Forget Hot Coffee... Those Naked People In The Sims Are The Downfall Of Society

from the say-what? dept

Wed, Jul 27th 2005 11:20am — Mike Masnick

Following the ridiculous reaction to the whole "Hot Coffee" mod in Grand Theft Auto (which allowed users to set up a consensual sex mini-game in the middle of a game that already supported carjacking, prostitution, murder and, well, general mayhem) some people joked that "The Sims" might now face trouble because some users had made add-ons that would make the Sims characters naked. It was a joke, right? Apparently it's not a joke to some. Jack Thompson, better known as the "blame the video game lawyer," is taking it very seriously. Thompson, you should recall, is the lawyer who seems to show up wherever there's youth violence and it turns out that the kid also played video games. He seems to believe that kids who are violent are never responsible for their own actions -- and all the blame must go to video games, despite plenty of evidence that youth violence continues to drop as video games get more popular. He has sued over Grand Theft Auto numerous times, and must be upset that he isn't getting any press coverage in this latest situation. So, he's written Electronic Arts and a bunch of politicians a letter demanding that "The Sims 2" be re-rated as an "Adults Only" game as well because some users, completely separate from the game itself, have created add-ons that could show naked people. You can pretty much see the steam rising from the spokesperson who responded from EA: "This is nonsense. Reasonable people understand there is nothing improper in the game. Reasonable people recognize what mods are... Reasonable people understand the San Jose Mercury News is not responsible for vulgar things that people doodle into the margins of the paper." Indeed. But, it often seems like we're seeing fewer and fewer reasonable people around these days. Update: And now someone is suing Rockstar because they bought the game for their 14-year-old grandson. The complaint says that the woman never would have bought the game for her grandson if she had known it had that sexual content in it. Hmm. First of all, the game was rated "M" -- which means only for those over 17 years old. Second, the game warning clearly states that it has sexual content. Third, the rest of the game is all about breaking laws, killing people, stealing cars and finding prostitutes. And, now she's suddenly worried that it had hidden consensual sex that her grandson probably never would have seen anyway?

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33 Comments

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Anonymous Coward, 27 Jul 2005 @ 12:21pm

The funny part...
Why don't they just make all video games (expecially PC) Adult Only? They might at well. There will always be someone willing to make a patch or mod that could potentially change the "rating" of a game. They do it because there is a demand for it and because it's fun.

In fact, I wouldn't be suprised to see an even larger BOOM in mods that create sexual explicit content for normal kid-rated games. Almost a 'Streisand Effect' if you will (but not really). It's all over the news right now which only gives modders the incentive to make even more sexual explicit or violent mods.

I still remember downloading the "nude raider" patch for Tomb Raider years ago. No one was freaking out about that one. Also, there are tons of mods, skins, sprites, etc that can be downloaded making games much more gory and violent that the programmers intended them to be.

This issue is far passed the point of being stopped. There is no point in even trying. Games are basically open source when the modding starts and the sky is practically the limit.

Next we'll hear how modding and patching retail games is becoming illegal and those sites will all be shut down and sued until the point where it is all pushed further underground just like all this P2P crap.

unbelievable.
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- Christopher TruLove, 27 Jul 2005 @ 1:10pm
  
  Re: The funny part...
  All SOFTWARE...
  
  I can us PAINT... to draw BOOBS... I can set that picture of BOOBS as my background in WINDOWS... I can email the BOOBS in OUTLOOK to my GOOGLE mail where I'll likely pick it up on my DEBIAN box and tweak it with GIMP running in KDE...
  
  Lawyers like this guy need to be... well.. they don't have a word for it... yet... but they will.
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- Master_stghm, 3 Apr 2006 @ 5:53pm
  
  Re: The funny part...
  I want my Jumpstart 2nd grade mod!
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jon787, 27 Jul 2005 @ 2:52pm

No Subject Given
Sorry everyone I think I gave him the idea.

