Mass Effect 'virtual orgasmic rape' columnist apologizes
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Jan 17th 2008 at 6:15PM }
The next time some columnist wants to level criticism against a game it'd be nice if they at least play the game first, which McCullough admitted he had not done and only perused some clips of the Mass Effect sex scenes on the internet. Now that we've gotten that futile dream out of the way: Bring on the next nut job!
[Via GamePolitics]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
StarFoxA @ Jan 17th 2008 6:19PM
Hell yes!
I think we should take Jack Thompson next. He deserves a team of ninja assassins on his trail at all times. I don't see why he hasn't been assassinated yet...
colin @ Jan 17th 2008 7:25PM
he hasn't been assassinated yet because contrary to what he believes, violence in videogames doesn't equate to violence in the real world. If it did, he would have been fragged a long time ago.
Mr.ESC @ Jan 17th 2008 6:27PM
Damn straight he should be sorry,there is no rape in Mass effect you big fat liar!!
copa @ Jan 17th 2008 7:09PM
Unfortunately, he never actually apologizes for lying and making up content that doesn't exist in Mass Effect.
He only apologizes for over-estimating kid's access to M-Rated games. So that he can avoid apologizing for the fact that he made up sensationalist lies.
CJC @ Jan 17th 2008 6:28PM
Hm. Is this a "please stop harassing me" apology or is he actually manning up and admitting he did no research?
Because one of the two is worthless.
Mr.ESC @ Jan 17th 2008 6:35PM
Actually he pretty much owned himself.He lied and for that he loosed all his credibility.
dizzy @ Jan 17th 2008 6:37PM
he sort of admitted to being wrong, but not to lying, and still justifies his thoughts, saying the sex scene shouldn't be in games at all. So basically yes, it's a somewhat apologetic "leave me alone" apology.
StrangeBum @ Jan 17th 2008 11:35PM
Either way CJC, we as gamers have made some ground. At least that's how I see it. Despite having people like Mr. McCullough and Jack Johnson out there, we are a great force when united (how lame and Power Rangers does that sound, lol).
Eventually, video games will be revered the same way movies are today. It's only a matter of time, but I can see it coming. It's quickly becoming a much more artistic art form than it once was. Video games are having a renaissance and it is great.
StrangeBum @ Jan 17th 2008 11:39PM
*Jack Thompson naturally.
I'm getting tired, Jack Johnson on the other hand, has some very nice tunes to listen to. Sorry for the error
Zsavior @ Jan 17th 2008 6:32PM
Let me get this right a reporter admitted to not actually having factual evidence before writing about a subject in his paper and just gets off with an apology. I am not asking him to get sued but man, I guess if he finds the topic unimportant enough he doesn't give a damn to research it. The sad part is I am very sure the only reason he even said he was sorry is because the vast majority of game sites made him look foolish.
Grog @ Jan 17th 2008 8:12PM
Actually, it was nothing like that. He's not a reporter, just some guy who likes to write in his blog and happened to get some attention in doing so.
Zsavior @ Jan 17th 2008 8:59PM
Ahh ok I thought this man was some sort of columnist for a paper. Or news blog or site.
Xantar @ Jan 17th 2008 10:49PM
Actually, he does have a radio show and has a syndicated column that shows up in some newspapers. So he's not just a random guy on the internet writing on his blog.
Nigeria @ Jan 17th 2008 6:33PM
I would never apologise for giving the internet "virtual orgasmic rape".
Those are beautiful words.
I hope he got a commission bonus from the bumper traffic he would have received.
bAssackwards @ Jan 17th 2008 6:33PM
I'm surprised he actually apologized. Ah well, glad that little stunt is done and over with.
Avarice @ Jan 17th 2008 6:36PM
Bioware, have you been taking notes? This guy has some great ideas for downloadable content.
Mr.ESC @ Jan 17th 2008 6:41PM
If that happens Mass effect will monopolize the NPD charts for the next couple of months.
Zsavior @ Jan 17th 2008 6:37PM
Just wanted to say I signed that petition and I hope it doesn't fall on deaf ears.
Andy O. @ Jan 17th 2008 6:38PM
Why did we even give this guy the time of day? He's a nobody, I think Gabe said it best, "This guy is a nobody. This blow up with gamers is the most attention he's ever had, and is ever likely to get."
Now he's everywhere and getting headlines on popular gaming sites like Joystiq. WTG guys.
Roto13 @ Jan 17th 2008 6:39PM
His actual "apology" is pretty half-assed.
vidGuy @ Jan 17th 2008 6:49PM
I don't respect the guy enough to even visit his website, but I'll take his no-research apology as self-ownage. As for his claim that sex scenes don't belong in video games, I'd ask if he believes sex belongs in movies, music, or fine art. Video games aren't a kids-only medium and their content shouldn't be restricted to the under 18 demographic. There's more sex on cable TV than in most video games, so I don't really see it as a problem.
