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Take-Two sending out Hot Coffee settlement checks
If you went through all the trouble of traumatizing yourself by unlocking the Hot Coffee stuff in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas ... cha-ching! Take-Two, owner of publisher Rockstar, has started paying out the settlement for the class action suit filed in response to the discovery of hidden sexual content on the disc. Depending on what kind of documentation you submitted, you're due an amount between $5 and $35 -- or, for those of you who sent your first-edition discs in, a new copy of the game. Which, we'd imagine, is worth quite a bit less than $35 these days. The settlement website notes that "All those who filed claims for benefits prior to the May 16, 2008, deadline will receive those benefits prior to April 15, 2010." Which means you can start planning where that $5 is going to go right now. Perhaps a nice cup of coffee? [Via Kotaku]
EGM interviews Hot Coffee modder after cooling
Turns out the April issue of EGM isn't a total joke, there's actually a nice follow-up with Patrick Wildenborg, the man who discovered and unlocked Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas' Hot Coffee. GamePolitics relays the info and provides links to scans of the article. Wildenborg, a 38-year-old software engineer from the land of the Dutch, confesses that despite the upheaval his little mod caused in the industry and his life he hasn't seen any long-term benefits from the situation.Wildenborg is still proud of discovering the Hot Coffee code due to the research it took, but believes if it wasn't him, it would have been found by somebody else who knew what they were doing. He also doesn't blame Rockstar for its initial reaction of blaming modders for creating the code the company had actually left in the game, but thinks the company should have handled the situation differently from the start. Wildenborg is getting ready to explore the code of GTA IV when it releases, but doubts he'll find something like Hot Coffee again.
Take-Two details 'Hot Coffee' settlement; no receipt necessary
Were you one of the "offended and upset" victims of Rockstar's infamous "Hot Coffee" scandal? Can you prove to some lawyers that you were traumatized by the insidious insertion of polygonal sexual activity into your violent killing sprees? If so, you'll be interested in Take-Two's recently erected website detailing the benefits of its Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas class action settlement.The settlement offers different levels of possible compensation depending on the proof violated consumers have to offer: An original, pre-scandal copy of the game "may" net you a neutered replacement disc; a detailed store receipt "may" result in a $35 cash payment; a credit card statement or check is worth $17.50; and a disc without receipt gets you $10. If you have no receipt and no game, you stand to earn a whopping $5 for promising under penalty of perjury, cross your heart and hope to die, that you at one point purchased and played the offending game. If you're not planning on using the bill to dry your post-traumatic tears, perhaps you could put it towards Grand Theft Auto IV on April 29th.
Take-Two settles Hot Coffee lawsuits; $35 for the "offended and upset"
Freshly brewed news, straight out of Take-Two's corporate maw: the mega-publisher, parent company of Rockstar Games, has announced the settlement of all consumer class action lawsuits pending in the United States" related to the infamous GTA: San Andreas "Hot Coffee" mod. Take-Two has committed at least $1.025 million on the settlement, and their costs are capped at no more than $2.75 million. In short, if you swear that you bought a copy of GTA: SA before July 20, '05, further swear that you were "offended and upset" by the existence of the Hot Coffee mod, further further swear that you wouldn't have bought the game if you did know about it, and further further further swear that you would have returned that vile piece of entertainment software if you "thought this possible," you may be entitled to exchange your icky disc for a brand new, shiny disc devoid of any such hot beverage action.Not interested in a new disc? You want to know, "how ta get paid"? Well, if you submit detailed proofs of purchase, you may be entitled to a $35 cash payment which you can put towards that $90 GTA IV collector's edition (whenever that comes out).
Today's hottest video: the Lair 'Hot Coffee' code
Don't worry, it's not what you think. No dragons fornicating, or oddly polygonal women. Just a straight up, Safe-For-Work look at some hot, hot coffee. To get in on the 'Hot Coffee' action yourself, enter the following, case-sensitive code into the cheats menu of Lair: 686F7420636F66666565. If you're lazy, or unwilling to purchase Lair after the glowing reviews, then the video is embedded above for your viewing pleasure. But be careful! It's hot!
