Sex scenes force re-rating of best-selling game
CNN:
The video game industry on Wednesday changed to adults-only the rating of 'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas,' a best-selling title in which explicit sexual content can be unlocked with an Internet download. The decision followed intense pressure from politicians and media watch groups. Grand Theft Auto's producer, Rockstar Games, said it was now working on a new version of the game that would satisfy the original 'M' for mature rating. It said it would provide new labels to any retailer willing to continue selling the version currently on store shelves.Anyone want to make any bets on the current version selling like hotcakes in light of this news?
posted by Dave Justus | 7/21/2005 09:03:00 AM
6 Comments:
Interestingly, I read in at least one article that the fear was changing the rating to "adults only" would hurt sales rather than help it. I guess the thinking is that either stores wouldn't sell a video game marked that way to a kid.
Of course, I believe some stores, such as Wal-Mart, already monitor those things. For example, I've purchased DVDs with a rating of PG-13 and I watch as the register inquires "is customer 17 or older." I would imagine the same applies to video games marked "mature" as well.
I think you are correct with an initial 'new' release of a game. Overall, you get better sales from an 'M' rated game than an 'AO' rated game.
However, I bet a situation like this, where an existing game gets lots of press, and then is altered to remove content, the initial version will become very desirable to own.
I'll start off the betting: 65:1 the game sells more with the new rating.
By the way, interesting subject...I better start writing about stuff like this too instead of concentrating on Israeli politics 100% of the time!
I checked into this and saw the "movie" made from the scenes. Nothing to write home about, but I'm certain kids will get their jollies watching these things.
Of course, I do agree that this will do nothing but make the game more wanted by people who might not generally purchase these types of games by attracting a different audiance.
Someone will correct me if I am wrong, and that is likely because this kind of "game" has no interest for me at all...
When (I believe it was) GTA was first released here there was some controversy because parts of it require the removal of other characters - by whatever means is at hand - complete with the depiction of blood erupting from headless bodies (shown as a clip on tv news here) and other scenes of literal murder and mayhem.
If this is the same "game", it takes some "mild sexual scenes" to get it banned?
probligo...you aren't talking about Mortal Combat-are you? Anyhow, these "games" are in no way generated to gain your approval. On the contrary, the producers of such rubbish scorn the idea of intellects such as yourself as much as doodling in these "games". They're meant for kids...probably not very intelligent ones as far as that goes. It comes down to money. And that's what seems so disturbing about this.
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