Sex offends me! I demand payment!

[Superman]

Give me a break

Offended by virtual sex? Get $35

'Grand Theft Auto' allows players to commit random acts of violence against police and pedestrians, but, apparently, a little sex crosses the line. Find out how you could get some cash from the uproar.

f you bought a copy of "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" and didn't like the idea of pixilated video-game characters having sex on your television, you've got some cash coming.

The game's maker, Rockstar Games, part of Take-Two Interactive Software, has agreed to offer as much as $35 to buyers who can show a receipt. Lesser amounts are available for those with less definitive proof of purchase.

The scandal broke in 2005 when hard-core gamers uncovered a bit of code that, once unlocked, portrayed simulated sex between the game's hero and a female character who invites him home for coffee. The so-called Hot Coffee scandal led to a number of lawsuits from aggrieved parents and grandparents, who said they should have been warned, and the prospect of new government regulation.

The title was later pulled from shelves and its rating changed from M -- for mature -- to AO, for adults only.

The simulated sex scene could be unlocked only after downloading and installing a software patch, which was not distributed by the game's publisher.

The "Grand Theft Auto" series has received criticism over the years for its depictions of violence and risqué themes. The games allow players to attack, rob and carjack bystanders and police while exploring and completing quests in imaginary cities.

As of September, some 20 million copies of the game -- released on Sony's PlayStation 2, Microsoft's Xbox and Windows PCs -- had been sold worldwide, 8.6 million in the U.S. Only copies made before July 20, 2005, are eligible for the class-action settlement, though. And only offended U.S. residents qualify.

Rockstar Games agreed last fall to spend at least $1 million and up to $2.8 million replacing the game with an edited version and providing refunds. Lawyers will get an additional $1 million.

The company is settling but admits nothing. A Web site to handle claims was launched in early January.

In addition to the monetary rewards, the company also offers offended gamers an updated copy of "GTA: San Andreas" that do not contain the offending code. The game retailed for about $50.

To file a claim online, click here. To download a claim form in .pdf format, click here.

How about the fact that I'm offended because I have to live in a super litigious society where people like to pretend sex is bad? I demand compensation for that.

[Zablorg]

Frankly, if dear old grandma finds the obvious premise of the game acceptable and appropriate then I don't see how low polygon sex shouldn't be.

[Superman]

Frankly, if dear old grandma finds the obvious premise of the game acceptable and appropriate then I don't see how low polygon sex shouldn't be.

I think the fact that someone bought this game must mean they're more than likely fans of the series. How offended could they really be?

[FedRebel]

So, let's sum up...

It's perfectly okay for little Timmy to virtually shoot scores of police officers

It's perfectly okay for little Timmy to virtually carjack old ladies

It's perfectly okay for little Timmy to go on a virtual genocidal rampage that'd make the Nazi's look like harmless kittens

BUT, it is not okay for little Timmy to witness fully clothed softcore "porn" that makes what Cinemax air late Friday night look like hardcore BDSM

[PeZook]

Frankly, the game objectifies women during normal play. The sex acts themselves are nothing compared to the way CJ typically treats his girlfriends, who are also pictured as neurotic trashy sluts to be used and thrown away. Then there's the pimping, cop-killing, genocidal rampages and gangbanging.

But, somehow, the sex itself is what's bad. It's like complaining about a movie glorifying Hitler, by saying that at one time he has sex with Eva Braun. And otherwise it's totally acceptable, really!

[ArmorPierce]

well considering that I bought the game years ago I definitely don't have the recept with me.

[Kanastrous]

But, somehow, the sex itself is what's bad. It's like complaining about a movie glorifying Hitler, by saying that at one time he has sex with Eva Braun. And otherwise it's totally acceptable, really!

I think that's a singularly American neurosis. There's virtually no degree of simulated violence that can make most Americans reach for the word "pornography," but catch a glimpse of tits and it's the moral implosion of the fucking world...

[Sidewinder]

I'm wondering what the fuck those parents and grandparents were thinking when they bought their children and grandchildren copies of the game. Or were they NOT thinking when they picked up a copy and overlooked a controversial title, a description of a controversial game, and a mature rating?

[ArmorPierce]

I think that they are really betting on people have not saving the recepit so that they don't have to pay $35 to that many people.

[Adrian Laguna]

I think that's a singularly American neurosis. There's virtually no degree of simulated violence that can make most Americans reach for the word "pornography," but catch a glimpse of tits and it's the moral implosion of the fucking world...

I blame the Puritans. It was okay to kill Indians and take their scalps, but show an ankle and you were a dirty heathen.

[FSTargetDrone]

I'm wondering what the fuck those parents and grandparents were thinking when they bought their children and grandchildren copies of the game. Or were they NOT thinking when they picked up a copy and overlooked a controversial title, a description of a controversial game, and a mature rating?

Sometimes I wonder if parents who aren't saavy about video games simply see them as a harmless toy? There's some pretty brutal/violent stuff that I wouldn't necessarily want my children exposed (if I had any). I wonder if they even know what games are like these days? If they aren't up-to-date about the content of the video games they buy for or allow their children to play with, they should start getting educated instead of absentmindedly allowing their kids to buy whatever they want. You have to wonder if some of them are even aware of the rating system.