This mod was not. The hack was created by someone else and is not a sanctioned or featured part of the game. Calling for the game's rating to be changed is akin to labeling Harry Potter porn because there are people out there who write fanfic (which is freely accessible) that features Ron and Harry getting down and dirty on the Quidditch field — and I don't mean with their broomsticks.
It's not Rockstar's fault, and they shouldn't be punished for this unless it can be fully proven that the content was there all along and the mod only allowed it to be unlocked. Otherwise, they are victims.
Why is American justice and culture about being innocent until proven guilty... except when it comes to video games? Video games don't cause violence. They don't cause sex (most gamers I know would be happier if they did!). They're just a way to wile away the hours, like television, books, or movies. But it seems to me that video games end up being more of a convenient scapegoat than any other form of mass media, and as an avid gamer, this is something I find continually disappointing from the government.
Maybe we should start sending the senators copies of Halo 2 so they can vent their spleen with virtual weapons.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Temple Stark
The headline said it very well.
It's mind-numbingly stupid - so in steps Hillary(but she only happens to be the first).
Though she does address both the violent and the sexual content, it took the latter to get her to speak out.
2 - Natalie Davis
Indeed, if the hack was some independent person's doing, Rockstar should be left alone. And personally, I don't want my kids seeing sex or violence, but violence is worse. That's why we don't allow any videogames in our home. Good luck, though, to Rockstar. Let's hope the evidence is on its side.
3 - Al Barger
Appearances suggest strongly that in fact the XXX content was there all along. Still, it clearly takes a hack to access it.
But so what? That's sidestepping the issue. Even if Rockstar put it there, why would it be that bad? The whole game seems to be about, as the beloved Monkey Girl puts it, stacking up bodies like cordwood. If that's acceptable entertainment, what's a few minutes with a virtual hooker?
Next edition, Rockstar should just add the sex scenes in directly.
4 - Matt Paprocki
Not allowing any games into your home is pretty weak Natalie. Not all games are GTA, regardless of what the media tells you. There are fantastic titles out there for children.
And great job monkey. I covered the hack last week and I'm glad someone stepped up to cover Clinton's stupidity.
5 - LegendaryMonkey
And the body-stacking, that's good times. Let me tell you. Virtual poontang? Booooring. The sweet, sweet sound of a virtual shotgun? Oh yeah.
6 - Al Barger
Yeah, I could never see the point of virtual porn. Does animated sex get people hard?
I'll defend Natalie here, Matt. Even if some games are not specifically promoting bad values of sex or violence in the content, they tend to consume a lot of time and attention and be a less than optimal way for chillen to spend their time. Much better if she takes them out to play ball or hike in the woods, or almost anything but sitting like a lump in front of the tv screen on a beautiful summer day.
7 - Matt Paprocki
Of course, I don't know Natalie or her reasons, but I bet her kids watch movies and TV. I applaud any parent who takes their kids out, but games have such a bad rep, and it's unneccesary. At the very least, they're doing something in the front of a TV when they're playing games, not just sitting there. If I had kids, I would rather have them playing games then watching a flick, but of course being out is for the better.
8 - Aaman
Everything bad is really good for you
9 - Omni Temporal
When I was a kid, hot summer days (like 100 degrees hot) were often spent playing marathon Monopoly or Risk with neighborhood kids. Nowadays, kids gravitate to computer games. If I could have had access to Starcraft when I was 10 years old, damn right I would have wanted to play. It's not much different from playing army -- remember the little green army figures?
The difference is whether of not there is another human involved. The human intaraction is valuable. Video games often let a kid tune out for extended periods of time. However, it's not clear that this is a bad thing. It's controversial at the moment. Some "experts" say that some games -- Warcraft, Civilization, and other real-time or turn-based strategy games -- are actually healthy pastimes. Sure, kids should have time at the beach or the park. Balance is important.
I do worry about the first-person shooter games a little. Those are just as mindless -- in a different way, though -- as watching TV, and maybe worse. It's debatable. There is a line that I won't let my son cross. I don't mind much that he's massing armies of spaceships to wipe out an alien infestation -- strategy and long-term planning are required. I will not let him play any game where he's picking off humans with a scope rifle and leveling up because of it. There's a line there somewhere. It's pretty easy to tell about these games by reading reviews prior to purchase.
