The Official Controversy Topic

[Deffpony]

GTA has always been a target for controversy among the mainstream. What do you think will be controversial in GTA V.

Some people have stated their opinions on things such as

• Animals
• Women Police
• Drug and Alcohol Abuse
• Scientology/Epsilon

Do you find these or other topics as sources for some unwanted attention?

 

Lets look at the past controversies of GTA:

 

 

Grand Theft Auto III was and remains very controversial because of its <!--SS-->violent and sexual content<!--EC-->. Frequently cited in the press is the opportunity for players to carjack a vehicle, pick up a prostitute, have (implied) sex with her, and then have the ability to kill her and steal her money

 

 

GameSpy, which named GTA III as "Game of the Year" in 2001, also gave it the title of "Most Offensive Game of the Year".

 

After its initial release in Australia, the game was banned for a period and a censored version of the game was to be released in its place. A key reason why this course of action was taken was that Rockstar did not submit GTA III to the Office of Film and Literature Classification, the body that, among other things, rates video games according to their content in Australia. Lacking a suitable R18+ rating (the highest rating being MA15+), the game was "Refused Classification" and banned for sale because they felt that the game was unsuitable for minors. The PC version though was reported to be uncut with an MA15+.

 

On October 20, 2003, the families of Aaron Hamel and Kimberly Bede, two young people shot by teens William and Josh Buckner (who in statements to investigators claimed their actions <!--SC-->were inspired by GTA III) filed a US$246 million lawsuit against publishers Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive Software, retailer Wal-Mart, and PlayStation 2 manufacturer Sony Computer Entertainment America. Rockstar and its parent company, Take-Two, filed for dismissal of the lawsuit, stating in U.S. District Court on October 29, 2003 that the "ideas and concepts as well as the 'purported psychological effects' on the Buckners are protected by the First Amendment's free-speech clause." The lawyer of the victims, Jack Thompson, denied that and is attempting to move the lawsuit into a state court and under Tennessee's consumer protection act.

 

 

The ESRB rated this game "M" for Mature. In Australia, it was censored in case of it receiving a refused classification rating in which the ability to pick up a prostitute was blocked, so the game could be given a MA15+ rating. In 2010, these small cuts were added back and the game still retained its MA15+ rating.

 

 

In November 2003, Cuban and Haitian groups in Florida targeted the title. They accused the game of inviting people to harm immigrants from those two nations.[28] The groups' claims of racism and incitement to genocide attracted a good deal of public attention towards Vice City.

 

Under further pressure, including threats from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to "do everything we possibly can" if Rockstar did not comply, Take-Two (the game's publisher) did agree to remove several lines of dialogue.

 

In February 2005, a lawsuit was brought upon the makers and distributors of the Grand Theft Auto series claiming the games caused a teenager to shoot and kill three members of the Alabama police force. The shooting took place in June 2003 when Devin Moore, 17 years old at the time, was brought in for questioning to a Fayette police station regarding a stolen vehicle. Moore then grabbed a pistol from one of the police officers and shot and killed him along with another officer and dispatcher before fleeing in a police car. One of Moore's attorneys, Jack Thompson, claimed it was GTA's graphic nature — with his constant playing time — that caused Moore to commit the murders, and Moore's family agrees.

 

Jack Thompson brought another lawsuit, claiming that Cody Posey played the game obsessively before murdering his father, stepmother, and stepsister on a ranch in Hondo, New Mexico. The suit asked for US$600 million in damages. The case was dismissed in December 2007, as New Mexico held no jurisdiction over Sony or Take-Two.

 

 

In mid-June 2005, a software patch for the game dubbed the "Hot Coffee mod" was released by Patrick Wildenborg (under the Internet alias "PatrickW"), a 38-year old modder from the Netherlands. The name "Hot Coffee" refers to the way the released game alludes to the unseen sex scenes. In the unmodified game, the player takes his girlfriend to her front door and she asks him if he would like to come in for "some coffee". He agrees, and the camera stays outside, swaying back and forth a bit, while moaning sounds are heard.

 

 

After installing the patch, users can enter the main character's girlfriends' houses and engage in a crudely rendered, fully clothed or nude sexual intercourse mini-game. The fallout from the controversy resulted in a public response from high-ranking politicians in the United States and elsewhere and resulted in the game's recall and re-release.

