Gay Kissing in the USA: Latest on the Bully ‘Weak Tea’ Scandal
Mainstream media picks up on boy-on-boy action
You probably remember that a couple of weeks back when reviews of Rockstar’s Canis Canem Edit/Bully finally started to trickle out, that many picked up on the fact that the game featured some gay kissing.
Well, it seems that it’s taken a few weeks for the more conservative elements amongst America’s mainstream media to pick up on this ‘weak tea’ scandal, with a Reuters-penned feature currently doing the rounds.
“The video game maker that sparked uproar over a hidden sex scene in ‘Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas’ is courting new controversy with its latest schoolyard title "Bully" -- featuring boys kissing”, begins the piece, which was picked up by The Washington Post, among others, over the weekend.
Most gamers raised an eyebrow and chuckled and then got on with the business of playing the other 99.99% of this classic game that didn’t involve having to kiss other boys. Reuters, however, is attempting to cook up more of a scandal from the gay kissing content – drawing links with last year’s Hot Coffee GTA scandal. It states that, “In ‘Bully’ the controversial scene was not hidden -- but it also was not advertised to consumers.”
SPOnG has put in calls this morning to Rockstar and we will update you with their take on the issue as soon as we get word.
In related, all-too-predictable news, Jack Thompson has also jumped on the gay content issue, firing off another lengthy missive to Take Two’s Paul Eibeler (cc’ing retailers Wal-Mart, Gamestop and Target), claiming, “It is my legal opinion that the sale of this game to minors, which is presently occurring at your stores in Florida, violates Florida’s “Sexual Material Harmful to Minors Statute,” Florida Statute 847.102.”
Here, for your delight and delectation, is Thompson’s letter in full:
Kissing is, of course, a bad thing as it can lead to talking and then, horrifyingly, listening. SPOnG understands that being gay and kissing has never occurred in any schools ever (especially not private schools) anywhere in the world.
It is obvious that by including such hard-core snogging in a game, people who would otherwise not kiss nor become even mildly gay will be now be rushing out from behind the bike-sheds where they currently inject methamphetamine to indulge in same-sex tongue-wrestling. When will this stop!
Well, it seems that it’s taken a few weeks for the more conservative elements amongst America’s mainstream media to pick up on this ‘weak tea’ scandal, with a Reuters-penned feature currently doing the rounds.
“The video game maker that sparked uproar over a hidden sex scene in ‘Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas’ is courting new controversy with its latest schoolyard title "Bully" -- featuring boys kissing”, begins the piece, which was picked up by The Washington Post, among others, over the weekend.
Most gamers raised an eyebrow and chuckled and then got on with the business of playing the other 99.99% of this classic game that didn’t involve having to kiss other boys. Reuters, however, is attempting to cook up more of a scandal from the gay kissing content – drawing links with last year’s Hot Coffee GTA scandal. It states that, “In ‘Bully’ the controversial scene was not hidden -- but it also was not advertised to consumers.”
SPOnG has put in calls this morning to Rockstar and we will update you with their take on the issue as soon as we get word.
In related, all-too-predictable news, Jack Thompson has also jumped on the gay content issue, firing off another lengthy missive to Take Two’s Paul Eibeler (cc’ing retailers Wal-Mart, Gamestop and Target), claiming, “It is my legal opinion that the sale of this game to minors, which is presently occurring at your stores in Florida, violates Florida’s “Sexual Material Harmful to Minors Statute,” Florida Statute 847.102.”
Here, for your delight and delectation, is Thompson’s letter in full:
October 29, 2006
Paul Eibeler, CEO
Entire Board of Directors
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
622 Broadway
New York, New York 10012
C/o Blank Rome Law Firm
R. Richard Fontaine
Chairman of the Board, CEO
GameStop
Grapevine, Texas C/o Blank Rome Law Firm
S. Robson Walton
Chairman
Wal-Mart
Bentonville, Arkansas C/o Berger Singerman Law Firm
Robert Ulrich,
Chief Executive Officer
Target
Minneapolis, Minnesota Via Fax
Brad Anderson, CEO
Best Buy Company, Inc.