Lair's secret "Hot Coffee" code is exactly what it sounds like
Did you know that Lair has a secret "Hot Coffee" code? Inspired by the controversy sparked by Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Factor 5 has included a video in the game that lampoons the ESRB's overly harsh decision. You can experience it for yourself by inputting code 686F7420636F66666565 (case sensitive) into the game. Or, you can take the lazy way out, and watch after the cut.
The chilling effect of the AO rating
Game|Life's Chris Kohler has written a feature for Wired about the effects of the Adults Only rating on not only Manhunt 2, but the development and marketing of all mature-oriented games. He contends (accurately) that because the AO rating reduces to near zero the ability of a company to sell games, and because more attention has been paid to adult content in games since "Hot Coffee," publishers are trimming back the adult content of their games out of fear of the AO. This, of course, means that the rating that was nominally put in place to remove any need for censorship is instead creating that need.The most shocking example is the Leisure Suit Larry Collection for the PC, which is incomplete because of concerns that Leisure Suit Larry 7: Love for Sail!, which contains a single scene of brief nudity, would push the collection into AO territory, despite the fact that the game had already been given an M rating in 1996. Well, that's not the only omission. The collection also doesn't include the original EGA version of the first Larry game, nor does it appear to include The Laffer Utilities or Leisure Suit Larry's Casino, but we chalk that up less to censorship and more to Vivendi just being lazy.
GamePolitics 10 biggest gaming scandals of all time
Where were you when Night Trap hit the senate floors? Our favorite watchdogs over at GamePolitics have compiled a list of what they believe to be the 10 biggest gaming scandals of all time. What's at the top of the list? Well, you decide that part via a nifty poll on their front page.Their list covers all your favorites from the Hot Coffee debacle to a more recent headline darling, Sony versus Parliament. They even managed to track down some stories that you may have have forgotten about such as 25 to Life's cop (and robber) killing and SimCopter's spit swapping dudes.Many folks have already pointed out the glaring omission of Mortal Kombat from their list. While we would have appreciated a choice that better reflected the creation of the ESRB, it's fair to say that Night Trap did most of the talking in that situation.
Video Game Decency Act: saving the children, or one-way ticket to tyranny?
As Congressman Fred Upton's Video Game Decency Act continues to percolate through Congress, Upton (R-MI) is singing its praises to the press, telling his local paper, the Niles Daily Star, "This legislation will restore parents' trust in a system in which game makers had intentionally deceived the ratings board to deliver violent and pornographic material to our kids."This whole foofaraw kicked off when Rockstar Games tucked away some sex-related gameplay into Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, and, while the content was only accessible by using hacking tools, it was there for the minigaming. When word got out, lawsuits flowed like coffee, and Rockstar rushed out a "clean" version in order to avoid the dreaded "Adults Only" rating. The Video Game Decency Act would make it a crime to hide such content from the ESRB, the independent ratings board created by the industry in 1994 to avoid federal regulation.Seems pretty reasonable, right? Well, it is. Whether you believe all sexual content deserves an "AO" rating or not, developers who want a rating from the ESRB should fully disclose anything that might affect that rating. But if the bill passes, the government will finally have its paws in the game rating pie, in a very official (and probably irreversible) way -- exactly what the ESRB was founded to prevent. Fine by you? Or is this the next step on a slippery slope of governmental control that will end with a dystopian, 1984-style wasteland?[Via GamePolitics]
Brits ban 'old' Xbox 360 commercial
The same Xbox 360 commercial we posted last November improbably showing the release date for Halo 3 has been banned in England. The Advertising Standards Agency says the advertisement "could be seen to condone dangerous driving," despite the prominent text stating "Dramatisation. Professional stunt. Do not attempt." Apparently ad agency McCann Erickson worked closely with the ASA and were given clearance to run the ad after 9 PM. The ASA decided to ban the ad anyway stating it "reinforced the sense that the events were real, rather than fantasy, and were therefore capable of being copied." Sorry England, looks like you're just going to have to watch the ad over, and over, and over again here on Joystiq ... what a shame.The Reuters story doesn't say how long the advertisement was in circulation, but like we said, it's been on our radar since last November. If it's been in rotation in England since that time, bless the ASA, they just gave that little commercial a second life through controversy. This isn't the first time we've seen this sort of odd behavior. Boston's transit authority banned ads for M rated games after a minor Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories controversy. The thing was that nobody raised a fuss a year prior when Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories ads were all over the same system.
