Promises

Sen. Clinton Asks FTC to Investigate Rockstar, Promises Game Legislation

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on July 14, 2005 - 10:05am.

Washington -- Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) on Thursday asked the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to look into whether a sexually explicit mini-game tied to the video game "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" was created by the game's developer, or is only available as a modification downloadable online. Rockstar Games has said previously that hackers developed the mini-game, and that the code comprising it is not included on retail copies of GTA. Clinton's inquiry follows actions taken in Australia toward banning the game, and criticism of the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) by a California state lawmaker. Clinton asked the FTC to determine whether the game should be given a rare "AO" (Adults Only) label, instead of the current "M" (Mature) rating. Clinton also said she would introduce legislation that would slap a $5,000 fine on retailers who sold violent or sexually explicit games to minors. "The disturbing material in Grand Theft Auto and other games like it is stealing the innocence of our children and it's making the difficult job of being a parent even harder," said Senator Clinton. "I am announcing these measures today because I believe that the ability of our children to access pornographic and outrageously violent material on video games rated for adults is spiraling out of control."