Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (1 Viewer)

[David Galindo]

If you havent bought San Andreas by now...your too late.

A huge recall is happening across major retail outlets...looks like the GTA rating of M has changed to AO (adults only).

More info here:
http://www.thegate.ca/news/more.php?id=921_0_1_0_M

 

[Jeff Reis]

I just went out and grabbed the Xbox version at Meijer...not for the dopey sex codes, I just hadn't picked up the game yet and I want to play it--didn't want to wait until they get this mess sorted out.

Found the PC version at Walmart and when I got to the register it wouldn't let her sell it to me because of the recall.

 

[Chris Bardon]

Didn't think I'd ever see the day where a game that featured everything that GTA does is pulled because of one crappy sex minigame (which from the look of things, is even less then you get in something like LSL).

Haven't picked up the Xbox SA yet, but I might have to check if Blockbuster still has that used copy tonight on the way home. I'm guessing that since the link went to a Canadian site that the "recall" is happening up here as well?

 

[Ken Chui]

I just returned from Micro Center where I picked up my PS2 copy for $27.83 + tax (they had ~6 copies left on the shelves); the Xbox and PC versions were still $49.99. If anyone wants a copy of any version, PM me.

 

[Chris Bardon]

Stopped by Blockbuster on the way home, and the used copies that were there were all gone, as were their new and rental copies. Also noticed that FutureShop and Bestbuy had removed it from their websites. Ended up getting a copy at the grocery store of all places...

Not sure if this is a big deal or not, but I'd rather not miss out on getting this game because of a few puritains. I was hoping to get it for less than the $55 that I paid for it, but at least I have a copy now. It'll be interesting to see if it disappears later on or not...

 

[David Galindo]

Gamestop just recalled all copies...man, its gonna be tough to find one pretty soon.

 

[PerryD]

It's in today's Fry's ad for $35. Curious if they are still stocking it though.

 

[chris_m_white]

This is a game where I can walk up to an innocent bystander on the street, and blow their head off with a shotgun. Or sneak up behind them and stab them in the throat with a knife. Or take a baseball bat, shovel, or nightstick and club them to death. Yet a sex mini-game, that most people can't even access is the cause for all this alarm?!

It's a GTA game! What's a parent supposed to think? "Whew, I'm glad they recalled the version of the game with the sex in it. Now my son can go back to beating up prostitutes and starting turf wars."

 

[Evan M]

IMHO, the game should be AO .. if that means retailers won't sell it, then we obviously need a better system in place for buying video games. The problem is not that the rating has suddenly been changed to AO, but that it was ever only MA in the first place.

The ESRB has a long way to go if they are going to ever get as much respect for their ratings as movies do... and have those ratings dictate who can and cannot buy games rather than just be "suggestions".

If there were a system in place to prevent children from purchasing MA/AO games in teh first place, stores wouldn't have to remove the game .. they'd just move it to the Adults Only section. But, at this point, it's too taboo to have Adult games on your shelves when anyone can browse any section they want to.

I think this is a good sign for the gaming industry .. that someone is finally going to step up against one of the large, successful game makers and say "ENOUGH!". I am hopeful that this will encourage someone to get a realistic rating system for games and police the content a little better. I mean, why don't video game consoles have something similar to the V-Chip? Where parents can set it to not allow their children to play MA or AO rated games.. and have the rating built into the game disc?

Sure, most parents don't give a crap ... but that's a whole different topic. For those that do, I think this is a potentially good step in the right direction.

 

[Ken Chui]

Although I paid just under $30 for my copy, I was hoping to pick up the game when it's relegated to 'Greatest Hits' status.

I don't think the relabeled 'AO' copies will find their way into B&M retailers, at least around here; as for the edited copies, I wouldn't purchase one as a matter of principle.

 

[Kenneth]

I am curious how the edited copies are a matter of principle. Personally this series has never interested me but it is the Game Company that is at fault in this recall, not the stores or the people who forced it.

Actually the company got off relatively light, considering. The best proposal I have heard for a punishment is that the company would have a two year moratorium on being rating. This would only allow them to engage in direct sales. That would seem to send the most powerful messages to them and other companies that they need to be much more careful in their quality control or more forthcoming about hidden features.

