WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Trade Commission, in response to a resolution passed by members of the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday, is investigating the popular video game “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas,” which has been pulled off the shelves by many outlets last week because of explicit sex scenes hidden in the game.Last week, the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) changed the rating for the latest installment of the GTA franchise to the more restrictive “Adult” category when they became aware of the modification that unlocks the sex scenes.
Known as “Hot Coffee,” the modification allows gamers to guide the game’s main character to his girlfriend’s house, and participate in a variety of explicit sex acts.
New York-based Take Two Interactive Software, the game’s publisher, confirmed on Tuesday that the FTC’s Division of Advertising Practices is looking into the game, and said that Take Two believes it has acted “in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.”
The House resolution asked the FTC to investigate whether the game’s authors intentionally deceived the ratings board to avoid the restrictive “adult” rating. The GTA series has long been a magnet for criticism, due to its graphic violent content, including the ability to physically assault the game’s digital prostitutes and police officers.
GTA: San Andreas had originally carried a “Mature 17+” rating. Rockstar Games plans to release a new M-rated version of the game that will not allow players to use the “Hot Coffee” hack.
The investigation is the latest in a series of bad news items for Take-Two, which settled with the Securities and Exchange Commission in June over a probe into allegedly fraudulent account practices.
A number of major national chains, including Best Buy, Circuit City, Wal-Mart and Target, are pulling the title from their shelves.
Since the rating change, Take-Two shares have fallen 13 percent.
