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San Andreas suits advance

Federal judge denies Take-Two's motion to dismiss state-specific suits, will consider one massive class action.

When the Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas sex-minigame scandal hit the mainstream media last year, legal action swiftly followed. A series of class-action suits were filed against Take-Two Interactive, owner of GTA publisher Rockstar Games. One plaintiff was Florence Cohen, who claimed she suffered emotional damage after learning of the minigames in San Andreas, which she had bought for her grandson.

Along with many others, Cohen's complaint sought class-action status for all purchasers of San Andreas. Over the course of the past year, many of the San Andreas suits have been combined in a federal court in New York City. There, lawyers for Take-Two have argued that some suits be dismissed on the grounds that they could be filed only in the states where the plaintiffs actually resided, not federally.

Yesterday, according to the Reuters news service, a judge ruled against Take-Two, saying that she would consider granting all plaintiffs class-action status. "If class certification is granted, the court will have the benefit of a well-defined class and a more fully developed treatment of potential choice of law questions," U.S. District Judge Shirley Wohl Kram was quoted as saying.

190 Comments

  • makung

    Posted Jun 15, 2007 8:37 pm GMT

    they should tell the stores to warn the buyers of it's content of what they are buying. gta is not at most at fault. or make the game 4 adults only.

  • Usagiboy75

    Posted Jan 31, 2007 6:13 am GMT

    She bought GTA for her grandson. Gee thanks Grandma you rock!. How cool is that! My grandma always gave me underpants or socks. One year she gave me a tight red g-string so we put her in a home. But seriously folks did she not look at the cover art or advert ising nor read the label (M+) or the blurb on the back, nor hear any of the stink raised by this or any of the previous 4 games in the series when they were dropped on an unsuspecting and deeply appreciative public. No! Then it is time to shuffle off this mortal coil!

  • martell_l

    Posted Nov 10, 2006 10:59 am GMT

    This suit is redicul, redecul, this is crazy, Don't buy or play the game if your scared of your emotions.

  • wizard_12_973

    Posted Nov 10, 2006 4:35 am GMT

    it seems like this country is going down the drain!!!!!! emotional damage? that's stupid!!!!! all i have to say is for Take-Two to keep doing their thing.

  • wizard_12_973

    Posted Nov 10, 2006 4:33 am GMT

    it seems like this country is going down the drain!!!!!! emotional damage? that's stupid!!!!! all i have to say is for Take-Two to keep doing their thing.

  • cheezz

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 8:26 pm GMT

    wat a stupid grandma its says 17+!!

  • martin_11

    Posted Nov 6, 2006 5:00 pm GMT

    stupid grandma! we hate u! gta san andreas's sex minigame is funny and ... too

  • superoney

    Posted Nov 5, 2006 10:56 am GMT

    emotional damage....why the hell did she buy the game for her grandson..

  • Hameyadea

    Posted Nov 5, 2006 4:15 am GMT

    emotional damage?? from SA??? direct quote from a commercial in chatterbox, GTA III: "the great thing about this country is that you can sue anyone for pretty much anything, and you'll probably win! or at least get a settlement..." LOL

  • _Sam_

    Posted Nov 3, 2006 7:10 pm GMT

    I wonder what other idiotic cases there are against Take-Two. Take-Two shouldn't be blamed for people not being responsible (IMO)

  • WWE4lyfe123

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 4:00 pm GMT

    For how long is this trail going to happen it's getting really really stupid

  • xDarkpuppetx

    Posted Oct 31, 2006 7:34 pm GMT

    For Godsake Its A Game Leave It Alone.

  • PyscoJuggalo

    Posted Oct 30, 2006 1:10 pm GMT

    This is why people support Euthanasia! Old people keep acting like this and your days will be numbered shorter!

  • AngelCage

    Posted Oct 30, 2006 6:41 am GMT

    I don't care about this stuff or anyting. I just want San Andreas for the Wii wit overhauld graphics, use of the wiimote and.... Wiimoter - Hot Coofee Minigame ^^


    Really, San andreas on the Wii could be a Mind Blower!!!!


    GTA 4 on 360,ps3 & PC, SA on Wii, perfct deal for Rockstar

  • SDog624

    Posted Oct 29, 2006 8:28 pm GMT

    EMOTIONAL DAMAGE?!?!?!? wow, just wow. this is where americas legal system turns into a joke. people can sue anyone for anything just to get some money out of it. seriously, what kind of emotional damage do u get from this? i bet you this grandson was 19 too.

