Scandalous San Andreas

The discovery of hidden, adult-oriented coding in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas has caused a furor in the gaming community. The game has been moved up from "M" for "Mature" to "AO" for "Adults only." A lot of stores are responding by pulling it from their shelves. Source

I think that's a good move. Few parents monitor what their kids do or watch, so at the very least, retail stores can limit their exposure by not carrying AO games. If an adult really wants the AO version, they can buy it online.

However, that the level of violence and crime you can commit in San Andreas merits it an "M" rating, while the hidden adult-stuff pushes it to "AO" shows how strange our American values are. To say that simulated, clothes-on nookie is bad for under 18 year-olds' games -- yeah, all right, I'll buy that. But by drawing the line there, look at what we're saying is more acceptable:

• Hitting people over the head with baseball bats
  
• Shooting folks with machine guns
  
• Running over people with cars
  
• Plus, the obvious premise of the game -- stealing cars!

This kind of stuff has sparked controversies before (Link), which led to the establishment of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). But just like with movies, there's a big difference in profitability between something rated "R" and "AO." Companies want to be able to make games that push the edge of acceptability, becuase that's where the money at.

Parents have got to realize that Ratings boards are not the best judge of what's appropriate for their kids. So to parents: don't just look at what the ESRB rates a game. Be involved in your kids' lives, and decide for yourselves what they can handle.