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In a stunning move, the ESRB has advised retailers to stop selling Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. This report follows public pressure over the Hot Coffee debacle. Rockstar, the publishers of the game have given retailers the option of restickering the game with an 18+ rating or exchanging it for a new version with the controversial content removed. ESRB head Patricia Vance says 'After a thorough investigation, we have concluded that sexually explicit material exists in a fully rendered, unmodified form on the final discs of all three platform versions of the game (i.e., PC CD-ROM, Xbox and PS2). However, the material was programmed by Rockstar to be inaccessible to the player and they have stated that it was never intended to be made accessible. The material can only be accessed by downloading a software patch, created by an independent third party without Rockstar's permission, which is now freely available on the internet and through console accessories. Considering the existence of the undisclosed and highly pertinent content on the final discs, compounded by the broad distribution of the third party modification, the credibility and utility of the initial ESRB rating has been seriously undermined.'"

After a thorough investigation, we have concluded that sexually explicit material exists in a fully rendered, unmodified form on the final discs of all three platform versions of the game (i.e., PC CD-ROM, Xbox and PS2).

However, the material was programmed by Rockstar to be inaccessible to the player and they have stated that it was never intended to be made accessible.

Spanky The Dolphin wrote:

However, the material was programmed by Rockstar to be inaccessible to the player and they have stated that it was never intended to be made accessible.

Which makes you wonder why Rockstar didn't just remove the content from the game rather than just disable it. They should have been aware that since they just disabled it, there was a likely chance that someone out there would find a way to activate it again, which is exactly what happened.

Chmee wrote:

Spanky The Dolphin wrote:

However, the material was programmed by Rockstar to be inaccessible to the player and they have stated that it was never intended to be made accessible.

Which makes you wonder why Rockstar didn't just remove the content from the game rather than just disable it. They should have been aware that since they just disabled it, there was a likely chance that someone out there would find a way to activate it again, which is exactly what happened.

Maybe they anticipated a 'European edition' with the content unlocked?

Whatever ... they knowingly distributed porn to minors across interstate lines? Hoo boy, their lawyers are gonna be rich, but everybody else is screwed.

Spanky The Dolphin wrote:Which makes you wonder why Rockstar didn't just remove the content from the game rather than just disable it. They should have been aware that since they just disabled it, there was a likely chance that someone out there would find a way to activate it again, which is exactly what happened.

Spanky The Dolphin wrote:

Chmee wrote:

Spanky The Dolphin wrote: Which makes you wonder why Rockstar didn't just remove the content from the game rather than just disable it. They should have been aware that since they just disabled it, there was a likely chance that someone out there would find a way to activate it again, which is exactly what happened.

Maybe they anticipated a 'European edition' with the content unlocked?

Whatever ... they knowingly distributed porn to minors across interstate lines? Hoo boy, their lawyers are gonna be rich, but everybody else is screwed.

Personally, I think Rockstar actually wanted this all to happen, for the pure sake of publicity.

Spanky The Dolphin wrote:Personally, I think Rockstar actually wanted this all to happen, for the pure sake of publicity.

Chardok wrote: If they did, it worked. I just ordered a copy on Ebay about 5 minutes ago after seeing this article. Yeah, I'm a mindless corporate drone. But I'm a mindless corporate drone who has the pre-edited copy of San Andreas. I predict that Rockstar will be forced to remove this altogether. Get your copies now, boys, these babies are going to be like pre-ban 15 round mags.

Faram wrote:I really cannot understand why violence is OK but nudity and SEX is not.

Just ranting, but whitch one is actually worse? Anyone saying SEX needs to have his head examined.

Chardok wrote:

Spanky The Dolphin wrote:Personally, I think Rockstar actually wanted this all to happen, for the pure sake of publicity.

If they did, it worked. I just ordered a copy on Ebay about 5 minutes ago after seeing this article. Yeah, I'm a mindless corporate drone. But I'm a mindless corporate drone who has the pre-edited copy of San Andreas. I predict that Rockstar will be forced to remove this altogether. Get your copies now, boys, these babies are going to be like pre-ban 15 round mags.

General Zod wrote:Pre-Edited? It doesn't say they're changing the content in the article. In fact, the article in question doesn't seem to state what Rockstar's going to do at all. Just that they're going to be given the choice between removing the content or changing the rating, and that the ESRB has advised retailers to stop selling it. Methinks you're leaping to conclusions here.

ggs wrote:Hmm, rating changed for locked content. The same method normally used to hit a target rating.

Chardok wrote:

General Zod wrote:Pre-Edited? It doesn't say they're changing the content in the article. In fact, the article in question doesn't seem to state what Rockstar's going to do at all. Just that they're going to be given the choice between removing the content or changing the rating, and that the ESRB has advised retailers to stop selling it. Methinks you're leaping to conclusions here.

Do not underestimate the power of "The Administration" This is just the kind of ammo they love to feed on. I guess you don't remember the superboob incident and the shitstorm there was over that! At any rate. We will see. And if they do not, I'm none the worse for wear, since I was going to buy it anyway.

General Zod wrote:If they're smart, they'll do the cost effective thing and bump the rating up a notch.

Chardok wrote:

General Zod wrote:If they're smart, they'll do the cost effective thing and bump the rating up a notch.

That may well work; but in my world, I see Rockstar getting their asses sued the fuck off by "outraged" parents (to the tune of no doubt millions of dollars, because their poor children will be scarred for life. Killing hookers with a baseball bat is one thing, removing their heads with a sword is one thing, but having SEX WITH THEM?! Why, the very IDEA!), and fines levied by regulatory agency X, and they are FORCED to remove the crap from any other copies they press.

That's what I think. Which is why I leapt on the wagon and bought the thing today.

Chardok wrote:That's what I think. Which is why I leapt on the wagon and bought the thing today.

Spanky The Dolphin wrote:

Chardok wrote:That's what I think. Which is why I leapt on the wagon and bought the thing today.

Ah, you see, I think that's exactly part of what Rockstar wanted: people like you to freak out and buy it ASAP.

Mr Bean wrote:

ggs wrote:Hmm, rating changed for locked content. The same method normally used to hit a target rating.

You know that is quite true, most games DO hit the M bracket by submiting the game, seeing what ESRB does not like, withrdrawling the game, locking said content and re-submitting.


But heavan forbid anyone figure out how to unlock that evil content oh noes!