccessible. Rockstar created the material, and then put a padlock over the door. This program simply removes the padlock.

Sounds like someone is running for President

Sounds like she's already running for President. Gotta get some street cred with the 'family values' crowd before the primaries!

Sounds like someone is running for President

Sounds like she's already running for President. Gotta get some street cred with the 'family values' crowd before the primaries!