  • patriot6

    Posted Oct 29, 2006 7:30 am GMT

    stupid people just waiting for a chance to take money out of anywhere.

  • risi37

    Posted Oct 29, 2006 5:18 am GMT

    this is stupid grandparents should not buy game's

  • need4spizzle

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 11:40 pm GMT

    Killing is ok but sex with clothes on NO WAY CANT HAVE IT. Did she even look at the cover before she bought the game? I mean come on you cant be that dumb.

  • ringbling

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 11:00 pm GMT

    Goes to show the overall stupidity of people. If you don't look at the cover and see the M - Mature rating, and you get all butt hurt over it, it's your own fault. You peed the bed, now you get to stew in it. 90% of the population needs to be deprived of the ability to breed, and this GTA:SA is proof of that - read the covers parents - be responsible FFS!!!

  • Angryduck67

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 7:41 pm GMT

    "One plaintiff was Florence Cohen, who claimed she suffered emotional damage after learning of the minigames in San Andreas, which she had bought for her grandson. "

    This made me laugh, that's just funny.

  • Butter_Stick

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 7:00 pm GMT

    Don't you ppl realize that games are supposed to report their content to the ESRB and other rating boards, and failure to do so, especially when its cartoon porn, leads to fines. The fact that they sold the game like this makes everyone, including the government, look like fools.

  • kavadias1981

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 12:09 pm GMT

    Sex is the most natural thing in existence. To be shocked by it is just disturbing in my opinion. Also I totally agree with Sergsky's comment. Of all games to get your Grandchild. Stupid woman.

  • Sergsky

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 11:18 am GMT

    Maybe she didn't notice the "M" on the game's cover, and that of course is Rockstar's fault, according to her.

  • gamerTag-shank

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 10:22 am GMT

    zerox0409
    "while i agree that Florence Cohen's statments were very over the top.
    there is still a huge difference between voilence in a game and porn in a game."
    ------------------------------

    Right... Cause here in America, we'd much rather teach our kids to KILL than to F@CK!

    Man - this county's value's are so twisted sometimes. Ever wish the Puritans would have settle a half a continent further south? :-)

  • zerox0409

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 12:20 am GMT

    while i agree that Florence Cohen's statments were very over the top.

    there is still a huge difference between voilence in a game and porn in a game.

  • vercetti_dude2

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 12:04 am GMT

    You have to download some very specific mods to have access to said minigame. Why are people so greedy and moronic? Emotional damages my ass, everyone who sues someone puts in emotional damages simply because it cannot be disproved.

  • suspect360

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 10:03 pm GMT

    shut up get a life

  • rpc2006

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 8:51 pm GMT

    "Florence Cohen, who claimed she suffered emotional DAMAGE after learning of the minigames in San Andreas" ...........................she just wants money and so does every other retard that filled suit

  • VegetaMaelstrom

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 7:46 pm GMT

    "Florence Cohen, who claimed she suffered emotional DAMAGE after learning of the minigames in San Andreas"


    I think this harpy should have to prove she suffered actual damage. Did she suffer a heart attack within moments of learning about this hidden minigame? Did she become depressed and try to take her life? Or was she only mildly shocked, like when her daily soaps bring back a character from the dead in an unexpected way? If her definition of emotional damage is a sudden swing for the worse, then someone's gonna get sued by me because my grandmother passed away recently and that was a tough period for me emotionally. Hmm, I guess I should sue the local hospital or the funeral home, I'm damaged! KA-CHING!

  • ivan_the_one

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 2:51 pm GMT

    this is waste of time.....a

  • thefjk

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 2:20 pm GMT

    Hey grandma, your child deserves to know what this world's all about. Guns, hoes, life and death, robbery kidanapping etc etc. The earlier the better LOL!

  • zerooslo7990

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 2:20 pm GMT

    How do you have emotional damage for a minigame THAT YOU CAN"T EVEN PLAY!!! It takes some hardcore hacking to get it on PS2, it's kinda easy to get it on pc, but not if you do the updates.

    Besides, geting an M rated game, for your grandson?

    Leave the game alone. It's over done, long ago.

  • deshields538

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 1:33 pm GMT

    Buying GTA for her Grandson? Umm.... Yeah that was a great choice condsidering how it was rated eh Grandma?

  • angus73

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 1:25 pm GMT

    god they are still sueing because of san andreas

  • Conjuredevil

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 1:05 pm GMT

    huh?!