As others have noted I find myself with a certain level of bemusement that a game with Misanthropic levels of violence is pulled because of sex scenes. It seems hypocritical in the least and misguided at the worst. Hopefully this will begin a valid discussion of what types of games should be available to what audiences.

Cheers,

Kenneth

 

[Ken Chui]

Regardless of whether the code for the mini-game was/was not intended to be a part of the original product is irrelevant; it is, however, a part of the original pressing of the disc. Any content that is subsequently removed is a deviation of the said product and I want no part of it.

 

[Keith_R]

In light of the recall I'm glad I went ahead and splurged on the X-Box copy a couple weeks ago.

I haven't seen the supposed minigame hack but I could care less about it, if I want porn I'll go buy the real thing at the store.

I didn't buy GTA:SA for this hack. I bought it because I knew it would be a great game, which it is.

 

[Ken Chui]

I can think of two reasons off-the-bat: 1) it would add an unnecessary cost to the console, and 2) it will be ineffective. Kids are resourceful and resilient; having a V-Chip equivalent would not deter them from accomplishing their goal. It may be effective for younger children, but older kids are more tech-savvy than their parents; input codes can be cracked.

 

[BrianB]

Microsoft just announced the XBox360 will have a content lock system for parents.

 

[Richard Kim]

It doesn't help when Toys R Us sells M-rated games like San Andreas in its stores. They sell DVDs too, but you don't see any R-rated movies in their shelves.

 

[Porfirio]

TRU is very good at preventing the sale of M-rated titles to minors.

 

[Ken Chui]

Here is an interview with ESRB president Patricia Vance regarding the Grand Theft Auto controversy. IMO, I believe that the matter was handled swiftly and appropriately by the ESRB.

In an on-air interview with California assemblyman Leland Yee (conducted by G4TV), he admitted that he doesn't play video games (not surprising), but more importantly, had not seen the questionable material from the GTA:SA mini-game. (For anyone not familiar with Yee's name, his criticism of the GTA:SA mini-game content and the ESRB triggered a chain reaction, which was subsequently picked up by senator Clinton. He's also trying to push forth Assembly Bill 450, a piece of legislation that would levy fines of $1,000 per infraction on retailers who sell violent games to minors).

 

[Porfirio]

I'm all for the restriction of selling "violent" games to minors. If this piece of legislation is what is needed in order to allow game developers the freedom to create and for me to purchase the next GTA, so be it. But... we all know how this will eventually turn out.

1.) Some where, some parent is going to purchase the next installment of [insert "violent/dangerous to johnny" game title here] for their kid(s).

2.) Eventually that parent will find his kid playing it, will be shocked and offended.

3.) Will complain that the game was sold to a minor, even though the parent was the one who purchased it.

4.) Senators / "family" organizations will step in and demand the [sarcasm] executions of all game developers [/sarcasm], which will bring us back full-circle to the current situation.

IMO, if an "uninformed" parent purchases an M-rated game for their kid and then complains about the "violence", then that parent should also be held responsible and fined $1,000! The GTA series has been a very widely publicized and controversial title since the release of GTA III, which caused Walmart, Target, Circuit City and TRU to restrict the sale of M-rated titles to minors. You would also think that parents would have become more cautious about purchasing any GTA related title for their child.

Just my 2 cents

 

[Chris Bardon]

Um...doesn't the xbox dashboard let you set a content lock? Never used it (so no idea if it works), but it's there.

Glad that I got SA though-awesome game so far. Takes a little getting used to the controls (since I played GTA3 and Vice on the PC), but starting to get the feel for it. Only complaint so far is that it's difficult to find my way around, since all of the streets look really similar. I'm sure it'll become second nature after a few more hours though...

As for the ratings "controversy", after playing the game for about 4 or 5 hours, I've killed a couple hundred people, seen drug use, drive by shootings, cop killings, dozens of carjackings, break and enters, and dozens of instances of profanity and racial slurs...and yet a little sex was what caused this to be AO? More than a little ridiculous.

Honestly, is there really that much of a difference between M and AO? One is 17+, and the other is 18+? Why sell one and not the other? Why is there no problem with an R rated movie (which is rated by the MPAA), but now video games need oversight?