While we are on the topic though, his next target should be National Geographic Magazine. This pornographic filth is in school libraries everywhere! THINK OF THE CHILDREN!
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GTA Player, 27 Jul 2005 @ 3:10pm

Games causing violence
Video games cause violence?! Movies make our youth violent! Music leads to dancing and dancing leads to touching! Everybody needs someone to blame other than therselves. There is one thing that DOES contribute to all of the above....under-parenting! When I was growing up in the 80's, sure, there weren't any violent video games, but there was violent adult based movies. My parents kept me away from such things. Parental guidence is what is lacking here. So, before you get all quick to blame the creator of the games, movies, and music, take a look at how you raise your children.
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- thatguy, 27 Jul 2005 @ 3:40pm
  
  Re: Games causing violence
  I completely agree because I too grew up in the 80's. Except instead of banning the rated R movies from my viewing, my parents simply explained what ART is and how the certain actions that take place in movies can be morally wrong and not acceptable to mimic.
  
  They sat me down and explained how wrong it is to use bad language on a regular basis and how people can be offended by it, and how violence is not the way to solve problems in life, and how sex is a natural thing that we all end up doing (when we are ready), but make sure to ask DAD to buy me condoms if I decide to do it before I turn 18. Everything was straight forward and even as a 8 year old, I understood it all.
  
  This is known as great parenting. I never had a rebellious stage and I listened to my parents because I respected them and their honesty towards me. They didn't jerk me around, make up lies, and tell me what I can and can't do. They let me make my own decisions but EDUCATED ME well first!
  
  And you know what... I turned out to be a pretty decent, non-violent, empathetic individual who also happens to LOVE violence and sex in video games. It's my escape from reality (well maybe just the violence part).
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Ed Schneiderman, 27 Jul 2005 @ 3:57pm

first they came for the videogames...
I hope he goes after high school football next. Talk about teaching violence!
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- thatguy, 27 Jul 2005 @ 4:01pm
  
  Re: first they came for the videogames...
  That simply won't fly. Who else are they gonna send to pointless unjustified wars if the High School QB doesn't learn violence and get prepped for military brainwashing?
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- Jesus, 27 Jul 2005 @ 4:10pm
  
  Re: first they came for the videogames...
  YOU ARE ALL GOING TO HELL BY SUBJECTING OUR CHILDREN TO HATE, SMUT, AND VIOLENT GORE IN THESE ABOMINATIONS OF RECREATIONAL PASTIMES. IN THE SECOND COMING OF ME, YES, I JESUS, I WILL WIPE YOU FROM THE EARTH, AND RAPE YOUR MIND WITH MY IDEALS pshhhh hahahahaha. yeah just kidding.
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- aleeya (profile), 27 Jul 2005 @ 9:17pm
  
  Re: first they came for the videogames...
  Hm.. and boxing, soccer, hockey.... those can get more violent that some video games.. yet they teach those in school?
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Jul 2005 @ 4:22pm

Who has a child I can exploit?
I need one NOW so I can also sue and make a quick million based off of something that makes no sense what-so-ever.

Call me:
8675309
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aleeya (profile), 27 Jul 2005 @ 9:13pm

SIMS itself had that mod..
They act like the SIMS2 nude patch is new. That is at least 3 years old and was present from the get go in the original SIMS game. If parents don't want their kids playing these games, the PARENTS need to be PARENTS and not let the kids play the game.

Stuff like this will always be out there. Why blame the video game for the lack of parenting. Are these people using video games as babysitters ? deja vu! Wasn't that the issue about tv years ago? Don't blame the video game for the lack of parenting skills - isntead maybe parents need to be parents again instead of finding something else to blame for what he/she could have prevented by spending time with the kid and actually being a parent instead of whining about the video game the kid plays.
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- Pussy, 28 Jul 2005 @ 10:22am
  
  Re: SIMS itself had that mod..
  It would be nice if we could blame parents, but I dare you to try to tell a single mother that she is doing less than a perfect job raising her children. It is political suicide to say anything disparaging - or even non-supportive - of anything any single mother does - no matter how asinine.
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  - thatguy, 28 Jul 2005 @ 10:41am
    
    Re: SIMS itself had that mod..
    That is why there are forums like this to indirectly tell the bad parents who blame media/video games that THEY are the problem in this "what about the children" issue.
    
