Rockstar and ESRB in Hot Water over Hot Coffee

News - Pornographic mini-game causes stir stateside

Rockstar and America's game-rating board are once again in the spotlight this week after a vocal attack against GTA San Andreas and the ESRB from game-morality critic assemblyman Leland Yee. The game was rated 'M' for 'mature' upon release, the standard rating for titles like San Andreas, however the critics say the ESRB should have taken a tougher stance by slapping an 'AO' (Adult's only) rating on Rockstar's latest. Yee and his cohorts attacked the ratings board as untrustworthy, suggesting some kind of collusion with game companies, after the arrival of the 'Hot Coffee' mod which unlocks a pornographic mini-game in San Andreas.

The creator of the mod stated that the mini-game was an unfinished element of the title which shipped hidden on the game disc, Rockstar for there part are now denying this, stating that the game is part of the mod. The ESRB appear to be taking complaints very seriously over this matter, with an investigation into the San Anreas / Hot Coffee saga promised.

"The integrity of the ESRB rating system is founded on the trust of consumers who increasingly depend on it to provide complete and accurate information about what's in a game," board president Patricia Vance stated. "If after a thorough and objective investigation of all the relevant facts surrounding this modification, we determine a violation of our rules has occurred, we will take appropriate action."

Rockstar - for there part - have taken the standard line in such a situation, stating that "the work of the mod community is beyond the scope of either publishers or the ESRB." Regardless of whether the mini-game is on the original game CD or not, it would seem unfair to punish Rockstar or berate the ESRB for something not part of the original game - but it will be interesting to see the outcome of this case, certainly.