68,823
edits
Controversy: Difference between revisions
→Thailand Teenager
m (→Devin Moore) |
|||
| (7 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown) | |||
| Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
:Main Article: [[Hot Coffee Mod]] | :Main Article: [[Hot Coffee Mod]] | ||
[[ | [[File:HotCoffeeModification-GTASA2.png|right|thumb|Image of the [[Hot Coffee Mod]].]] | ||
In mid-June 2005, a software patch for the game dubbed the "Hot Coffee Mod" was released by Patrick Wildenborg (under the Internet alias "PatrickW"), a 38-year old modder from the Netherlands. The name "Hot Coffee" refers to the way the released game alludes to the unseen sex scenes. In the unmodified game, the player takes his girlfriend to her front door and she asks him if he would like to come in for "some coffee". He agrees, and the camera stays outside, swaying back and forth a bit, while moaning sounds are heard. After installing the patch, users can enter the main character's girlfriends' houses and engage in a crudely rendered, fully clothed sexual intercourse mini-game. An "Action Replay Power Save", released by console 'hacker' Jay "FNG", allowed the Hot Coffee Mod to take place on the [[Xbox]] and [[PlayStation 2]] versions of the game. | In mid-June 2005, a software patch for the game dubbed the "Hot Coffee Mod" was released by Patrick Wildenborg (under the Internet alias "PatrickW"), a 38-year old modder from the Netherlands. The name "Hot Coffee" refers to the way the released game alludes to the unseen sex scenes. In the unmodified game, the player takes his girlfriend to her front door and she asks him if he would like to come in for "some coffee". He agrees, and the camera stays outside, swaying back and forth a bit, while moaning sounds are heard. After installing the patch, users can enter the main character's girlfriends' houses and engage in a crudely rendered, fully clothed sexual intercourse mini-game. An "Action Replay Power Save", released by console 'hacker' Jay "FNG", allowed the Hot Coffee Mod to take place on the [[Xbox]] and [[PlayStation 2]] versions of the game. | ||
On July 20, 2005, production of GTA San Andreas was suspended and the game received a revised [[ESRB]] Rating of Adults Only | On July 20, 2005, production of GTA San Andreas was suspended and the game received a revised [[ESRB]] Rating of Adults Only. Many retailers pulled the game off their shelves in compliance with their own store regulations that kept them from selling AO games. Rockstar North released a "Cold Coffee" patch<ref name="coffee">[http://www.nomorehotcoffee.com/ No More Hot Coffee], ''[[Rockstar Games]]'', 2005</ref> for the PC version and re-released GTA San Andreas with an M rating. The PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions have also been re-released in a "GTA Trilogy Pack"<ref>Tim Surette, [http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/09/23/news_6134252.html GTA gets trilogized, San Andreas special edition], ''GameSpot'', September 23, 2005</ref> for Xbox and PlayStation 2, as well as a Special Edition for PlayStation 2 that includes the documentary film ''Sunday Driver''. | ||
On 8 November 2007 Take-Two announced a proposed settlement to the class action litigation that had been brought against them following the Hot Coffee controversy. Under the proposed settlement, consumers would be able to swap their AO-rated copies of the game for M-rated versions and may also qualify for a $35 cash payment upon signing a sworn statement.<ref>{{cite web | On 8 November 2007 Take-Two announced a proposed settlement to the class action litigation that had been brought against them following the Hot Coffee controversy. Under the proposed settlement, consumers would be able to swap their AO-rated copies of the game for M-rated versions and may also qualify for a $35 cash payment upon signing a sworn statement.<ref>{{cite web | ||
| Line 30: | Line 30: | ||