C/o Elliot S. Kaplan
Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota Via Fax
Re: Gay Sex in Bully Video Game; Retail Sale of Sexual Material Harmful to Minors
Gentlemen:
It turns out that the school violence simulation game Bully also contains homosexual activity between the game’s hero, Jimmy Hopkins, and other male students.
It is my legal opinion that the sale of this game to minors, which is presently occurring at your stores in Florida, violates Florida’s “Sexual Material Harmful to Minors Statute,” Florida Statute 847.102. Each such sale to a minor constitutes a separate felony. Such sales are occurring to children of all ages because of the game’s wholly inappropriate “Teen” rating, as opposed to the “Mature” rating it deserves. A recent Reuters story indicates that parental concern about this is growing, as reportage of this new video game industry scandal is making headlines today around the world.
I already have pending a Florida lawsuit to stop the sale of Bully to minors, and now that we know that it contains not only high levels of unpunished violence but also homosexual acts the lawsuit will be amended to proceed against it and some of you who are defendants therein on these dual grounds.
I suggest strongly that all of you cease and desist all such sales in the United States immediately. Neither the game’s maker, Take-Two, nor the Entertainment Software Rating Board, told you of this homosexual content, which constitutes a fraudulent and deceptive trade practice, in my opinion, on their parts, and I have alerted the Federal Trade Commission to this.
However, now each of you knows, and from now on, from this minute forward, you are all on the hook.
Regards, Jack Thompson
Paul Eibeler, CEO
Entire Board of Directors
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
622 Broadway
New York, New York 10012
C/o Blank Rome Law Firm
R. Richard Fontaine
Chairman of the Board, CEO
GameStop
Grapevine, Texas C/o Blank Rome Law Firm
S. Robson Walton
Chairman
Wal-Mart
Bentonville, Arkansas C/o Berger Singerman Law Firm
Robert Ulrich,
Chief Executive Officer
Target
Minneapolis, Minnesota Via Fax
Brad Anderson, CEO
Best Buy Company, Inc.
C/o Elliot S. Kaplan
Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota Via Fax
Re: Gay Sex in Bully Video Game; Retail Sale of Sexual Material Harmful to Minors
Gentlemen:
It turns out that the school violence simulation game Bully also contains homosexual activity between the game’s hero, Jimmy Hopkins, and other male students.
It is my legal opinion that the sale of this game to minors, which is presently occurring at your stores in Florida, violates Florida’s “Sexual Material Harmful to Minors Statute,” Florida Statute 847.102. Each such sale to a minor constitutes a separate felony. Such sales are occurring to children of all ages because of the game’s wholly inappropriate “Teen” rating, as opposed to the “Mature” rating it deserves. A recent Reuters story indicates that parental concern about this is growing, as reportage of this new video game industry scandal is making headlines today around the world.
I already have pending a Florida lawsuit to stop the sale of Bully to minors, and now that we know that it contains not only high levels of unpunished violence but also homosexual acts the lawsuit will be amended to proceed against it and some of you who are defendants therein on these dual grounds.
I suggest strongly that all of you cease and desist all such sales in the United States immediately. Neither the game’s maker, Take-Two, nor the Entertainment Software Rating Board, told you of this homosexual content, which constitutes a fraudulent and deceptive trade practice, in my opinion, on their parts, and I have alerted the Federal Trade Commission to this.
However, now each of you knows, and from now on, from this minute forward, you are all on the hook.
Regards, Jack Thompson
Kissing is, of course, a bad thing as it can lead to talking and then, horrifyingly, listening. SPOnG understands that being gay and kissing has never occurred in any schools ever (especially not private schools) anywhere in the world.
It is obvious that by including such hard-core snogging in a game, people who would otherwise not kiss nor become even mildly gay will be now be rushing out from behind the bike-sheds where they currently inject methamphetamine to indulge in same-sex tongue-wrestling. When will this stop!
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Comments
Dreadknux 30 Oct 2006 14:13
1/9
'God' Bless America.
Joji 30 Oct 2006 14:21
2/9
The war mongers of the world will always look for a fire where there is none. I don't think Rockstar have anything to worry about here. The same way that the judge in court said CCE has less violence than seen on tv, the same could easily be said about CCE over any homosexual kissing in the game. Soaps on tv have worse or questionably stronger content.
