Sex and Violence
Here is a link to another article that confirms many US parents are not offended or worried about their children viewing violent content but are deathly afraid of sexual content.
This article talks about the re-rating of the popular game “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas,” an amazing game (called by some critics the best game ever) where players seek to gain back their neighborhood with the use of violence. The game had explicit sexual content that could be unlocked with a modification widely available on the internet. The rating would change from M (Mature) to AO (Adults Only).
Anyone who has played this game or others in the most recent series of GTA titles knows what the game contains: killing, blood, guns, drugs, whores, fast cars, and so on. This is why many people play the game, me included. The sexual content is usually limited to implied sex acts.
What I find astounding about this is that the gamemaker has reduced its anticipated earnings for the next quarter, expecting downturned sales. This implies that parents would have bought the game for their children when it was rated M, but not when it is rated AO, although there is issue with some retailers refusing to carry the game with the changed rating.
I find it amazing that violence, which in reality is relatively rare in our lives, is considered fine. A game that many parents would say glorifies violence, including shooting police officers and innocent people, is considered appropriate. When sexual content arises in the game, however, it is not appropriate. And the game isn’t glorifying sex either, there is simply an unlockable animated scene. Different from violence, sex is obviously extremely common. It is also great. And sex WILL happen in 99.999999% of all people’s lives. A natural act is dirty, while an act that harms others is considered fine. America has gone crazy.
So stupid Hilary Clinton, raging against this game, go fight a battle that makes sense. Parents are responsible for their own choices, and the industry does a good job of policing itself. Mature is not different, in reality, from Adults Only. Let’s get our heads right about this issue.
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July 22nd, 2005 21:05
I’m in total agreement with you on this one. However, I heard (unconfirmed) that Walmart would not be stocking the game with the AO rating. That’s pretty significant if true.
Maybe I’ll have to stop citing the hypocrisy of Walmart selling GTA3, but not albums with explicit lyrics. There’s still the other two games.