Both parties reached a settlement on 20 April 2007,<ref>{{cite web|title=Case No. 07-20693-CIV-Altonaga/Turnoff| publisher=Xboxusersgroup.com|date=|url=http://www.xboxusersgroup.com/images/stories/FL-T2-JT-settlement.pdf|format=PDF|accessdate=}}</ref> and agreed to drop their respective lawsuits. Under the terms of the settlement Thompson is barred from suing to block the sale or distribution of any future games published by Take-Two or any of its subsidiaries. He will be restricted to communicating through Take-Two's attorneys on any future matters. Thompson will still be able to maintain his outspoken stance against the publisher's titles, as well as still being allowed to act as counsel in lawsuits brought against Take-Two by other parties. For their part, Take-Two agreed to drop its contempt of court lawsuit against Thompson regarding alleged improper conduct during the ''[[Bully]]'' court hearings in Florida,<ref>Game Politics Staff (23 October, [[2006]]) [http://gamepolitics.com/2006/10/23/could-jack-thompson-go-to-jail-over-bully-case/ Could Jack Thompson Be Jailed Over "Bully" Case?], ''gamepolitics.com''</ref><ref>Dodson, Jason [http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=11370 Report: Jack Thompson May Face Contempt Charge], ''gamasutra.com''</ref> which, if found to be in contempt, could have resulted in Thompson seeing jail time.<ref>Game Politics Staff [http://gamepolitics.com/2007/04/19/breaking-grand-theft-auto-publisher-settles-lawsuit-against-jack-thompson/ GTA Publisher, Jack Thompson Settle Lawsuit], ''gamepolitics.com''</ref><ref>Seff, Micah [http://psp.ign.com/articles/782/782372p1.html Jack Thompson and Take-Two Bury the Hatchet], ''ign.com''</ref><ref>Xbox Users Group [http://www.xboxusersgroup.com/content/view/3525/139/ GTA Publisher, Jack Thompson Settle Lawsuit], ''xboxusersgroup.com''</ref> | Both parties reached a settlement on 20 April 2007,<ref>{{cite web|title=Case No. 07-20693-CIV-Altonaga/Turnoff| publisher=Xboxusersgroup.com|date=|url=http://www.xboxusersgroup.com/images/stories/FL-T2-JT-settlement.pdf|format=PDF|accessdate=}}</ref> and agreed to drop their respective lawsuits. Under the terms of the settlement Thompson is barred from suing to block the sale or distribution of any future games published by Take-Two or any of its subsidiaries. He will be restricted to communicating through Take-Two's attorneys on any future matters. Thompson will still be able to maintain his outspoken stance against the publisher's titles, as well as still being allowed to act as counsel in lawsuits brought against Take-Two by other parties. For their part, Take-Two agreed to drop its contempt of court lawsuit against Thompson regarding alleged improper conduct during the ''[[Bully]]'' court hearings in Florida,<ref>Game Politics Staff (23 October, [[2006]]) [http://gamepolitics.com/2006/10/23/could-jack-thompson-go-to-jail-over-bully-case/ Could Jack Thompson Be Jailed Over "Bully" Case?], ''gamepolitics.com''</ref><ref>Dodson, Jason [http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=11370 Report: Jack Thompson May Face Contempt Charge], ''gamasutra.com''</ref> which, if found to be in contempt, could have resulted in Thompson seeing jail time.<ref>Game Politics Staff [http://gamepolitics.com/2007/04/19/breaking-grand-theft-auto-publisher-settles-lawsuit-against-jack-thompson/ GTA Publisher, Jack Thompson Settle Lawsuit], ''gamepolitics.com''</ref><ref>Seff, Micah [http://psp.ign.com/articles/782/782372p1.html Jack Thompson and Take-Two Bury the Hatchet], ''ign.com''</ref><ref>Xbox Users Group [http://www.xboxusersgroup.com/content/view/3525/139/ GTA Publisher, Jack Thompson Settle Lawsuit], ''xboxusersgroup.com''</ref> | ||
