GTA :SA has ESRB rating changed to 18+

[The Grim Squeaker]

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.'"

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Damn, this is annoying, I havent even bought the game yet and this may make it a nightmare to procure/

[Chmee]

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).

Rockstar is so screwed.

[Losonti Tokash]

Bravo, assholes.

Oh well, I bought mine about a month ago so I dodged the bullet on that one.

[SirNitram]

You know, the difference between 'Mature'(Not to be sold to those under 17) and '18+' is so small it makes me wretch at this. It's being made into a huge thing, simply because no one on the consumer/retailer end is acting responsibly.

[Spanky The Dolphin]

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]

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.

[Chardok]

Wait....so their...not going to sell it anymore? Must go buy NOW.

[Spanky The Dolphin]

No, they're still going to sell it, just either with an 18+ rating or with an M with the content removed. It's up to the retailers what they want.

[Spanky The Dolphin]

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.

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

[Datana]

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.

Once something's been added to a piece of complex code, it's six levels of hell trying to get it out again without breaking something else. Even if it seems just a simple script, you have to test practically everything again to make sure it didn't affect anything you overlooked, which is a massive investment of time and effort. The practical result of this is that locking unused things out is greatly preferred to cutting it entirely -- if you didn't manage to strike all references to the resource, it doesn't break the game when it's called by something you overlooked. If you explore the typical PC game (where space isn't a premium), you'll typically find tons of dropped features, unused textures, and other goodies if you poke around the files long enough.

With some of the new info out plus Rockstar's evasions ("It wUZ t3h H4X0Rz!!one1 0H N035!!!"), however, I'm not sure whether Rockstar intentionally tried to slip this past the ESRB or simply took the fastest route to cutting the minigame and got burned.

[Chmee]

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.

I wouldn't say it's impossible, but if so I think they're going to find that was not a wise choice.

[Chardok]

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.

[Faram]

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.

[Chmee]

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.

You mean they'll be legal again in a couple years?

[Ghost Rider]

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.

And now you know how many Americans wonder of their politicians.

Given the level of violence in this game especially hearing that SEX upped the rating is a funny joke.

[General Zod]

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.

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.

[Xon]

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

[Chardok]

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.

[Mr Bean]

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!

[General Zod]

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.

Way I see it, what's going to save them more money? Having their coders spend hours editing the source to 'fix' the naughty scenes and make sure there's no conflicts with the rest of the game, or simply boost the rating a bit?

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

[Chardok]

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.

[General Zod]

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.

I won't start worrying until I hear angry cries of "think of the children!111!" and the first wave of angry frivolous lawsuits starts appearing. Til then, no reason to worry.

[Spanky The Dolphin]

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.

[Chardok]

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.

Well, that may be true, and I'm not ashamed at all to say that it worked. I have no problem admitting my shortcomings!

[Xon]

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!

Hopefully the Australian Censorship board is smarter than the ESRB in America. You cant legally sell/exbit games rated R18+ in Australia.

That sucks and I wish it was changed.