Programs Cut Short Due to Insufficient Funding and Workers
In an unprecedented move that could have sweeping effects on the gaming industry as a whole, the Entertainment Software Rating Board Wednesday rescinded Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas’s rating and advised retailers to stop selling the game.
The lock-down and ratings revocation came after a lengthy investigation by the ESRB, which was spurred by the discovery of an explicit sex mini-game hidden in the free-roaming, genre-shifting super hit by Rockstar.
Using a mod for the PC version of the game or an Action Replay device for the console version, gamers were able to unlock the Hot Coffee mini-game which allowed them to use a controller or keyboard to have sex with a girlfriend after a date.
In making the decision, ESRB head Patricia Vance said the existence of Hot Coffee can’t help but undermine the credibility of her organization.
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.
The news came about 4 p.m. New York time, within minutes of the closing of the stock market, delaying the immediate financial impact on Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two.
Rockstar initially denied creating the content on the disc in a carefully worded statement that read in part:
In violation of the software user agreement, hackers created the “hot coffee” modification by disassembling and then combining, recompiling and altering the game’s source code.
Reached for comment Wednesday, Rockstar spokesman Rodney Walker called the decision a new challenge for the industry and digital entertainment in general.
Rockstar has offered retailers the option of either re-stickering existing inventory with an AO (Adults Only 18+) rating, or exchanging all unsold inventory for new versions of the game that has the hidden content removed and the original M rating intact.
The developer will also be making a downloadable patch available to all consumers who have previously purchased the PC version of the game, which will make the modification that unlocks the material inoperable.
The decision could have a sweeping impact on the industry as a whole. The decision forces the ESRB to consider Easter eggs, hidden content and perhaps even the ability to mod a game in rating future games.
It also could lead to a crack-down by the industry on the modding community, forcing game developers to spend more time making their games mod and crack proof lest they be held responsible for some future modification of their game.
No word yet from the politicians who have been calling for action against Rockstar and an investigation of the industry. I’m sure this could lead to some sort of congressional hearings.
No commentsPrograms Cut Short Due to Insufficient Funding and Workers
The Vast Empire was recently updated on the development of certain Weapons and Vehicle projects. Due to the nearly insurmountable cost of these projects, the date for the delivery of the Tie Advanced fighter has been extended, once again. It has also been said that these projects require a large work force, and that’s something the VE has yet to gather. We have all heard of the Tie Advanced, and the supposed tasks it can accomplish, but we were promised that our Navy would be equipped with these “incredible” vehicles long ago, and that we should have been able to have our fleet operational by this time.
It seems that this is a repeated happening in our time, that constant promise of new weapons, and technology that are to better our military, and our entire civilization. The delayed delivery of the new fighters have further increased my suspicion about our current manufacturer, and the employees that are conducting this project. These recurring extensions and sometimes, termination of projects make you wonder what is really happening with these projects, and if something may be corrupt within the Empire.
Suspicion and doubt aside, the facts I received from the report sent to keep us up-to-date on the Tie Advanced research and development seemed promising. As you all may know, the company released a prototype and conducted a test flight a few months ago. That flight is what keeps fueling our want for the fighters, because the technology they hold can greatly improve the effectiveness of our Navy. The possibility of a rebel attack is very probable at this time, and our citizens, soldiers and officers rely on the Navy to defend the great reaches of space when the Army cannot do so.
This brings me to another point, and that is the arrival of Armor Piercing Blaster Rifles to equip active squads in the Army. These rifles are to be sent within 4 months or so, and should greatly prepare our troopers for battle against all enemies, both humanoid and machine. Armor piercing rounds have been available only to Special Operations in the past, but Army officials have felt the need to change that, due to the overwhelming success of those weapons on the battlefield. The expansive versatility of an Armor piercing round can destroy the tissue of an enemy soldier, and rip threw the plating of an enemy vehicle.
With that last thought in mind, lets hope the delivery of Armor piercing weapons aren’t delayed like the Tie Advanced fighters unfortunately were. These technology projects were created to better the Empire in every possible way, not to start thoughts of doubt floating around in our soldiers heads. Within months we should be a unstoppable force that will be able to decimate any enemy that may stand in our way if the appropriate deliveries are made. Let’s hope that happens…
No comments