I agree, there is a big difference. I still argue that you're moreso enabling already created content instead of creating new content. It's still something there, on the DVD you purchased.
A game that's rated M should, technically, only be sold to someone above the age of 17. I've worked part time from 15 and on (I'm 20 now, but that's not relevant) and was able to buy many a game for $50.
My parents did a good job, and I turned out fairly well, but I was able to play what games I wanted to without their approval despite their vigilance, so don't go blaming the parents too quickly.
P. S. You undermine your argument fairly quick when you say "blah blah blah, except in this one case but who cares about them anyway". Particularly when that one case (teenagers) is the majority of the debate.
Your analogy fails because there is a critical difference: quake 3 didn't come with hardcore pornagraphy textures in the game, whereas GTA:SA came with all the necessary files for the sex mini-game (referred to as "hot coffee") on it's DVD. Yes, it does require you to "hack" into the games files a bit, but you're not creating new content. That's why this is a fuzzy situation.
Let's think back to the Quake (...engine) days again, when you had to modify the game shortcut for Half Life to say "sv_cheats=1". Are you modifying the game? Technically, yes. Are you doing much more than enabling something already built there by the coders. Technically, no. While in GTA it's a bit harder than a few additional keystrokes, you're still simply enabling something already built there by the coders.
As much as I love GTA:SA (I'm nearing 80% and hope to be at 100% soon enough), I do believe this is the fault of Rockstar Games for not entirely removing the content before distribution. The ESRB shouldn't be blamed, as games are required to fully disclose the content of the game.
Slashdot Mirror
I agree, there is a big difference. I still argue that you're moreso enabling already created content instead of creating new content. It's still something there, on the DVD you purchased.
A game that's rated M should, technically, only be sold to someone above the age of 17. I've worked part time from 15 and on (I'm 20 now, but that's not relevant) and was able to buy many a game for $50. My parents did a good job, and I turned out fairly well, but I was able to play what games I wanted to without their approval despite their vigilance, so don't go blaming the parents too quickly. P. S. You undermine your argument fairly quick when you say "blah blah blah, except in this one case but who cares about them anyway". Particularly when that one case (teenagers) is the majority of the debate.
Your analogy fails because there is a critical difference: quake 3 didn't come with hardcore pornagraphy textures in the game, whereas GTA:SA came with all the necessary files for the sex mini-game (referred to as "hot coffee") on it's DVD. Yes, it does require you to "hack" into the games files a bit, but you're not creating new content. That's why this is a fuzzy situation.
Let's think back to the Quake (...engine) days again, when you had to modify the game shortcut for Half Life to say "sv_cheats=1". Are you modifying the game? Technically, yes. Are you doing much more than enabling something already built there by the coders. Technically, no. While in GTA it's a bit harder than a few additional keystrokes, you're still simply enabling something already built there by the coders.
As much as I love GTA:SA (I'm nearing 80% and hope to be at 100% soon enough), I do believe this is the fault of Rockstar Games for not entirely removing the content before distribution. The ESRB shouldn't be blamed, as games are required to fully disclose the content of the game.