I think the representation of such things in games is healthy for a growing industry, kind of in the same way that many FF or japanese rpg charcaters are androgenous in design, to appeal to more people. More recently Enchanted Arms on 360 features two characters that are homosexual (as mentioned in Spong's EA preview), and while that may not please everyone, its a sign of the games industry accepting such people exist, and indeed some are gamers too.
Jack Thompson may not like it since he'd rather drown out such content with his bs, but Rockstar should be applauded for doing what the film and music industries have already done for ages now.
I think the representation of such things in games is healthy for a growing industry, kind of in the same way that many FF or japanese rpg charcaters are androgenous in design, to appeal to more people. More recently Enchanted Arms on 360 features two characters that are homosexual (as mentioned in Spong's EA preview), and while that may not please everyone, its a sign of the games industry accepting such people exist, and indeed some are gamers too.
Jack Thompson may not like it since he'd rather drown out such content with his bs, but Rockstar should be applauded for doing what the film and music industries have already done for ages now.
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RiseFromYourGrave 30 Oct 2006 16:24
3/9
jt's right! we cant let children know that homosexuality exists and is really quite an unremarkable area of the human condition!
that may inspire a generation of tolerant pinko deviants!
hes a caustic, ego-tripping little nazi and i wish he'd just die
that may inspire a generation of tolerant pinko deviants!
hes a caustic, ego-tripping little nazi and i wish he'd just die
PreciousRoi 30 Oct 2006 20:52
4/9
dunno if bringing up the influence of Japaneese morality on the video game industry is the way I'd go...those guys are seriously warped...I'm cool with that, but your average soccer mom might not understand the inherent beauty of a good tentacle...or appreciate the "no pubes, no foul" rule...
But seriously, did't Fable do all this and more? Or does that get a free pass because its all fantastical and suchlike? Still, perhaps including this "feature" in the game was a tactical error on R*'s part, viewed in hindsight. Jerk was on the ropes, looking quite foolish, even to some of his core constiuency, and now hes got another issue he can harp on. Does the inclusion of kissing guys really further the story or gameplay? Or was it just included to be edgy...perhaps one of the developers experimented a bit and was feeling narcissistic.
But seriously, did't Fable do all this and more? Or does that get a free pass because its all fantastical and suchlike? Still, perhaps including this "feature" in the game was a tactical error on R*'s part, viewed in hindsight. Jerk was on the ropes, looking quite foolish, even to some of his core constiuency, and now hes got another issue he can harp on. Does the inclusion of kissing guys really further the story or gameplay? Or was it just included to be edgy...perhaps one of the developers experimented a bit and was feeling narcissistic.
RiseFromYourGrave 30 Oct 2006 21:47
5/9
there a lots of things in games and im sure this one that dont necessarily further the game at all, but there are a lot of gays in this world and giving them (and everyone else) within the game the option to get off with blokes whilst we can choose to get off with girls or adding gay characters to games where there are already an abundance of straight characters is in my eyes a good thing. wether it furthers the gameplay for me or not.
and if they were put in there for the sake of being edgy, i still think its a good thing, just for a different reason to the devs
im sure we all hope there will be no divisive abnormality attached to things like sexuality in our society, and every little helps
anyway, reasons aside if it pisses jt off it surely by relation its a good thing seeing as he wants to take a s**t on santa's head and cancel christmas?
and if they were put in there for the sake of being edgy, i still think its a good thing, just for a different reason to the devs
im sure we all hope there will be no divisive abnormality attached to things like sexuality in our society, and every little helps
anyway, reasons aside if it pisses jt off it surely by relation its a good thing seeing as he wants to take a s**t on santa's head and cancel christmas?
Ditto 30 Oct 2006 23:14
6/9
Wow. This has really pissed me off.
So, kissing is wrong and "sexual material harmful to minors". Good, now that we've got that sorted we can get rid of every US TV program aimed at minors that includes kissing. That includes, I'd imagine, a good percentage of TV programs and cartoons.
And since when has kissing constituted "gay sex"?
Wow. School violence game where you stop people getting bullied also features the possibility of guys kissing.
Does anyone really care in this day and age?
