The Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series of computer games thrives on controversy and they’ve got themselves a stolen car full this time. Rockstar Games, the game’s manufacturer may have more on their plate than they can handle.
These games have always had problems with many groups because the games are about street violence and crime. Gameplayers get to randomly shoot people in the streets, steal cars, run over people with cars, beat up other gang members, traffic drugs, pick up hookers and the list goes on. Few consider these habits and traits admirable but then comes the Hot Coffee.
Hot Coffee is the name of mod some independent games players created for the game. The controversy this time comes in on what the mod does. Mods are modifications created for computer games that allow users to make all kinds of changes in the way the games looks, the way the game plays, feels etc. One can add new tasks to complete, new foes to defeat, or new gadgets to play with. The industry generally encourages mods to games because it can extend the life of many games for years beyond its initial run. In this case some visual content may or may not have been added.
The point in the game where the mod really shows itself happens when the hero makes a “booty call” at his lady friend’s apartment for a cup of coffee. During normal game play, users are treated to all the sounds of a young couple in love. With the mod only available for the PC version, users are treated to a full-fledged “skinamax” experience.
The debate comes from whether or not this mod merely revealed something already in the game or added something brand new to the game. Rockstar Games says the Amsterdam based mod group, led by Patrick Wildenborg, 36, added something brand new the game. The group maintains they just revealed some existing code already in the game. Wildenborg said what they did was create a software key and it unlocks the sexually graphic material otherwise locked away in the game. Rockstar is saying they put no such thing in their game. That is, in a nutshell, the problem.
The ESRB began an investigation into the game, which means they will pour over the game code as well as the mod to determine what’s going on. If they determine the game contains the code alleged by Wildenborg, then the game rating could well change to an AO or adults only tag. This would severely tap into the game sales as massive retailers like Wal-Mart would likely drop the phat game.
The game itself caused a fair amount of controversy when it was first released, partly because of the cast big time Hollywood stars in the game. Voices of actors like Samuel Jackson, James Woods, Peter Fonda, Chris Penn, Bijou Phillips, Ice-T, Chuck D, and then there’s the “radio” in the game. It includes Punkipus, aka George Clinton, Andy Dick and Axl Rose as well as many others.
Right now, it’s a wait and see game as the ESRB determines what’s up.
John Stith is a staff writer for Murdok covering technology and business.
