ASKS FTC TO DETERMINE IF PUBLISHER INTENTIONALLY AVOIDED 'ADULT-ONLY" RATING OF POPULAR GAME

Washington, Jul 21, 2005 - "This video game includes sexually explicit material that would have earned it an 'Adult-Only' rating, which would have harmed its sales," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL). "The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) should find out if this was intentional by the game's publisher and take strong action against the publisher if deception was involved."

Stearns joined in asking the FTC Chairman, Deborah Platt Majoras, to investigate this incident. The letter sent today states, "The recent release of 'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas' was widely anticipated by consumers, but an 'Adults-Only' rating would have severely limited its sales in retail outlets. It appears that the publisher has blatantly circumvented the rules in order to peddle sexually explicit material to our youth, and they should be held accountable."

An Internet download allows users to add pornographic content to the retail version of the video. Originally, the Entertainment Software Rating Board gave the game a rating of "M" for mature. After discovering the sexually explicit material, the rating was changed to "Adult-Only." The letter further states, "We respectfully request that you investigate this matter, and if Rockstar Games is found to have intentionally deceived American consumers, we ask that severe sanctions are imposed to the greatest extent under the law. This type of profiteering from peddling smut to minors must not be tolerated."