The Political Game: ESRB's extreme makeover
Each week Dennis McCauley contributes The Political Game, a column on the collision of politics and video games:Have you taken notice of the kinder, gentler ESRB?In recent months the video game industry's ratings board seems to have been quietly, yet determinedly, remaking itself into a more open, inclusive organization. Not that they would ever admit it, but as Bob Dylan sang, "You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows."Of course, from the dreadful Hot Coffee summer of 2005, there was really no place for the ESRB to go but up. Back then the ratings board was at an all-time low. The ESRB was besieged by all manner of political, cultural and media critics, including Senator Hillary Clinton, various members of Congress and a determined California Assemblyman named Leland Yee who exploited the ill will caused by the Hot Coffee incident to push through video game sales legislation in the very heartland of the U.S. video game industry.
Rock the vote with legislative measures in 2007
Like a certain caffeinated beverage prepared from delicious roasted beans, video game legislation was hot in 2006. Whether it was hidden whoopie in your Grand Theft Auto or ambulance chasers run amok, last year saw more games hitting the halls of congress than ever before.To make sure you're prepared for this years gauntlet of gaming based initiatives, 2old2play has compiled a short list of measures currently being considered in a few scattered states. Measures range from wanting stricter ratings, all the way to fining a sales clerk up to $100 bucks should they not lecture you about the content of your violent video game. Yikes.You can help out now by contributing to the list with the measures currently being proposed in your state. Regardless, be a real hardcore gamer and educate yourself on something that matters. The enemy patterns in Ikaruga will be will be there when you're done.
Another suit over GTA -- with good punchline
Under normal circumstances Grand Theft Auto lawsuits would make us yawn, but this one this one causes a yawn/chuckle, just wait for the punchline. The Philidelphia Inquirer reports that a man has filed a federal lawsuit against publisher Take-Two Interactive for Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas' simulated sex mod. John Robinson seeks damages because consumers weren't offered refunds for the game after the abhorrent scene was discovered. When Robinson learned of the "Hot Coffee" mod for the game, he confiscated the copy of GTA he purchased for his son ... now imagine what this child looks like in your mind's eye. Ready for the kicker? His son was 20 or 21 years-old at the time.
Capcom bringing GTA San Andreas to Japan
With controversy having cooled, Capcom has reached a deal with Rockstar to localize, publish, and distribute the PlayStation 2 version of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas in Japan. The release is scheduled for January, a full 27 months after the game's initial debut in North America. What's with the delay? Guess car jacking and gang banging doesn't move units at quite the same pace in Japan.
Heads up: Saints Row luke-warm coffee
This proudly immature Saints Row footage should be enough to get Monica Lewinsky excited, if not Hillary Clinton. Warning: Not safe for work, clueless government regulators, or uptight post nannies.[Blame Drew]
More heat coming down on Take-Two
Just when you thought this whole "Hot Coffee" mess was behind us, Take Two has been hit with more litigation. According to the Associated Press, Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. received two subpoenas from the Manhattan district attorney today over the Hot Coffee incident in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. The story goes on to say:"The documents subpoenaed date back to October 2001, and are connected to whether company officers and directors had direct knowledge of the secret scenes, commonly referred to as "Hot Coffee." The district attorney was also seeking compensation documents linked to current and former officers and directors as well as information about acquisitions in 2005, partnering arrangements and earnings results."Even once they are done in New York, Take Two is still facing possible action in North Carolina and Connecticut over the same steamy issue. Will it ever end folks?