    Blaming someone else doesn't help the issue. I don't care if you are a single parent. You made the life decision (whether it was a mistake or not) to have a child. Step up and take on your responsibility like a decent human being should.
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eeyore, 28 Jul 2005 @ 8:04am

No Subject Given
Once again let's blame the media for bad parenting. I still remember when the "South Park" movie came out how there were parents with preschool-age children in the audience when the movie started. Some left. Some didn't. The ones who didn't probably got to listen to their toddlers singing "shut your f***ing face uncle-f***er" in front of their relatives for years, or at least they deserved to. It was rated "R" for a reason.
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Joe Badermderm, 28 Jul 2005 @ 11:31am

You know what's next?
That Pokemon game is pretty "violent" too I heard. And Pikachu is walking around nude isn't he/she/it?
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- Anonymous Coward, 3 Aug 2005 @ 8:22am
  
  Re: You know what's next?
  Oh yeah, Lets Here it for a Moded Pokemon Having Sex With Pikachu...hahaha... That would be great...
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Allen, 13 Apr 2006 @ 11:48am

you all make a good point but tell me when did they change the machines name from COMPUTER to BABYSITTER?????
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Mindy, 8 Jul 2006 @ 9:53pm

Think About It
If you ask me i would say that the parents are a fault here. Heres why, most video games cds or movies that have nudity, sexual context, drugs, or violent crimes have a rateing, which would be mature or teen audiance, . And if the parents feel the need to buy thier 8 yr old these entertainment items then they are just asking for it. They try to blame the creaters whenever they catch thier 8yr old kids doing things that they should'nt be, but they are the ones who bought it for them in the first place. I personally dont think that any of these things are mind altering if only the parents would exlpain the situation. For example "Honey this is what bad people do, or this is what what grown ups do" These simple things would let your child know what is right and what is wrong. People need to start using thier heads a little!
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hello, 21 Jul 2006 @ 2:24pm

re-sponsible
as a game playing person i believe that it is up to the parents to make the desicion of what their child plays must parents don't give and damn about warnings on the boxes they just do it because their son or daughter has asked them to they even go up to the counter and buy it for them because the childen need i.d therefore these "americans" i might add complian because they didn't know that it had this and that complain that it is ruining society that violence is on the up its not because these people r very sad and r only trying to make money out of this situation. i will also add that game developers submit they own games to independant certificters and that if some one cannot read a box that has plain and simple signs then they either need to learn how to read or get some glasses!!
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hello, 21 Jul 2006 @ 2:26pm

re-sponsible
as a game playing person i believe that it is up to the parents to make the desicion of what their child plays must parents don't give and damn about warnings on the boxes they just do it because their son or daughter has asked them to they even go up to the counter and buy it for them because the childen need i.d therefore these "americans" i might add complian because they didn't know that it had this and that complain that it is ruining society that violence is on the up its not because these people r very sad and r only trying to make money out of this situation. i will also add that game developers submit they own games to independant certificters and that if some one cannot read a box that has plain and simple signs then they either need to learn how to read or get some glasses!!
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Claus Koenig, 18 Sep 2006 @ 8:29pm

I am getting really tired of this debate...
It is so hypocritical. Blowing up hundreds of people, showing blood and gore is justfied by the kids don't pick that up from a game or TV, but nudity or sex is banned to the dark secretive areas in our lifes and made a dirty and sinful obsession. If we argue that the natural homocidal instincts are allowed, then should there be the strong sense of self preservation, the much more natural instinct of sexuality. Sexuality is self preservation, but what can you say about a country whose President says that the verdict on evolution is still out. The downfall of a civilization is the denial of the natural.
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- Anonymous Coward, 22 Sep 2006 @ 11:26am
  
  Re: I am getting really tired of this debate...
  i i i agree
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Anonymous Coward, 22 Sep 2006 @ 11:25am

me like cheese
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The Shadow, 20 May 2007 @ 3:10am

WTF
I'm sorry for what I'm about to say

people that buys games for younger viewer are f***ing dumba**

as for Jack S**tbag leave our games alone
just becaue they have violance that don't mean someone
might copy the actions in the games.

