Gamertell

The recent further delay of Halo 2 for Vista is due to “an unfortunate, obscure content error which includes partial nudity.”  In the wake of Rockstar and Take Two’s “Hot Coffee” fiasco, where a sex game could be unlocked from the original code via third party modifications, game developers have been under close watch regarding hidden content.  Bethesda also suffered a re-rating from the ESRB when it was discovered that nude textures existed for all of the characters, though again third party software was necessary to access it.

Microsoft and Bungie have explained that the delay itself comes from developing a patch to completely obliterate this mysterious “partial nudity” and from creating labels to send to retailers so that consumers would be aware of this hidden content.

This fervor over naughty content that was technically “locked out” before release is maddening.  Should the effects of third party software really factor in on a game’s rating?  Wouldn’t it make more sense to include modifications and Gameshark code shifting in the same clause as “game experience may change online”?  A lot of Hot Coffee’s attention was over the fact that Take Two and Rockstar lied repeatedly about the existence of a sexual mini-game in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, but Bethesda was much more forthcoming about their content and were still dealt more than a slap on the wrists.

Luckily, Bungie caught this “obscure content error” before release.  I’m sure I’m not the only one who doesn’t want to spend another summer hearing parroted reports and exposés on how children are getting their hands on games too mature for them in the first place, thanks to childrens’ abilities to melt a parent’s heart into buying inappropriate toys and games.

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