Thompson filed a document with a federal court in Florida on 18 September 2007,<ref>Thompson, Jack [http://www.gamepolitics.com/images/legal/JT-GTA4-ltr.pdf Case 1:07-cv-21256-AJ Document 12-2] (PDF), ''gamepolitics.com''</ref> that claims that the assassination target of a mission in ''GTA IV'' is a lawyer [[Tom Goldberg|character]] based upon himself. When the main protagonist enters his office and pulls a gun on him, the lawyer yells "Guns don't kill people! Video games do!" Thompson has threatened that unless the similarities to himself are removed from the game he will "take necessary and proper means to stop release of the game".<ref>{{cite web|title=Jack Thompson Says GTA 4 Mission Target is Him; Threatens to Block Release|publisher=gamepolitics.com|date=|url=http://gamepolitics.com/2007/09/18/jack-thompson-says-gta-4-mission-target-is-him-threatens-to-block-release/|accessdate=}}</ref> | Thompson filed a document with a federal court in Florida on 18 September 2007,<ref>Thompson, Jack [http://www.gamepolitics.com/images/legal/JT-GTA4-ltr.pdf Case 1:07-cv-21256-AJ Document 12-2] (PDF), ''gamepolitics.com''</ref> that claims that the assassination target of a mission in ''GTA IV'' is a lawyer [[Tom Goldberg|character]] based upon himself. When the main protagonist enters his office and pulls a gun on him, the lawyer yells "Guns don't kill people! Video games do!" Thompson has threatened that unless the similarities to himself are removed from the game he will "take necessary and proper means to stop release of the game".<ref>{{cite web|title=Jack Thompson Says GTA 4 Mission Target is Him; Threatens to Block Release|publisher=gamepolitics.com|date=|url=http://gamepolitics.com/2007/09/18/jack-thompson-says-gta-4-mission-target-is-him-threatens-to-block-release/|accessdate=}}</ref> Despite this, both the mission and the character still remain in the game. | ||
On 25 April 2008, it was reported in Metro that Jack Thompson had written a letter to the mother of Strauss Zelnick, Director of [[Take-Two Interactive]]. In the letter, which strongly criticised the game, Zelnick, and his mother, Thompson called ''Grand Theft Auto'' a "murder simulator". He went on to say that "The pornography and violence that your son trafficks in is the kind of stuff that most mothers would be ashamed to see their son putting into the hands of other mothers' children". Thompson then questions Strauss Zelnick's upbringing and says that his mother should be ashamed of herself, and that she "...spared the rod and spoiled the child. That would explain why he has brought you, by the way he presently acts, to shame." He finishes by saying "Happy Mothers' Day, Mrs Zelnick, which this year is May 11, two weeks after your son unleashes porn and violence upon other mothers' boys. I'm sure you're very proud." Neither Take-Two interactive nor Rockstar Games have made any comment regarding the matter.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jack Thompson hounds Rockstar boss'... MOTHER|publisher=computerandvideogames.com|date=|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=187662|accessdate= }}</ref> Thompson subsequently claimed he sent the letter to Zelnick's lawyer, not his mother, and that the letter was formulated as a parody intended to induce feelings of "shame" in Zelnick.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jack Thompson's Open Letter to Take-Two CEO's Mother|publisher=diehardgamefan.insidepulse.com|date=|url=http://diehardgamefan.insidepulse.com/2008/04/22/jack-thompsons-open-letter-to-take-two-ceos-mother/|accessdate=}}</ref> | On 25 April 2008, it was reported in Metro that Jack Thompson had written a letter to the mother of Strauss Zelnick, Director of [[Take-Two Interactive]]. In the letter, which strongly criticised the game, Zelnick, and his mother, Thompson called ''Grand Theft Auto'' a "murder simulator". He went on to say that "The pornography and violence that your son trafficks in is the kind of stuff that most mothers would be ashamed to see their son putting into the hands of other mothers' children". Thompson then questions Strauss Zelnick's upbringing and says that his mother should be ashamed of herself, and that she "...spared the rod and spoiled the child. That would explain why he has brought you, by the way he presently acts, to shame." He finishes by saying "Happy Mothers' Day, Mrs Zelnick, which this year is May 11, two weeks after your son unleashes porn and violence upon other mothers' boys. I'm sure you're very proud." Neither Take-Two interactive nor Rockstar Games have made any comment regarding the matter.