Already controversial for its graphic, extreme violence, video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas has drawn new attention over claims that the game includes a few hidden explicit sex scenes. Among those crying foul is a California lawmaker for whom the claims offered another reason to blast current video game ratings as inadequate.
The Scotsman reported July 8 that a mini-game within the Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas package revolves around players trying to woo a girlfriend. The mini-game offers more than just the virtual girlfriend inviting the winning wooer back for coffee: The publication said gamers claim the original coding includes hidden scenes showing what happens behind closed doors.
"It is claimed that this allows players to watch graphic scenes featuring sex acts, nudity and simulated intercourse," The Scotsman said. "The hidden scenes were discovered by modders, a group of PC users who hack into game codes to access cheats and secrets hidden by game developers online."
Neither Grand Theft Auto maker Rockstar North nor parent Take Two Interactive have commented about the speculation, but The Scotsman suggested the scenes might have been in the original San Andreas code but were removed by its developers "at the last minute."
California state Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Leland Yee (D-San Francisco), has criticized the Entertainment Software Ratings Board for not rating Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and other video games properly.
"Once again, ESRB has failed our parents,” Yee fumed in a prepared statement. “This particular game has been known to include extremely heinous acts of violence, and now it has been uncovered that the game also includes explicit sexual scenes that are inappropriate for our children. I have urged the ESRB on numerous occasions to rate this game AO [adults only] based on its blatantly graphic nature."
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreashas an M (Mature, 17 ) rating from the ESRB. An ESRB spokesman was unavailable for comment.