ESRB: Lie to us, pay up to $1 million in fines
ESRB President Patricia Vance on Wednesday testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection about informing parents about (and protecting children from) violent and explicit video games. In her testimony, Vance showed off the ESRB's war chest of available actions for penalizing publishers. The armaments include: Fines of up to $1 million for the "most egregious offenses" Suspension of publisher's access to the ratings system. Similar to the government ratings system in Australia, titles without rating usually do not get shelf space on retail stores. In addition, publishers can be forced to Pull advertising until the ratings information is corrected Correct the ratings with stickers placed on the package Recall the game To what extent the ESRB will use these tactics is uncertain. Vance's testimony (download the PDF here) was meant to soothe the government's concerns that kids being traumatized by a values-destroying games industry. When another publisher tries to swindle the ratings board, how harsh is the ESRB willing to punish the violator?See Also:Tepid Coffee: Take-Two gets foreboding slap on wrist by FTC
Penny Arcade creating ESRB ad campaign
With an angry mob of politicians and parents (and pareticians) waving their pitchforks and torches at the ESRB's front door these days, launching a new ad campaign might be a wise move -- at least a good deal wiser than dumping gallons of hot oil on your detractors. The powers that be at the ratings board have tapped none other than the Penny Arcade crew to create a new marketing initiative aimed specifically at gamers, one that hopes to illustrate the importance of those letters you may have glimpsed on American game covers.Thanks to the involvement of people who have actually played games before, it's a safe conclusion that we'll be spared from the usual in-your-face X-treme to the max gamer representatives that only exist in the minds of ill-informed marketing types. Instead, Gabe and Tycho have spent the last few months creating a series of characters, each one being paired with one of the ESRB ratings. As you might have expected, Tycho has already written short narratives for all the characters that explain just how the ESRB impacts upon their lives. These will no doubt be filled with words too gigantinormonomical to comprehend.Though some teaser images were already shown at E3, Penny Arcade says that the full campaign will be invading magazines and websites very soon. We're hoping that 'ole DivX machine will be teaching us the ins and outs of the M-rating.
Hidden boobies incite Oblivion rating change [update 1]
The ESRB has changed the rating of the PC version of Oblivion from T (Teen) to M (Mature). The ratings board enacted the change because the game contains stronger depictions of violence than what were featured in the content that was submitted to determine the original rating. But more importantly, the new M-rating is a result of hidden (archived) topless skin files that can be accessed via a fan-created mod.At this time, it's unclear if a recall will be issued, but the new rating, along with the addition of a "nudity" warning, will be applied to copies of Oblivion that are still on store shelves. It's also possible that Take-Two will force Bethesda to remove the archived files and re-release the game, in turn, regaining the T-rating.Update: the Xbox 360 version has also been re-rated to M due to "Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence" [via ESRB]. [Thanks, Scott]
Eidos cools coffee, de-nipples Tomb Raider
The left half of the above pic is a nipple-licious stripper skin from the European PC version of Tomb Raider: Legend that Xboxic (post not entirely safe from work) speculates might be responsible for possibly delaying the April 11 U.S. release of the game. The right half is the same skin after applying an areola-erasing patch. Eidos denies that the U.S game has been delayed, but our fellow bloggers have provided pretty solid proof that Legend was indeed smuggling raisins overseas. Is Eidos performing a last minute emergency nipplectomy on the U.S. PC and 360 versions to spare American kids the horror of seeing something they used to suck on everyday—narrowly avoiding the next Hot Coffee scandal? Will Senator Cankles and her Fundie bedfellows be able to sleep at night knowing they missed an opportunity to further demagogue games as pixelated pornography? Only Lara knows for sure, and she's keeping her shirt on.(I swear this is the last breast-related post for a while.)