Prince King @ Jan 17th 2008 11:19PM
i'd bet you like sex in video games and in movies and on tv and in music and in [enter any other thing]
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Jan 18th 2008 12:10PM
Thats the trouble, vidGuy. He believes sex has no place in entertainment. You're argument would backfire.
vidGuy @ Jan 18th 2008 12:50PM
Well that's plain outrageous and I would label him a radical conservative hippy if I cared enough to research his position. I agree that gratuitous sex scenes are silly and unnecessary (though they can draw $), but sex and romance play a large part in our lives as humans and deserve to be reflected in our art and entertainment.
LiK @ Jan 17th 2008 6:54PM
pwned.
mcatrage @ Jan 17th 2008 6:56PM
So in other words "I'm sorry all you gamers got so upset and visited my site therefor giving my existence meaning and helped me keep my job. Haha suckers"
Nick the Hero of Canton @ Jan 17th 2008 7:31PM
They can take M rated games of the self when they take away R rated movies, Parental Advisory music CDs, and books of violent nature off the mainstream selves as well.
Oh, and they also would need to burn the Constitution.
AMike @ Jan 17th 2008 8:42PM
Wow, I gotta say, I never really expected this guy to come around. Cheers to the insightful and well-spoken side of the gaming community!
L'Emmerdeur @ Jan 17th 2008 8:59PM
Stop referring to this idiot as a columnist! Townhall.com is Blogspot for ugly neocons.
Michael @ Jan 17th 2008 9:13PM
That guy was a nobody. What he wrote was absolutely nothing of consequence to anyone.
Honestly, just quit giving crazy people attention.
carg0 @ Jan 17th 2008 10:02PM
who cares whether he appologized or not, he got what he wanted; attention.
this is exactly why asshole's like Jack Thompson have become household names throughout the gaming comunity. the gaming press continues to give these 'people' (i use that term lightly) an audience to gain attention from, thus allowing their misinformed, bias and in some cases politically charged views to spread. it fuels them.
some no-name loser who clearly wanted to draw attention to his 'work' makes a statement about Mass Effect (a very public success, which is why he chose it) so blatantly false and insipid, that instead of ignoring him he winds up on just about every other gaming website the next day. yea, that's intelligent...
Phillip @ Jan 17th 2008 11:52PM
"if parents and retailers are doing their jobs regarding the M-rated Mass Effect then McCullough will get his wish."
Why should they do their jobs? I thought you guys were against any kind of fines or punishment of store clerks that sold mature titles to minors. If there's no punishment, what possible reason would they have to deny themselves a profit???
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Jan 18th 2008 12:12PM
Its called industry self regulation. Their motivation is so the government doesn't step in and pwn them.
gst @ Jan 18th 2008 4:05AM
I just wish that some gamers would simply let it go at this apology. That is, accept it, even if you think he glossed over things he had said or if you think it was insincere. At the very least, I appreciate him checking his pride for a moment and writing with some caution and civility.
This is one case where it would help gamers as a whole if most of us would "be the bigger man" here and just let it go. If gamers continue to bitch and be petty about it, it will simply reinforce the stereotypes of gamers that he drew many of his original statements from.
And seriously folks, he is a chubby balding conservative internet columnist with some clear personal hang-ups about sex who writes ranty articles based on stereotypes and personal frustrations. I'm honestly surprised that he made any effort to respond to the gaming community on civil terms. He doesn't need a bunch of gamers continuing to give him shit and he really doesn't deserve it that much.
"Educate the ignorant; don't flame them" - I'm pretty sure Jesus said that... or something.
SeekTh3Truth @ Jan 18th 2008 4:24AM
How nice would it be if everyone gets their wishes.
To Kevin, Suggestive sex scenes in video games shouldn't be allowed and such games should BANNED.
To the general population, a Unethical columnist who don't bother to do proper research, and proceed to deliver the misleading & untruthful articles to the general public should FIRED.
Unprofessional.
Lucky for him, not everyone get their wishes.
SeekTh3Truth @ Jan 18th 2008 4:27AM
How nice would it be if everyone gets their wishes.
To Kevin, Suggestive sex scenes in video games shouldn't be allowed and such games should be BANNED.
To the general population, a Unethical columnist who don't bother to do proper research, and proceed to deliver the misleading & untruthful articles to the general public should be FIRED.
Unprofessional.
Lucky for him, not everyone get their wishes.
Veotax @ Jan 18th 2008 6:03AM
Mass Effect is rated M in the US? Hahahahaha!
What the hell is wrong with the ERSB? The game is rated 12 in the UK. There's nothing I can think of in the game that should give the game an M. The one sex scene is non-explicit and even the few impalements have next to no blood.
Synner @ Jan 18th 2008 2:17PM
HA HA HA HA HA HA you stupid fucker, Manhunt 2 was BANNED in the UK.
Love when you idiots come here trying to prove how much more open and enlightened your big brother society is.
Veotax @ Jan 18th 2008 3:46PM
What the hell are you talking about? I wasn't trying to prove anything. Besides, I agree that it's stupid for the BBFC to withhold a rating on Manhunt 2 after censoring it, you can't see a thing.
I seriously want to know how any one could think Mass Effect was inappropriate for any one under the age of 17.