 

On July 20, 2005, North America's organization that establishes content ratings for video games, the ESRB, changed the rating of the game from Mature (M) to Adults Only (AO), making San Andreas the only mass-released AO console game in the United States. Rockstar announced that it would cease production of the version of the game that included the controversial content. Rockstar gave distributors the option of applying an Adults Only ESRB rating sticker to copies of the game, or returning them to be replaced by versions without the Hot Coffee content. Many retailers pulled the game off their shelves in compliance with their own store regulations that kept them from selling AO games. That same month in Australia, the Office of Film and Literature Classification revoked its original rating of MA15+, meaning that the game could no longer be sold there.

 

On November 8, 2007, Take-Two announced a proposed settlement to the class action litigation that had been brought against them following the Hot Coffee controversy. If the proposed settlement is approved by the court, neither Take-Two nor Rockstar would admit liability or wrongdoing. Consumers would be able to swap their AO-rated copies of the game for M-rated versions and may also qualify for a $35 cash payment upon signing a sworn statement.

A report in The New York Times on June 25, 2008 revealed that a total of 2,676 claims for the compensation package had been filed.

 

San Andreas was criticized by some for its perceived racial stereotyping. Some saw the alleged stereotyping as ironic while others defended the criticism by saying the storyline could speak to people of different backgrounds.

 

 

On his program, Glenn Beck, a conservative US talk-radio host, used GTA IV as an example to make wider claims about the use of violent video games by the US military, repeating claims made by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman that the US military uses first person shooting games to de-sensitise soldiers to killing.

In the second segment of the show, Beck spoke to Jack Thompson and Gavin McKiernan, national grass roots director for the Parents Television Council. Thompson called the game "a murder simulator" and went on to make unsubstantiated claims about actions that the player could perform in the game.

 

After the release of the first trailer for the game, New York City officials were appalled with the choice of their city as the inspiration for the setting of Grand Theft Auto IV, and said that a game like GTA does not represent the city's crime levels accurately.[20] A spokesperson for Mayor Michael Bloomberg said, "The mayor does not support any video game where you earn points for injuring or killing police officers."

 

While there is no official confirmation as to what was removed in the edited version of the game, blood pooling has been removed.

 

Cuts in the Australian PlayStation 3 edition are as follows:

[list•When picking up prostitutes, you are not able to select your 'service'. Like previous Australian Grand Theft Auto releases, all sexual animations have also been removed. The car will simply lock-on to a rear view, and the car will bounce up and down.

•Blood pools do not ooze out of victims bodies. In the uncut version, bloody footprints also appear when walking through blood pools, and the same happens with bloody tire tracks when driving through them. This is not available in the Australian edit.

•When characters are injured in the edited release, the injuries are of a lot less impact, "replacing graphic bullet wounds and blood patches with slight discolouration"

 

 

When it came time to release the game in Australia on the PC, however, Rockstar submitted a completely uncut edition to the OFLC to review, which they rated MA15+ without any editing or alterations. An official statement from Rockstar Games confirms this: "Grand Theft Auto IV PC has been rated MA15+ Strong Violence, Sex Scenes, Coarse Language and Drug References by the Australian Classification Office. The PC game is unedited in any way and identical in content to the international version."

 

The organisation Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) sharply criticized an in-game option that allows players to drive while intoxicated and called for a stricter rating on the game that would effectively ban its sale in the United States. "Drunk driving is not a game and it is not a joke," MADD said. "Drunk driving is a choice, a violent crime, and it is also 100 percent preventable." MADD is asking the Entertainment Software Rating Board to bump Grand Theft Auto IV's rating up to AO for Adults Only from M for Mature and calling for Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar Games to consider stopping distribution out of a sense of social responsibility, or out of respect for those who've been hurt or killed by drunk drivers. The ESRB describes that the game includes "Use of drugs and Alcohol"

 

Rockstar issued a statement to the Associated Press, saying "We have a great deal of respect for MADD's mission, but we believe the mature audience for Grand Theft Auto IV is more than sophisticated enough to understand the game's content." When attempting to enter a car while drunk in the game, the main character, Niko Bellic, will remark that he shouldn't drive drunk, and the player is encouraged to call a taxi instead. In addition to being extremely difficult to drive a car while intoxicated, in-game police will pursue the player if they are seen driving while intoxicated, leading to the risk of substantial monetary penalty for Niko. The game also allows only one circumstance in which Niko can get drunk - going for a drink with a friend or while out on a date; otherwise, the player cannot casually cause Niko to become intoxicated.