I love the fact that anything gay is harmful to minors. I'm sure minors know that gay people exist.
Children who are old enough to know about these things.
Yes, because gay people are evil. Everyone knows that.
B******s, b******s, b******s
I'm betting the next Jack proposal will be tagging gay people.
The ESRB rated it and probably saw this - end of story with the ratings.
Finally!
Believe me, Mr Thompson, your letter is going to anger a lot of people.
What an idiot.
Re: Gay Sex in Bully Video Game; Retail Sale of Sexual Material Harmful to Minors
So, kissing is wrong and "sexual material harmful to minors". Good, now that we've got that sorted we can get rid of every US TV program aimed at minors that includes kissing. That includes, I'd imagine, a good percentage of TV programs and cartoons.
And since when has kissing constituted "gay sex"?
It turns out that the school violence simulation game Bully also contains homosexual activity between the game’s hero, Jimmy Hopkins, and other male students.
Wow. School violence game where you stop people getting bullied also features the possibility of guys kissing.
Does anyone really care in this day and age?
“Sexual Material Harmful to Minors Statute,” Florida Statute 847.102.
I love the fact that anything gay is harmful to minors. I'm sure minors know that gay people exist.
Such sales are occurring to children of all ages because of the game’s wholly inappropriate “Teen” rating, as opposed to the “Mature” rating it deserves.
Children who are old enough to know about these things.
A recent Reuters story indicates that parental concern about this is growing
Yes, because gay people are evil. Everyone knows that.
contains not only high levels of unpunished violence but also homosexual acts
B******s, b******s, b******s
Neither the game’s maker, Take-Two, nor the Entertainment Software Rating Board, told you of this homosexual content, which constitutes a fraudulent and deceptive trade practice
I'm betting the next Jack proposal will be tagging gay people.
The ESRB rated it and probably saw this - end of story with the ratings.
in my opinion
Finally!
However, now each of you knows, and from now on, from this minute forward, you are all on the hook.
Believe me, Mr Thompson, your letter is going to anger a lot of people.
What an idiot.
RiseFromYourGrave 31 Oct 2006 02:21
7/9
i bet this c**t got the shemales taken out of the western versions of final fight lol
he's a religous man isnt he? he's probably of the persuasion that queers can be turned straight and that its some kind of disease or mental illness
therefore gayness in a videogame is like selling bum drugs to toddlers
its not going to make anyone gay. more homosexual presence in media/the world will help people who are already gay come out or maybe even realise it in the first place, and thats all, and thats a good thing. more happy people
he's a religous man isnt he? he's probably of the persuasion that queers can be turned straight and that its some kind of disease or mental illness
therefore gayness in a videogame is like selling bum drugs to toddlers
its not going to make anyone gay. more homosexual presence in media/the world will help people who are already gay come out or maybe even realise it in the first place, and thats all, and thats a good thing. more happy people
Zazigglebub 31 Oct 2006 14:14
8/9
RiseFromYourGrave wrote:
i bet this c**t got the
its not going to make anyone gay. more homosexual presence in media/the world will help people who are already gay come out or maybe even realise it in the first place, and thats all, and thats a good thing. more happy people
its not going to make anyone gay. more homosexual presence in media/the world will help people who are already gay come out or maybe even realise it in the first place, and thats all, and thats a good thing. more happy people
surely jack cant featr that people might find an inner gayness in themselves? why would he fear that?
RiseFromYourGrave 31 Oct 2006 17:24
9/9
because its unholy, hes a religous nut isnt he. and a bit gay.
in america they have these genetically modified christians right, and they believe in something called the rapture and the end of days and crap like that, hardcore stuff, and they follow whatever bible b******s they follow to the letter. doing some hardcore stuff along the way like killing doctors who perform abortions, and starting the christian equivalent of terrorist schools.
and gays are evil scum, mmkay
'man shall not lie with man' or whatever
in america they have these genetically modified christians right, and they believe in something called the rapture and the end of days and crap like that, hardcore stuff, and they follow whatever bible b******s they follow to the letter. doing some hardcore stuff along the way like killing doctors who perform abortions, and starting the christian equivalent of terrorist schools.
and gays are evil scum, mmkay
'man shall not lie with man' or whatever