House backs federal investigation of Rockstar Games
[UPDATE] Hot Coffee scandal intensifies as legislators vote 355-21 to support a Federal Trade Commission probe seeking answers from the Take-Two subsidiary.
Just when you thought the Hot Coffee scandal couldn't get any hotter, the heat is getting turned way up--by the federal government, no less.
Just after 7:00pm on Capitol Hill today, the House of Representatives voted 355 to 21 to support a Federal Trade Commission inquiry into Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. The purpose of the probe will be to determine if Take-Two Interactive and its publishing subsidiary Rockstar Games deceived the voluntary Entertainment Software Ratings Board when it submitted Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
Today's vote advanced House Resolution 376, introduced by Congressman Fred Upton (R-MI). In Upton's words, he is "leading the congressional effort to determine if a best-selling video game maker intentionally deceived the industry's ratings board to avoid an 'Adults-Only' rating."
In a statement, Upton recently said he was "outraged by the brazenness of Rockstar Games in their effort to do an end-run around the ratings system... Rockstar Games' deceit has severely undermined the integrity of the ratings system."
The game initially received a rating of M for Mature but has since been slapped with a rating of AO for Adults Only, becoming one of only a handful of games to bear the retailer-scorned label. Rockstar is in the process of manufacturing new game discs that have the hidden sex minigame removed. Those versions of the game will be rated M.
The vote, coming on the eve of a five-week recess in Congress, means that Rockstar could now come under scrutiny by the federal government. It also raises the possibility that there could be a penalty imposed if an investigation finds that the publisher committed fraud in obtaining the M rating for San Andreas.
[UPDATE] According to attorney Jack Thompson, an outspoken critic of Rockstar Games, the resolution does not have the binding effect of law; it simply expresses the overwhelming sentiment of the House of Representatives that the Federal Trade Commission should investigate the matter fully.
As for where the House resolution might lead, Thompson told GameSpot that from his perspective, additional action inside the beltway was likely: "I have spoken with leaders on the Hill on all this, and you can look for Congressional hearings on this in the fall."
GameSpot will have more details on the investigation as further information is made available.
Hot Stories
Newsmakers
-
GameSpot's Best of 2009 - Dubious Honors Winners
Find out our Dubious Honors Winners in the Best of 2009 Awards! Full Story
- Posted Dec 22, 2009 11:56 am PT
-
GameSpot's Best of 2009 - Special Achievement Winners
Find out our special achievement winners in the Best of 2009 Awards! Full Story
- Posted Dec 21, 2009 11:59 am PT
Featured Stories
-
Xbox Avatars to 'encourage exercise'?
Microsoft patent details technology to make 360's avatars have same physical appearance as their real-world counterparts--and thereby promote physical fitness. Full Story
- Posted Dec 21, 2009 12:13 pm PT
- 711 Comments
-
'Ghost Recon Future Soldier' trademarked
Ubisoft USPTO filing reveals likely name of next installment in its tactical Tom Clancy shooter series, due out after Q1 2010. Full Story
- Posted Dec 21, 2009 1:06 pm PT
- 132 Comments
-
Take-Two sells distribution arm, cuts Q1 forecast by $120 million
Publisher cuts annual outlook to $910 million after Jack of All Games subsidiary is scooped up by IT systems distributor Synnex. Full Story
- Posted Dec 21, 2009 2:53 pm PT
- 26 Comments
-
Shippin' Out December 20-26: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles
Square Enix's Crystal Bearers for the Wii leads a light release slate including the retail launch of Guitar Hero: Van Halen. Full Story
- Posted Dec 21, 2009 10:55 am PT
- 47 Comments
-
Final Fantasy XIII day-one sales hit 1 million in Japan
Square Enix's hotly anticipated JRPG busts platinum sales marker in 24 hours on PS3, franchise sales surpass 92 million. Full Story
- Posted Dec 18, 2009 10:53 am PT
- 729 Comments
Submit News
Related Game
- Rockstar Games
- Rockstar North
- Modern Action Adventure
- Release: Oct 26, 2004 »
- ESRB: Mature
Recent News
-
Game releases hold steady in 2009
EEDAR analysis finds slightly more titles fighting over fewer customer dollars, increasingly scarce shelf space; 2010 to see fewer new retail games.
1 Comments
Sign in / Sign up