FTC KOs GTA Re: 'M' v. 'AO'

A self-righteous FTC press release out today is touting the fact that "companies behind the popular Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas video game have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they failed to disclose important information about the game’s content to consumers."

The so-called "important information" is what the FTC calls a "potentially playable sex mini-game" built into GTA. The FTC's criticism is really a prize-worthy example of niggling, burdensome technocracy, in that the game was originally rated

“M” for Mature, with the accompanying content descriptors of Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, and Use of Drugs. According to the ESRB, video games rated “M” contain content that may be appropriate for those aged 17 and older. The rating information, including the rating symbol and content descriptors, appeared in print, television, and retailer ads for the game, and on game packaging for all three versions, including the claims “MATURE 17+” and “CONTENT RATED BY ESRB.”

The ESRB re-rated San Andreas as AO (“Adults Only”). Games rated AO, according to the ESRB, have content that should only be played by persons 18 and older. As a result of the re-rating, many national retailers pulled the game from their shelves.

The M rating was too soft, according to the FTC, even though it contained a warning that the product contained "Strong Sexual Content" and was only "appropriate for those aged 17 and older." The new, stiffer (so to speak) rating, AO, connotes games that "should only be played by persons 18 and older."

So, to recap: 17 bad. Product pulled. 18 good. Company fined. Freedom reigns.

For institutional-memory purposes, I first wrote about this fiasco here last year.

[Thanks to Skip Oliva for the tip.]