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jack Thompson hounds Rockstar boss'... MOTHER|publisher=computerandvideogames.com|date=|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=187662|accessdate= }}</ref> Thompson subsequently claimed he sent the letter to Zelnick's lawyer, not his mother, and that the letter was formulated as a parody intended to induce feelings of "shame" in Zelnick.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jack Thompson's Open Letter to Take-Two CEO's Mother|publisher=diehardgamefan.insidepulse.com|date=|url=http://diehardgamefan.insidepulse.com/2008/04/22/jack-thompsons-open-letter-to-take-two-ceos-mother/|accessdate=}}</ref> | ||
| Line 59: | Line 59: | ||
====Little Lacy Surprise Pageant==== | ====Little Lacy Surprise Pageant==== | ||
[[Image:LCPD Website Warning.jpg|right|thumb|The [[Littlelacysurprisepageant.com|littlelacysurprisepageant.com]] website]] | [[Image:LCPD Website Warning.jpg|right|thumb|The [[Littlelacysurprisepageant.com|littlelacysurprisepageant.com]] website]] | ||
On 16 June 2008 British newspaper ''The Sun'' reported the presence of an in-game internet resource called "Little Lacy Surprise Pageant" available on the in-game internet.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/fun/gizmo/article1295469.ece |title = Video game has spoof perv site |accessdate = |author = Weinberg, Jonathan |date = |publisher = The Sun }}</ref> The fake site – www.littlelacysurprisepageant.com – displays a message from virtual authorities saying it has been closed down. It warns that anyone caught looking at it will be investigated and features the warning: “We see it all, we know it all," which is similar to the quote "''Don't think you can't get caught. You are not anonymous.''" found at Grokster.com. The player's Wanted level immediately jumps to 5 stars, resulting in both police and [[FIB]] (Federal Investigation Bureau) involvement in their arrest. The domain name address is just one of dozens of fake sites in GTA IV. Typing it into a real internet browser redirects users to the official website for the game. No missions in the game allow players to act out the role of a paedophile, and neither Rockstar Games nor Take-Two Interactive have issued a statement regarding the inclusion of this content in the title. | On 16 June 2008 British newspaper ''The Sun'' reported the presence of an in-game internet resource called "Little Lacy Surprise Pageant" available on the in-game internet.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/fun/gizmo/article1295469.ece |title = Video game has spoof perv site |accessdate = |author = Weinberg, Jonathan |date = |publisher = The Sun }}</ref> The fake site – www.littlelacysurprisepageant.com – displays a message from virtual authorities saying it has been closed down. It warns that anyone caught looking at it will be investigated and features the warning: “We see it all, we know it all," which is similar to the quote "''Don't think you can't get caught. You are not anonymous.''" found at Grokster.com. The player's Wanted level immediately jumps to 5 stars, resulting in both police and [[Federal Bureau of Investigation#Grand Theft Auto IV|FIB]] (Federal Investigation Bureau) involvement in their arrest. The domain name address is just one of dozens of fake sites in GTA IV. Typing it into a real internet browser redirects users to the official website for the game. No missions in the game allow players to act out the role of a paedophile, and neither Rockstar Games nor Take-Two Interactive have issued a statement regarding the inclusion of this content in the title. | ||
===The Lost and Damned=== | ===The Lost and Damned=== | ||