 

In the UK on 16 June 2008, The Sun reported the presence of an in-game internet resource called "Little Lacy Surprise Pageant" available on the in-game internet. This is a reference to the fake commercials heard on the fictitious radio stations in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories. The fake site–www.littlelacysurprisepageant.com–displays a message from virtual authorities saying it has been closed down. It warns that anyone caught looking at it will be investigated and features the warning: "We see it all, we know it all," which is similar to the quote "Don't think you can't get caught. You are not anonymous." found at Grokster.com. The player's Wanted level immediately jumps to 5 stars, resulting in both police and FIB (Federal Investigation Bureau) involvement in their arrest.

 

 

The domain name address is just one of dozens of fake sites in GTA IV. Typing it into a real internet browser redirects users to the official website for the game.

No missions in the game allow players to act out the role of a paedophile, and neither Rockstar Games nor Take-Two Interactive have issued a statement regarding the inclusion of this content in the title. For that matter, there are no children depicted at all in Liberty City in any scene or mission. This differs from Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas in which a Little Lacey Surprise commercial is heard on the radio

 

On 27 June 2008, police arrested six teenagers who went on a crime spree in the town of New Hyde Park, New York. The group mugged a man, knocking his teeth out, attempted to car-jack a woman driving a BMW and smashed a passing van with a bat. According to the Nassau County Police, the teens claimed they were inspired by Niko Bellic perpetrating violent crimes in Grand Theft Auto IV.

 

The Lost and Damned expansion pack was condemned by parents group Common Sense Media who issued a public warning against the pack's content due to a full-frontal nudity scene during one of the cut scenes. They claimed the game was "more controversial than its predecessors" because it featured "full frontal male nudity"<!--ES-->

 

 

(source:wikipedia.com)

[Crumplet]

Great topic!

 

I have a feeling the gore content in GTAV may cause some controversy, though the gore in MP3 and RDR will be essentially similar, this is GTA, no matter what people will find any excuse to flame this game. Mostly soccor mums

[Deffpony]

I think dogs for sure will be a huge issue... I think gore has become more accepted

[iiConTr0v3rSYx]

A topic.....about ME! Thank you

[Crumplet]

I think dogs for sure will be a huge issue... I think gore has become more accepted

Yeah, true, having animals in a GTA game will doubtlessly stirr up some sh*t.

 

Hopefully, the gore will slip under the radar.

[aliaseedful]

Even Maddox wrote [link=http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=ticket_to_hell]an article[/LINK] about the Hot Coffee Mod. The major controversy coming with the later games not only comes from the stereotypical performances of GTA habits but also of the increased level of view due to an improvement in graphics. The fact that GTA V is a very linear and eye-pleasing game asofar, the activities that have been committed in the past will soon come back into action like the scrambled eggs the strict society we live in ate for their proverbial breakfast. But other than that, animal control issues will pop up left and right. PETA will call out Chop as a stereotype of dogs and dogfighting shall be removed in many if not half of the countries GTA is allowed to be sold in. Animal issues probably will be the main thing, and Trevor's violence. But mainly animal issues due to the fact there are tons of animal rights societies that spring onto the slightest infraction in the rights of our animal neighbors (for instance PETA.) If they see dogs in a game so violent and controversial as GTA, they will assume dogfighting and if dogfighting does prevail into the games final development they will leech onto us like, well... a leech.

 

 

[Gustopher]

The marijuana dispensary will potentially cause controversy since it's "illegal" (i say that loosely) in California.

[Dragonjack]

Nice topic there. Yeah I actually quite miss all the controversy in the past to be honest. But some things "changes" alot in those years. I'm hoping for Rockstar to be careful with Grand Theft Auto Vs controversy this time around and for my opinion? Nah I don't think so, Rockstar gain alot in those years.

 

[kingbob182]

Were female police confirmed? Because in trailer 1, there were 3 male police running through an alley at 1:06

[grope_4_that_date]

Animals will certainly cause controversy, especially since players will be able to run them over with vehicles.

[Signal1]

This has been covered numerous times.

[kingbob182]

Great Post OP.

