[mitsur]

An article in the Gameinformer magazine I get every month inspired me to make this topic. Specifically, it talks about the ratings scandal that arose from the now infamous Hot Coffee mod from GTA: Vice City. In the mod, simulated sex could be done with female counterparts in full view of the player. This raised a huge uproar from the whole gaming industry.

Also, there was the other mod in The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion, where a mod opened up a art file that allowed topless female characters. This also raised a storm of controversy.

In GTA's case, the game immediately got slapped with an AO (adults only) rating, which is game version of a movie's X rating.

In Oblivion's case, the game got a M (mature) rating, the game version of a movie's R rating.

Now, step back for a moment, and think about the fact that most movies that have sex scenes usually only gain an R rating, unless it is extremly long and/or obscene.

And yet Rockstar gained an AO rating and recived numerous angry complaints on something that wasn't even supposed to be opened in the first place. It was modders who opened up the game and released the material. Rockstar mst likely never meant for it to be realeased.

And Oblivion's case is similar, except that the material in question was not as bad. Also, the material was only meant for reference and was most likely used to make the necessary shapes for the women's figure. Also, this material was not supposed to opened in the first place either. Modders also released this material.

In my thoughts, this was a gross injustice to the video game industry, since even now Jack Thompson and his band of so-called 'protectors of our children' are screaming at the slightest thing that isn't 'right'. It is a wonder to me that he is not jumping on games like Leisure Suit Larry and other games so obviously centered on what JT does not deem 'safe'.

But, back to the ratings game. Like I said before, Movies that have sex-scenes or extreme nudity in them are only rated R. Only porn films usually gain the X rating. And yet GTA was slapped with AO once something not meant to be seen was found by people modding the game. Oblivion was given a M rating for the same reasons.

Do you guys have any thoughts on this?