Posted on 07/27/2005 11:16:08 AM PDT by TheOtherOne
Grandmother Sues Game Maker Over Hidden Sex in 'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas'
Published: Jul 27, 2005 NEW YORK (AP) - A woman upset that she bought the video game "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" for her 14-year-old grandson without knowing it contained hidden, sexually explicit scenes sued the manufacturer Wednesday on behalf of consumers nationwide.
Florence Cohen, 85, of New York, said in the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan that the game's manufacturer, Rockstar Games, and its parent company, New York-based Take Two Interactive Software Inc., engaged in false, misleading and deceptive practices.
She sought unspecified damages on behalf of herself and all consumers nationwide, saying the company should give up its profits from the game for what amounted to false advertising, consumer deception and unfair business practices.
Cohen said in the suit that she bought the game in late 2004 for her grandson when it was rated "M" for mature, for players 17 and older. According to the suit, she directed that it be taken away from her grandson, which was done.
The game was released in October with an "M" rating. After a storm of negative publicity about the hidden scenes, the Entertainment Software Ratings Board, an industry group responsible for rating games, changed the rating to "AO" for adults only.
Laurence D. Paskowitz, the lawyer who filed the lawsuit on behalf of Cohen, said no parent would knowingly buy an adult-only video game for their children.
"They should really make sure this doesn't happen again," he said. "The least this company can do is offer refunds."
Hidden areas in video games that can be unlocked with special codes or modifications are not uncommon.
Take Two Interactive initially said the scenes were not part of the retail version of the game but later admitted they were.
A message left for a company spokesman was not immediately returned. On Tuesday, Take-Two announced that it had been notified by the Federal Trade Commission's Division of Advertising Practices that it was conducting an inquiry into the game's advertising claims.
The company said it planned to cooperate fully with the probe.
"Rockstar Games and Take Two Interactive regret that consumers may have been exposed to content that was not intended to be accessible in the playable version of 'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas'," it said in a statement.
The company said it had halted production of the game in the controversial form and was working on a version of the game without the hidden sexual content.
"Going forward, the company will refine the process by which it edits games and will enhance the protection of its game code to prevent such future modifications," it said.
Earlier this week, the House voted 355-21 for a resolution asking the FTC to investigate the company. Last week, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., asked the FTC to investigate Rockstar, saying the company had "gamed the ratings system" by concealing sex scenes in the game that can be unlocked by computer programs available on the Internet.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Target Corp., Best Buy Co. and Circuit City Stores Inc. have pulled the game - last year's top-seller among console games - from their shelves following the rating change.
---
On the Net:
Federal Trade Commission: http://www.ftc.gov
Entertainment Software Ratings Board: http://www.esrb.org
Take Two Interactive: http://www.take2games.com
AP-ES-07-27-05 1355EDT
In my day, a grandma would knit you booties and read you books of nursery rhymes. I don't think she deserves the title of Grandma if she's helping her grandson kill hos and steal cars.
She does not deserve any reward, she is a dumbass who shoudl only be entitled to her money back. My issue is with the game company.
My grandma (94) starts knitting a blanket for new babies as soon as she hears it is on the way. I had one and most everyone in my extended family has one. I agree with you, this grandma was deficient.
If she bought a PG-13 movie and it had R scenes in it, that would be a more apt comparison.
And what is your issue with the game company? For clearly labeling their product?
BS. Mature clearly states 17 and above.
Where does one go to get the cheats/hidden access codes ?
See where it says 17+? So how is it false advertising or anything else other than your own bias?
Right, but it SHOULD HAVE BEEN RATED AO for adults only, a higher rating.
The grandma is not a great plaintiff, but there is a case here. The company comitted a fraud.
Because it was not rated on the hidden content PLACED IN THE GAME BY THE MANUFACTURER. It was rated M because they lied about what was in the game.
I guess you would have no problem going to and R rated movie and finding hard core porn on the screen?
gamespot.com is one of them...
I'd be willing to bet that if you did a search, you'd find that the lawyer and/or the grandmother have contributed to H. Clinton...or other Dems.
PING!
Just because Hillary is for something doesn't make me against it. I am confident enough to think for myself.
Forget I said anything. You have your mind made up and nothing anyone can say will change your mind. Way to side with Hillary.
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COHEN, FLORENCE
NEW YORK,NY 10017
RETIRED
8/19/2000
$1,000
Schumer, Charles E
Can't we get these people on collusion or something? This is so blatant it has to be a set up.
Hehhe... good stuff. At least, for the thread in question. I haven't read any of his other articles yet.
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