The game was condemned by parents group Common Sense Media who issued a public warning against the expansion pack due to a full-frontal nudity scene during one of the cut scenes. They claimed the game was "more controversial than its predecessors" because it featured "full frontal male nudity".<ref>"[http://blog.wired.com/games/2009/02/parents-group-w.html Parents Group Warns Against Lost And Damned Nudity]", Wired.com, February 21, 2009</ref> | The game was condemned by parents group Common Sense Media who issued a public warning against the expansion pack due to a full-frontal nudity scene during one of the cut scenes of the mission [[Politics]]. They claimed the game was "more controversial than its predecessors" because it featured "full frontal male nudity".<ref>"[http://blog.wired.com/games/2009/02/parents-group-w.html Parents Group Warns Against Lost And Damned Nudity]", Wired.com, February 21, 2009</ref> | ||
==Links to Crime== | ==Links to Crime== | ||
| Line 83: | Line 83: | ||
===Ryan Chinnery=== | ===Ryan Chinnery=== | ||
[[ | [[File:RyanChinnery.jpg|right|thumb|Ryan Chinnery]] | ||
Ryan Chinnery, aged nineteen upon his arrest in [[2008]], was a criminal based in the [[United Kingdom]] convicted on November 7, 2008 on charges of attempted rape and grievous bodily harm. He was sentenced to eight years, with a minimum of four years recommended.<ref name="Chinnery">{{cite web | url = http://www.kent.police.uk/Your%20Area/South%20Kent/South_Kent_news/Ryan_Chinnery_senten.html | title = Teenage jailed for sex attacks: Ryan Chinnery sentenced to eight years | work = Kent Police | accessdate = | accessyear = }}</ref> He had began his crimes in [[2007]], when aged seventeen.<ref name="Chinnery2">{{cite web | url = http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1668577.ece | title = Sex beast copied Grand Theft Auto | work = Sullivan, Mike and The Sun (September 10, 2008) | accessdate = | accessyear = }}</ref> The [[Grand Theft Auto]] series of games was said to have influenced his actions, with Judge Philip Statman stating that the video games "cannot have helped him in all the circumstances of this case".<ref>''The Times. November 7, 2008, p.34''</ref> | Ryan Chinnery, aged nineteen upon his arrest in [[2008]], was a criminal based in the [[United Kingdom]] convicted on November 7, 2008 on charges of attempted rape and grievous bodily harm. He was sentenced to eight years, with a minimum of four years recommended.<ref name="Chinnery">{{cite web | url = http://www.kent.police.uk/Your%20Area/South%20Kent/South_Kent_news/Ryan_Chinnery_senten.html | title = Teenage jailed for sex attacks: Ryan Chinnery sentenced to eight years | work = Kent Police | accessdate = | accessyear = }}</ref> He had began his crimes in [[2007]], when aged seventeen.<ref name="Chinnery2">{{cite web | url = http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1668577.ece | title = Sex beast copied Grand Theft Auto | work = Sullivan, Mike and The Sun (September 10, 2008) | accessdate = | accessyear = }}</ref> The [[Grand Theft Auto]] series of games was said to have influenced his actions, with Judge Philip Statman stating that the video games "cannot have helped him in all the circumstances of this case".<ref>''The Times. November 7, 2008, p.34''</ref> | ||
| Line 91: | Line 91: | ||
===Thailand Teenager=== | ===Thailand Teenager=== | ||
In 2008 an eighteen year old was arrested in [[ | In 2008 an eighteen year old was arrested in [[Thailand]] for stabbing a taxi driver to death, He confessed to stealing the taxi and killing the driver after he fought back. The teenager said he was trying to copy a scene in Grand Theft Auto IV. The incident led to the game being banned and the teenager currently faces the death penalty if convicted.<ref name="Thailand">{{cite web | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/technology/newsid_7540000/7540623.stm | title = Thailand bans Grand Theft Auto IV | work = Reed, Jim and BBC | accessdate = | accessyear = }}</ref> As a result of this incident, the game was subsequently banned in Thailand.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/technology/newsid_7540000/7540623.stm |title=Thailand bans Grand Theft Auto IV |accessdate=|author=Reed, Jim |date=|publisher=BBC Newsbeat }}</ref> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
[[Category: | |||
[[Category:Controversy]] | |||