10 - LegendaryMonkey
Thanks for the compliments on the post, folks… always makes a little primate like me feel good.
I’m with Matt here. I’d rather have my (imaginary, future children) playing video games than sitting around watching television, if it were a choice between the two. Video games can be great educational tools " they can help teach logic and reasoning, and hey, it’s always nice to have a great reaction time. Whereas most television and movies (and I’ll say this even as a huge movie buff) don’t really teach or educate much at all, with the exception of specifically educational programming and/or documentaries
Now, the way Natalie said it, I would assume she disallows games due to violence. And there’s a real difference between violent games (GTA, Resident Evil, Halo, etc.) and games like, say, Animal Crossing, Civilization (versions 1-394823), Myst and all its spinoffs, and then games suited particularly for children. However, video games are so frequently demonized by the government and the media that it’s hard for me to blame anyone for feeling that no video games have any redeeming content.
But, I do absolutely feel that it’s a choice that should be left up to the parents, and that the parents should take a more active role in making that choice. During the three years I worked at Blockbuster, I noticed that so many parents didn’t seem to care at all what their children rented, movie or game-wise. And if said children were authorized to rent anything, we ended up having to hand 11 year olds XXX BMX and softporn, largely because the parents either didn’t care or just couldn’t be bothered to pay attention to what their children were bringing home.
11 - Natalie Davis
Mr. Paprocki, no, my kids don't watch a lot of movies or TV (not at home or at grandma's house, anyway). They read, play sports and outdoors games, take music classes, go to museums and symphony and participate in church/school activities and stuff. And we spend lots of time on schoolwork and enrichment activities. My daughter (16) also has a job. There is too much other, actually worthwhile stuff to do for them to become passive, mindless couch potatoes. And there are board games -- one can play games of strategy that aren't accessible through an electronic device, and those games are often less expensive.
Now, both kids have tried Playstation (at their cousins' houses) and they like it. They aren't thrilled that they can't have their own. But you can't always get what you want and Spousal Unit and I call the shots. By the time they are on their own and paying their own bills, they can buy all the X boxes they want, but I will know that they have lots of other interests that hopefully will be more enticing to them.
(Of course, I am a total spoilsport -- outside of Halloween, Easter, and Christmas, no candy is allowed in my house either. And soda is regulated heavily. When my daughter was little, I made her an Easter basket filled with dried fruits and nuts and such, and my brother surreptitiously added a chocolate bunny to it. Wanker. Whatever, I have loosened up since then. A little.)
My antipathy for video games has to do with my being a pacifist -- violence is not permitted in my home. No water guns or slingshots or light sabres or army men or GI Joes either. Lord knows they probably see enough violence at school. No doubt there are games with redeeming values, and as a family, we have played computer games that are higher toned and often educational in value. (Mah Jongg is a favorite.) But getting an X box or Playstation would open a Pandora's box I would rather avoid. We don't need it. (How weird that I have to defend that...)
12 - LegendaryMonkey
Hmm, I’m not sure you have to defend it at all. It’s absolutely within your right to raise your children as you’d like. And I think you have good reasons. I rather think it’s more of a matter of people being curious as to why rather than telling you that it’s bad.
Well, except for the “weak” thing, but y’know, oh well. Your house, your kids, your life, your rules. At least you have a sensible reasoning behind it!
13 - Matt Paprocki
I completely agree with you momkey, but there is something I don't like:
"they can buy all the X boxes they want, but I will know that they have lots of other interests that hopefully will be more enticing to them."
Why hopefully? Why are you deciding what they should enjoy? If they enjoy something, let them. You only get one life. Let them make the choice to play a video game because they enjoy it. That's not wrong. It's not harming them. If they've experienced other things, that's fantastic, but when they're sheltered in a way where they don't have a chance to experience these things, that's when things can get ugly.
People look at video games and they see "bad." They never understand the positives, nor do they want to, because we all know, TV is "bad" in any form. It's a fear some people have. If you're kids are sitting there 10 hours a day, then yes, there's an issue. An occasinal video game, just like the occasional movie, is harmless. It's something the medium needs to erase before it can be accepted. You're the parent. Set the limits. My parents did just that, and if my grades slipped, the power adapter to the consoles was taken away until they went back up. It's that simple.
