Mass Effect 'virtual orgasmic rape' columnist apologizes

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...

Damn straight he should be sorry,there is no rape in Mass effect you big fat liar!!

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.

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.

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.

I'm surprised he actually apologized. Ah well, glad that little stunt is done and over with.

Bioware, have you been taking notes? This guy has some great ideas for downloadable content.

Just wanted to say I signed that petition and I hope it doesn't fall on deaf ears.

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.

His actual "apology" is pretty half-assed.

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.

pwned.

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"

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.

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!

Stop referring to this idiot as a columnist! Townhall.com is Blogspot for ugly neocons.

That guy was a nobody. What he wrote was absolutely nothing of consequence to anyone.

Honestly, just quit giving crazy people attention.

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...

"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???

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.

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.

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.

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.