Sex, violance, drugs, and other stuff like that is all around us, know this S**tbag you can't censor the world
with your crap

I have the sims 2 also GTA:SA first-edition

so what the big f***ing deal?

EA and ROCKSTAR had nothing to do with any of the nude scenes in their games the people made them

EA don't re-call or re-rated the game because an A**hole say so, he can't censor the world
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- Anonymous Coward, 27 Aug 2007 @ 9:55am
  
  Re: WTF
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Eric, 8 Jun 2007 @ 7:01pm

Oh wow, is this for real?
That was my first re-action when i read the article on gamespot a few hours ago. After reading that, this and a few other site's interpretation about it i am Finaly ready to vent.
First of all, i am 14 and i think its redicoulus(i am really sorry for spelling mistakes). The reason the world is like that is that 'conserned parents' are trying to ban 'sexual content' in america. Think about, in school what be the most sure fire way of getting kids to know about something, it was banning it. America(and Canada) is making too much a fuss. If everyone was more open about it we wouldn't be having this problem. Do we have these problems in Europe were public nudity is allowed publicly?(and not in private nudist camps either). No, they don't, I think we need to get it out there, yes, guys and girls are different, big deal. Maybe Jack should go after gr.5 teachers and gr.9 science teachers(shutters at the thought of the graphic movie in science class). Honestly, if Jack saw that same movie he would have a heart attack, seriously, it had a 'full frontal' few of birth. I know it seems like i went back on what i just said but honestly it was gross for me. Anyway, Jack, GET A LIFE!!! Or actually play the game before you accuse it.
Excuse me know while i have a silent freak out about jack.
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OMFG, 21 Sep 2007 @ 1:33pm

Just the whole kids repeat actions from games thin
The shadow is totaly right. It also has been in the news that a little boy jumped of the roof because he tought he was a flying pokémon... I AM NOT KIDDING!!!

So now do you wanna put an adult rating or something on that? If you do then GET A F*CK*N LIFE.

Before ya kill someone (I mean those young kids) you have done some serieus thinking or youre just INSANE!!
(Mostly those who do are insane.)

Did you even now that actions in a movie atract kids more to repeat those actions.(YES MORE THEN GAMES.)

And also there is a reason why there are age ratings on those games. You dont let a 6 year old play a game thats extremely violant. There is a game that has been taken from the market and now is illigal or something. (Sorry i dont now the name of it.)Wel an 8yo (I think he was 8)played it and killed his friend WEL KINDA LOGIC ISNT IT. IT WAS BY THE WAY RATED FOR ADULTS ONLY. AND ON THE TOP OF THAT THE LITTLE BOY WAS INSANE!!!

(By the way sorry for the spelling mistakes.)
(Sorry for the offensive language but I REALY HATE THESE KINDA PEOPLE!!!)
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- OMFG, 21 Sep 2007 @ 1:37pm
  
  Re: Just the whole kids repeat actions from games
  O yea and about the sims. The most of those kids dont even now how to start it. So lets not talk about mods and skins and etc...
  
  And if they do it wil turn out someday.
  And there wil be a couple of mad parents.
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me, 2 Nov 2007 @ 4:17pm

NerdZ
NERDZ no one cares!
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me, 2 Nov 2007 @ 4:18pm

NerdZ
NERDZ no one cares!
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., 15 Nov 2007 @ 9:24am

sex
KISS MY ASS IT SHOULD BE RATED XT FOR EXTRA TEEN
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Jheralyn, 13 Dec 2007 @ 8:30pm

Shakespeare said it best...
"First, we kill the lawyers." After that, we need to convince stupid people from reproducing. Next, people should have accountability for their own actions, or lack there of. And finally, we need to remind everyone in this world how to write again. I'm tired of all of these misspelled, grammatically incorrect rants.
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