Hot Coffee Lawsuit finally resolved

PC News | Were you offended? Well then, have some money.

Way back in 2005, Take-Two along with Rockstar got in some trouble when third party modification of the PC version of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas allowed some gamers to get more than they bargained for. Finally, the 'Hot Coffee' incident can be put to rest, as Take-Two has stated that it's settled, according to IGN.

The settlement states that Take-Two will provide consumers of the product with a replacement disc where the scene will have been removed, or a direct refund of $35USD, as long as:

they bought a copy of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas before July 20, 2005
they were offended and upset by the ability of consumers to modify and alter the game's content using the third-party Hot Coffee modification
they would not have bought the game had they known that consumers could modify and alter the game's content using the third-party Hot Coffee modification
would have returned the game, upon learning the game could be modified and altered, if they thought this possible

"If the case had continued, we believe the court would have agreed that Take-Two was not liable for consumers acting independently to modify their games with third-party hardware and software to access normally inaccessible content," said Ben Feder, CEO of Take-Two. "Nonetheless, we believe it is in the best interest of the Company to avoid protracted and costly litigation to prove our case and to finally put this matter behind us."

The company set aside funds for this some time ago, and Take-Two is prepared to spend at least $1.025 million to make sure its customers are kept happy. So, if you were offended, you can now finally seek your redemption.

Related Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Content

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Review
25 Jul, 2005 PALGN takes its third - and arguably best - trip to San Andreas.

Rockstar denies blame for sex in San Andreas
12 Jul, 2005 Developer in hot water over Hot Coffee.

GTA: San Andreas headed for Xbox Originals
17 Oct, 2008 Back to the hood.

15 Comments

bradc1988

4 years ago

I would be very disappointed with anyone who tries to cash in on this.

What a joke.

Karai Pantsu

4 years ago

Luke Mitchell wrote

More than they bargained for?! There is almost no conceivable way that people could have experienced that mod/hack on their own game without knowing full well what they were getting into (unless they pirated the game, in which case they can GTFO) seeing as how it was a mod/hack that had to be sought out and installed manually!

The whole thing really gives me the ****. I could go out, buy a crossword book, and then fill all the blank spaces with obscenities - would I then be able to sue the publishers for exposing me to such mental anguish at the hands of said naughty words? Hell no I wouldn't, so why can people get in on this case? Before you answer, 'Becaues people don't understand games/computers' does not cut it!

Can somewhere explain to me where I'm going wrong, or is this whole thing just blow-for-blow as ridiculous as it seems?

The Truth

4 years ago

It's just blow-for-blow as ridiculous as it seems I'm afraid. People need their scapegoats, and sadly it's videogames that are currently in the spotlight.

unlachs

4 years ago

indeed...a huge waste of time and money that kind of isn't really funny anymore...just shameful

ugh the boot

4 years ago

Yea I agree with Karai, this lawsuit was a joke. Rockstar/Take Two should not have had to go through this because it was an illegal mod and there is honestly no way anyone could've gotten their hands on such a version of the game without an external party coding it and compiling it first. It's amazing the amount of work it must've taken yet they can blame Rockstar/Take Two for it?

I honestly believe humans are getting dumber and dumber as time goes on. Hey has anyone seen Idiocracy? Yea....that's us...not 20 years or 50 years....that's us now!

TheAnswer

4 years ago

ugh the boot wrote

I honestly believe humans are getting dumber and dumber as time goes on. Hey has anyone seen Idiocracy? Yea....that's us...not 20 years or 50 years....that's us now!

Ive seen the movie and I agree with you...

As for this lawsuit, it's just a load of bs... Now Jack Thompson will try to claim he has won here...

ugh the boot

4 years ago

We need action.....like the kind in V for Vendetta. It's funny cuz when I speak to individuals everyone is quite smart/clued in nowadays. Maybe we're just heaps lazy and we can't be bothered taking action (i think I would slot in nicely with that).

I don't think we'll be hearing much more from Jack Thompson cuz I think he was asked not to harass Rockstar/Take Two anymore. Anyways I hope we don't...

Karai Pantsu

4 years ago

TheAnswer wrote

As for this lawsuit, it's just a load of bs... Now Jack Thompson will try to claim he has won here...

All this lawsuit shows is that people will always be greedy, money-grubbing fiends - not that Take2 are in the wrong. Not that it makes a difference, it isn't like Thompson and his ilk make their living(s) off fact and honesty.

*seethe*

admeister

4 years ago

You guys are right, and the only thing that Take2/Rockstar did wrong was leaving the actual content in the final game. However, as you guys have said, it takes an intentional hacking/modding to even access said content, so if people were offended, it was their own fault, Take2/Rockstar clearly didn't intend for anyone to see it and as such it is not normally accessible. I'll be interested to hear how many people actually take advantage of this offer (which they shouldn't even have to be doing in the first place). Hearing that they're willing to spend at least 1 million is rather worrying..

Gizmocreative

4 years ago

plus lets not forget the age old fact that the game is Grand Theft auto and engaging in sex consentually is legal as opposed to shooting, running over and stabbing people, stealing cars, graffiti etc are not legal in everyday contexts.

Its funny how all that subject matter is condoned compared to an actual natural act performed by adults. Its a topsy turvey world.

Skiller

4 years ago

Man I'll laugh when some idiot goes to claim it and gets slapped with a counter suit for illegally modifying the game.

ShadowOnline

4 years ago

Actually, although I have no problem with the content, I think Take 2 are 100% responsible! How can you say otherwise, if they didn't put the content in there (and leave it in) in the first place, no-one would be able to unlock it... simple. It's not like someone created the content via a mod, it was unlocked via a mod, that's a big difference!

And I'll say again, I personally have no problem with the content being in there (I'm just saying Take 2 is responsible for it), and really, compensation to the end user does seem extreme, considering the nature of the game to begin with, but I also think a claim will never be made anyway, maybe by a handful at most. It's just there to shut certain people up, or try to shut them up anyway.

Take 2 should have just left the feature in place instead of hiding it, they may as well have.

El Taco

4 years ago

People got offended by an illegal partial sex minigame mod, in a game which involves swearing, drugs, hookers, killing,murdering etc.

Parent's shouldn't be offended because the above thing. Parents also need more control over what their kids play.

Lord Haart

4 years ago

gizmocreative wrote

Completely agree. While I have spoken against in-game violence before (specifically games like manhunt, rather than more traditional romps like AC or CoD), I think it's ridiculous that something normal like sex is offensive while murder is not.

It seems that there really are shmucks out there who think normal interaction on a consentual basis with others is sinful, while touting a gun and killing people who you don't feel like dealing with is ok.

Topsy Turvy indeed, if not outright backward.

ShadowOnline

4 years ago

Ah, I see I'm not the only SQ fan!

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