Grand Theft Auto Sex Worker Controversy

Sex Controversy (again)

SWOP-USA released a short statement calling out to parents around the world to support their cause. The group is normally against all forms of censorship, but for Grand Theft Auto, they're making an exception. According to the organization (who cites a 2001 research document from the National Institute on Media and the Family), the extreme violence in the game is posing a danger to children.

Lewd Content

As previous controversies have clarified, there are no explicit scenes of sexual content in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. The uncovered Hot Coffee mod features implied sexual contact, though this is only accessible through alternative means, not through playing the game as normal.

Prostitutes walk the sidewalks alongside many other citizens of the city. Players may drive alongside them slowly to entice them to get in the car. The car begins to rock, players lose money and regain some health. No nudity or actual sex is displayed, only the implication of the acts. And as with any other non-player character in Grand Theft Auto, the prostitutes may be killed. There are no instances of rape, although the story in GTA alludes to one.

Grand Theft Uh-Oh

Will the controversy over Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas ever end? Does it hurt or help the game's sales? Will a boycott this far into the life of the video game have any impact whatsoever? Only time will tell. Rockstar is at work on other Grand Theft Auto games, and the recently released Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories for the PSP is a best-seller. The series shows no sign of slowing down.