Changes

== Violence ==

== Violence ==

Some argue that [[Columbine High School Massacre|Columbine High School]] mass-murderers Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris were driven to violence partially because they were fans of violent video games such as ''[[Doom]]'' and ''[[Duke Nukem]]''.<ref>http://gamepolitics.livejournal.com/320331.html</ref> Others disagree, arguing that, while video game usage has been increasing in recent years<ref>http://www.betanews.com/article/Nielsen_Video_Game_Usage_Up_18/1173124761</ref>, a similar trend does not appear in violence statistics.<ref>http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/glance/tables/frmdth.htm</ref> Cho Seung Hui, the man responsible for the Virginia Tech shootings, was reported to have played games such as CounterStrike on his computer prior to the shooting, as well. No official link has been established by any investigating organization on this matter, however, and the link between violence and video games remains speculation.

Some argue that [[Columbine High School Massacre|Columbine High School]] mass-murderers Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris were driven to violence partially because they were fans of violent video games such as ''[[Doom]]'' and ''[[Duke Nukem]]''.<ref>http://gamepolitics.livejournal.com/320331.html</ref> Others disagree, arguing that, while video game usage has been increasing in recent years<ref>http://www.betanews.com/article/Nielsen_Video_Game_Usage_Up_18/1173124761</ref>, a similar trend does not appear in violence statistics.<ref>http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/glance/tables/frmdth.htm</ref> Cho Seung Hui, the man responsible for the Virginia Tech shootings, was reported to have played games such as CounterStrike on his computer prior to the shooting, as well, but this was later clarified as being that he was seen occasionally playing the game at a cyber-cafe, whilst he was in high school, and it is not known whether he played the game during the three and a hlaf years he had been at college.<ref>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/18/wapo-writer-talks-vt-shooter-counter-strike-connection-removal</ref>. No official link has been established by any investigating organization on this matter, however, and the link between violence and video games remains speculation.

== GTA: San Andreas 'Hot Coffee' ==

== GTA: San Andreas 'Hot Coffee' ==

In June of 2005, an independent gamer found a patch in the PC version of the popular 'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas' game, which depicted two of the characters having virtual sex in the game as a side-part of the gameplay. The patch, named 'Hot Coffee', soon spread throughout the internet and the console versions using 'game enhancing' tools seperate from the game.

In June of 2005, an independent modder created a hack for the PC version of the popular 'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas' game, which unlocked a normally inaccessible mini-game of two of the characters having virtual sex in the game as a side-part of the gameplay. This did not actually feature any nudity, at first, but a second mod, based on the original hack, replaced the bitmaps of the characters with flesh tones.  The patch, named 'Hot Coffee', soon spread throughout the internet and the console versions using 'game enhancing' tools seperate from the game.  

The patch soon spread through the internet, and came to the attention of critics. Those who were critical of the game soon attacked Rockstar Games [The developers] the [[Entertainment Software Ratings Board]][ESRB, responsible for rating game content] for the inclusion of the mini-game into the main game's code, even though it could not be accessed without subverting the original programming.

The patch soon spread through the internet, and came to the attention of critics. Those who were critical of the game soon attacked Rockstar Games [The developers] the [[Entertainment Software Ratings Board]][ESRB, responsible for rating game content] for the inclusion of the mini-game into the main game's code, even though it could not be accessed without subverting the original programming.