14 - LegendaryMonkey
Observe my fencepost ridin ways.
I partially agree with Matt there. I think kids should be allowed to decide some things for themselves.
But then again, part of being a parent, I guess, is helping to shape your children.
I dunno. I'll know more when I have a couple. :)
15 - Duane
Obviously, Natalie is hoping that her kids will grow up to be more serious-minded. That's certainly her right. Instead of looking for the magical amulet in some fantasy world, she wants her kids to be working on their first novel, or writing a letter to Congress, or giving the prize talk at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society. What's wrong with that? And no doubt, her strict pacifist philosophy is anathema to most video games. She would hope that her kids grow up to share that point of view.
16 - Matt Paprocki
So a kid reading a fantasy book doesn't serve the same purpose? At the least child needs to WORK and use their mind to find the amulet, not just read about the adventurer traverses the cavern to get it. And to say a child can't grow up to serious minded if they play video games is absurd and ignorant. I grew up on them, daily as a matter of fact. I'm heading into a carrer, mulitple politicans have my letters (which have fallen on deaf ears), and yet, I still play video games.
It's no different than having them play a board game, which they do. That's where I have a huge problem. She doesn't even stop to think about the board game, but a video game? GASP! Again, it has to do with acceptibility.
17 - bhw
Matt, I'm not sure why you're so offended. They're HER kids.
We're also a video-game free home right now. Our kids watch TV, probably too much sometimes. But I have the parental controls set, so I generally know that what they're watching fits their age group [4-6].
We're going to remain a video-game free home for the forseeable future. We do have some educational computer games. In fact, one of them helped my daughter learn to play chess.
If I had to choose, I'd much rather my kids read Harry Potter and try to figure out the mysteries in each book [reading isn't really passive -- it's an act of thinking, prediction, etc. each time out] than play video games. I just would. It's a personal preference.
I guess it comes partially from seeing my husband go through his "Doom stage" a few years ago. I thought it was a complete waste of time when he'd play for a couple of hours in a row. He eventually came to see it that way, too.
Again, it's a matter of personal preference. I don't want anyone else's kids to stop playing the games. I just don't really want mine to start.
18 - Duane
Matt, don't get me wrong. I'm actually on your side, here. I have played a lot of computer games. I use that time to flush my mind of my job-related concerns. It helps to do this, because I find that a fresh perspective and a relaxed mind help me make progress. I equate my playing to downtime on the bed with popcorn and a couple of movies. I value that.
Beyond that, some games are more than just downtime. They can be every bit as edifying as a good novel. Some are so close to historical realism that they verge on being educational.
I was just trying to define Natalie's position as I interpret it.
19 - Natalie Davis
Well said, bhw.
I suspect Mr. Paprocki is offended because he has an unnatural obsession with video games and can't stand that someone disagrees with him.
Since when did video games become necessary?
For the record, Mr. Paprocki, much thought goes into the board games that we have in the house. As previously stated, board games tend to be less expensive than computer ones -- that is a huge consideration in our house. We feel money is better spent on other things. And as I said, my kids certainly have been exposed to video games. They make many decisions for themselves (definitely true for my teenager). But, they are KIDS, and as you said, as parents, SU and I set the limits and we make the rules. One is that we do not want video-game machines in our home. Case closed. You don't accept my reasoning? Then deal with this: We are the parents and what we say goes. (Shut up, Dad.)
Perhaps you might re-read my previous comment, Mr. Paprocki; it's obvious your outrage clouded your view and caused you to miss some things.
And don't worry about my poor, deprived kids: They do just fine, learn a lot, and have fun. They are surrounded by love, are exceedingly well-adjusted, and do very well in social settings. And they don't live in a vacuum by any means.
Oh, and I am not grooming my kids to be serious-minded. I am helping them (or trying to help them) to become the best people they can be, to live fulfilling lives by their own standards, to contribute to the planet, and to be happy as they define it. Again, why are video games a necessary part of that picture?
20 - Matt Paprocki
There are three things here BHW:
1. Video games as "evil." She perfectly accepts board games and movies, the latter in moderation. She could do the same with games.