  • sancezz

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 1:00 pm GMT

    oh God, someone please hurt Florence. Stupid American sueing culture.

  • EliteMercenary

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 12:36 pm GMT

    "After LEARNING of the minigames" That right there clearly indicates neither she nor her grandson witnessed these games. Precisely where do we draw the line? Are we to block the very IDEA of that which is objectionable? If a woman purchases a carrot and then hears it could be used as a sex object is it her right to sue God?

  • Junomaster2006

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 12:24 pm GMT

    What's positive about all of this is that soon, all the old people will die and we will soon be the next generation. And with that, we should have the power to take back what's ours and we get to vote and change the laws around. So, never stop fighting back!

  • greks224

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 12:00 pm GMT

    San Andreas is only inappopriate when used the wrong way. I mean it really takes considerable effort to be damaged by the content you never wanted to see in the first place

  • blueflamedino

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 11:57 am GMT

    What about buying a kitchen knife and discovering it was sharp after you bought it, should I sue over emotional shock that a kitchen utensil can be a deadly tool? Keep in mind that M rated videogames also have questionable sequences in them, thats why its rated M, and thats why many stores decided not to sell it to minors. Duh

    And Bored1ed, you make a good point then follow it with a poor excuse. But you are a nice person for trying to defend the old lady, though she is trying to mooch take two.

  • NoLimitJay1

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 11:49 am GMT

    "One plaintiff was Florence Cohen, who claimed she suffered emotional damage after learning of the minigames in San Andreas, which she had bought for her grandson. "

    Anything for a buck.

  • samekila

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 11:27 am GMT

    Grand Theft Auto what does that stand for what a dumb old lady. GTA sure dont stand for cute little kittens. What the hell with out an M rateing the name should tell parents something!

  • Bored1ed

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 11:14 am GMT

    I agree with Berserker. Take-two kinda brought this on themselves. Also chuckles has a valid point. She bought the game in which has a M-Rating. The minigame wouldn't of had bumped the rating up. So M-Rated games could have all sorts of naughty in it. She should have used better judgement.

    Those of you guys that are bashing this lady should look at it both ways. Remember, there are 2 sided to every story. She could be looking for handouts or she could also of been completely idiotic when purchasing this game. She could have just went to the store asked for what her grandson wanted without question. I'm not defending her because it really all comes down to her. Though I think the name calling is just childish. She could just be a nice old lady who was completely shocked when she found out about the minigame because her grandson made it out to be Barney in San Andreas.

  • monkkito

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 11:12 am GMT

    And now we let old people and hags control what games we play

  • Exeed_Orbit

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 11:10 am GMT

    It's a mini-GAME! People should learn to distinguish between real life and games. This topic has been covered extensively, maybe not regarding this, but regarding the violent effects it may have on children. If you let a video game affect your life that much, then you should consider seeing a damn shrink. I sure hope take two doesn't lose more money on this bull.

  • niceaznguy721

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 11:01 am GMT

    that old hag is pathetic,she probably wants to sue Take Two because she cant win the lottery,f*ckin handout hogs

  • cikame

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 10:59 am GMT

    "One plaintiff was Florence Cohen, who claimed she suffered emotional damage after learning of the minigames in San Andreas"
    check the medical records in cases like this....some things are better described once you find out people are mentally fragile

  • Berserker_2

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 10:56 am GMT

    If Rockstar never made the mini-game, they would not have this lawsuit. There are consequences to stupidity.

  • ChucklesMginty

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 10:33 am GMT

    She must have asked for the game that every little boy wants... I'm fed up with people getting annoyed with games saying there too violent saying there too offensive if you don't like it don't buy what the hell are you thinking buying it for your Grandson it's your fault. it's the same with movies you don't like it you don't watch it, you don't buy the DVD for your Grandson but then you don't see people going oh I bought this adult movie for my Grandson and it had loads of sex in it I'm suing you, or I bought hostel on DVD for my Grandson and it was way to violent. It's the American way I guess. The only real excuse for that would be if the guy who sold it said it was on Disney DVD...

  • VolcanoMan001

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 10:33 am GMT

    "One plaintiff was Florence Cohen, who claimed she suffered emotional damage after learning of the minigames in San Andreas, which she had bought for her grandson."

    ---So tell me this is not opportunism at its worst. Everyone now days is looking to get rich quick by suing the corporations because they want a freggin handout. Here's and idea, got off your old ass and work.

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