 

It has served as a terrific reminder that I should buy GTA V online or on release day to make sure I don't get some edited 'kid friendly' version.

 

If you're old enough to play the game (by the box's recommendations), you should really be old enough to know the difference between right and wrong.

 

 

I'm surprised they don't get into more trouble from other companies about using their logo's (I don't know the laws on using very similar graphics/slogans in a game...)

[Deffpony]

This has been covered numerous times.

Yea I realize this but 1.) those were before we knew anything and 2.) all the other topics were very vague or too specific...

 

Wasnt trying to step on anyones toes

[TheDizasterChild]

Have animals been confirmed aside from Chop? I can see PETA getting in on the fail train of lawsuits against Rockstar and Take-Two.

[Deffpony]

Have animals been confirmed aside from Chop? I can see PETA getting in on the fail train of lawsuits against Rockstar and Take-Two.

coyotes were confirmed as seen and Leslie the art director said there was wildlife

[Brr_]

Have animals been confirmed aside from Chop? I can see PETA getting in on the fail train of lawsuits against Rockstar and Take-Two.

yes, they where.

 

[norcalian]

You're late to party OP. There is already a controversy thread. There doesn't need to be two of them.

[xMohawkkinGx]

My fav. controversy was when Jack Thompson: Attacked GTA:SA for being to realistic. LOLZ, this is why this guy hasn't ever won a case.

[t3h PeNgU1N oF d00m]

Animals, and of course the ability to flip off soccer moms.

 

When their precious little sh*ts start flipping them off, we all know what game is going to be blamed.

[lazloisdavrock]

PETA is going to sh*t their pants

[Deffpony]

You're late to party OP. There is already a controversy thread. There doesn't need to be two of them.

The other threads just got bumped after I made this topic... not to mention I put alot more work in this thread than those threads

[norcalian]

You're late to party OP. There is already a controversy thread. There doesn't need to be two of them.

The other threads just got bumped after I made this topic... not to mention I put alot more work in this thread than those threads

Yes, and it went away for a reason. And this one will too. It's a boring and redundant topic when you really think about it. Who gives a sh*t what the controversy will be. Plus all you did was copy and paste a bunch of sh*t you didn't write.

[Signal1]

You're late to party OP. There is already a controversy thread. There doesn't need to be two of them.

The other threads just got bumped after I made this topic... not to mention I put alot more work in this thread than those threads

Maybe you should have used the search and posted all your "hard work" in there lol.

 

Oh, I see that "hard work" is now in the other thread. Cool.

 

Lock delete.

 

[MikeMyth]

Can't wait to see the stupid controversy with this game.. Ah, it's gonna be funny though, that's for sure.

[EvilFuture]

Know what I have to say about Jack Thompson? A BIG f*ck OFF. He's trying to ruin our GTA experience by claiming "GTA causes kids to f*cking murder people and sh*t" okay, that's not true. I played San Andreas when I was little... Am I a killer? Nope. Do I think about killing? Nope. NO GTA HAS EVER f*ckING INSPIRED ME TO DO ANYTHING. Just because a couple of not sane people get a hold of "violent video games" doesn't mean you have to f*cking false claim sh*t like that. I swear, people get dumber and dumber every day. It's pretty f*cking pathetic if you ask me.

[Deffpony]

You're late to party OP. There is already a controversy thread. There doesn't need to be two of them.

The other threads just got bumped after I made this topic... not to mention I put alot more work in this thread than those threads

Maybe you should have used the search and posted all your "hard work" in there lol.

 

Oh, I see that "hard work" is now in the other thread. Cool.

 

Lock delete.

 

Ok tough guy

[Death2Drugs]

No, no controversy at all. Everything will be all fine.

 

I can only hope.

 

 

[Deffpony]

No, no controversy at all. Everything will be all fine.

 

I can only hope.

wishful thinking lol

[Racecarlock]

Ah, controversy. You cannot get better marketing than controversy. It's not just Rockstar that knows this, mass effect got a whole trilogy because fox news mentioned the first one had full frontal nudity, which turned out to be a lie, but once the fans gained figured that out they were too involved in the series anyways. Fact is, GTA wouldn't be half as big as it is today if there weren't a group of constant media watch dogs making these wild claims and basically giving rockstar free advertising above and beyond anything they could ever dream of paying for.

[TenEightyOne]

Nice article, deff