2. As you said, it's a personal preference, yet you don't know why. I've never understood how reading is educational. Sure, and encyclopedia is, but how many kids sit down daily to read those? They read Harry Potter. I've never understood, and never will, the educational value there. It's simply acknowledged and accepted. As a society, we don't care what kids read, as long as they read. Why not give them a Pokemon game? Tons of reading material there.
3. Not letting kids be kids. Should every kid play video games? Of course not. Some people and children will simply never understand the appeal. However, they have said they enjoy it. You only get to be a child once. Keeping them away from candy is one thing, for health reasons. Keeping them away from what has become a standard part of being a kid is just wrong. That's simply how I feel.
Again, it has to do with acceptability and the way games are percieved. That's where the problem is. If games came before books, we'd be fighting the same battle with the mediums switched. They're new, and certain parents don't understand them. They're literally scared of them, mostly because of the media blasting one single game night in and night out.
21 - Matt Paprocki
You replied before I hit submit, Natalie. =;)
Here we go: Unatural obsession. This is my career path, breaking into the journalism portion. I'm writing something everyday on this industry. Yet, I still have a life outside of them. It's a bad stereotype, one that has yet to be broken. You have visions in your head of your kids sitting there all day looking at a screen.
If I sat down and had an "unatural obession" with books, would that be looked down upon? Of course not. Again, acceptability.
They're not expensive either. You can buy a PS One and some games for less than standard board game costs. It's a fine introduction. If your kids enjoy going outside and participating, fantastic. You're doing a wonderful job.
What if they went out and earned the money for a game system? What do you do then?
22 - Natalie Davis
Mr. Paprocki, I would re-state the rule: I won't have 'em in my house. Then grab a basketball and take them out to shoot hoops.
Video games are not necessary. And a lot of the things that have become "standard part[s] of being a kid" should not be, IMO; many popular youth pursuits and fads are just hideous. In fact, much of what the mainstream embraces in general is anathema to me. So why follow the crowd? Are you insinuating that my kids should do whatever all the other kids are doing? Sorry, but my kids, my rules. Other parents get to decide for theirs. Do not presume to tell me what items I need to raise my children.
As for expensive, that's relative. You don't know what my family can or can not afford. You certainly don't have a grasp of our priorities, economic or otherwise. We will spend our income in the best way we see fit.
And don't put words in my mouth, Mr. Paprocki: I never called video games "evil."
23 - Matt Paprocki
No, but you did come back with "unaturally obsessed" at me. The thing is, you see them as a waste of time. However, there's very good money to be made and multiple career paths. Anyone can make a fine five-figure salary by designing games, and there's a far better chance of doing that then landing in the NBA. They'll never know that, yet they show they may have a passion for it. I completely understand you don't want them sitting in front of the TV contantly, and you're doing a fine job as a parent in that regard. However, a game system in the home isn't going to cause that either. Again, you're in control.
Books aren't neccesary. Basketballs aren't neccesary. Board games aren't neccesary. None of that is neccesary, yet you have bought them for your children. You, as a parent, see a lot of these things as fads. Should you embrace everything kids do? No, of course not. I repeat again, your children have shown an interest in a video game. If they show an interest in drugs, then you worry. Times change, and new things are introduced to entertain children. Video games have already shown to so much more than a fad.
And of course I don't know your situation finacically. I never claimed to. What I read is that you've bought them board games, and you can get them a nice classic console for the same price.
24 - Mark Sahm
My father didn't allow any gaming systems in our house growing up, so I missed the whole revolution from Atari through Nintendo 64. It wasn't until I had an Apple IIC that I got to play some games, but at 30K memory, most games weren't too extensive for Apple then.
Fast forward to college and I'm finally able to play Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter against my suitemates, and you know what? I got beat every time. For a competitive person, it was annoying as hell. Sure, I've painted murals, written a novel, had athletic success... but my hand-eye coordination at games is something awful. And there's a self-esteem issue to always lose in a social setting like that. Luckily, I was already modest then, but it can affect other kids a lot worse.
What parents enforce is up to them, but there is something to be said for those systems giving you some damn good hand-eye coordination. I know I was jealous.
25 - Duane
..you can get them a nice classic console for the same price.
I volunteer to send Natalie my extra copy of Silent Hill 4. That will change her mind.