ESRB assigns "Adults Only 18+" To San Andreas News

Following the recent debates in the US about the so-called Hot Coffee modification to Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, which has seen several parties including Democrat Senator for New York Hillary Clinton express their opinion on the subject, the US ratings board ESRB has removed the gameâ??s â??Mâ?? for Mature rating and re-rated it â??AOâ?? for Adults Only 18+.

The fallout from the saga has meant that Take-Two Interactive (parent company of GTA publisher Rockstar) has amended itâ??s financial forecasts for both Q3 and end of year. The expected results for the third quarter of the fiscal year ending July 31st 2005 has been reduced from $170 million to $160 million, with the end of year results on October 31st 2005 reduced from $1.31 to $1.26 billion.

"Take-Two and Rockstar Games have always worked to keep mature-themed video game content out of the hands of children and we will continue to work closely with the ESRB and community leaders to improve and better promote a reliable rating system to help consumers make informed choices about which video games are appropriate for each individual," said Paul Eibeler, Take-Two's President and Chief Executive Officer. "The ESRB's decision to re-rate a game based on an unauthorized third party modification presents a new challenge for parents, the interactive entertainment industry and anyone who distributes or consumes digital content. Rockstar Games is pleased that the investigation is now settled and they look forward to returning their focus to making innovative and groundbreaking video games for a mature audience."

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