sonycowboy
Member
Yes, this has been out there for quite awhile, but it's really picking up steam. Expect reports from major media outlets in the next week or so. (Is God of War next?)
http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/07/08/news_6128759.html
http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/07/08/news_6128759.html
Gamestop said:ESRB investigating San Andreas sex minigames
Ratings board embarks on "thorough and objective investigation" of claims that Rockstar bestseller had explicit content hidden in code.
Today, one of the most popular recent game-industry rumors showed signs of turning into a very real scandal.
Prompted by a verbal lashing from California assemblyman Leland Yee (D-San Francisco), the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) today said it was launching an investigation into whether Rockstar Games' bestseller Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas contained sexually explicit minigames hidden in its code.
ESRB president Patricia Vance said her organization has "opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the 'Hot Coffee' modification." "Hot Coffee" refers to the mod which, when installed on a PC with San Andreas on it, unlocks several minigames which prompts players to have the game's hero in X-rated acts.
The ESRB's investigation will examine whether or not the mod unlocks pre-existing code, as appears to be the case, or is actually a purely third-party creation. Its ultimate purpose will be to determine if Take-Two violated ESRB regulations requiring "full disclosure of pertinent content."
"The integrity of the ESRB rating system is founded on the trust of consumers who increasingly depend on it to provide complete and accurate information about what's in a game. If after a thorough and objective investigation of all the relevant facts surrounding this modification, we determine a violation of our rules has occurred, we will take appropriate action," Vance said in a statement released this morning.
GameSpot will update this developing story as events unfold.