EGM interviews Hot Coffee modder after cooling
Wildenborg is still proud of discovering the Hot Coffee code due to the research it took, but believes if it wasn't him, it would have been found by somebody else who knew what they were doing. He also doesn't blame Rockstar for its initial reaction of blaming modders for creating the code the company had actually left in the game, but thinks the company should have handled the situation differently from the start. Wildenborg is getting ready to explore the code of GTA IV when it releases, but doubts he'll find something like Hot Coffee again.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dan Davis @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:10PM
Based on the money they lost on this due to having to pull and re-release the game, not to mention the on-going class action lawsuit, I would say that they have learned their lesson. It's a shame too, seeing as how the game was rated M to begin with. I think 17 year olds have probably seen a lot worse on MTV than the simulated sex in this game.
Batzarro @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:13PM
"his life he hasn't seen any long-term benefits from the situation."
Until VH1 makes "Mod of Love"...
Roto13 @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:16PM
I'm still convinced the code was left in as an intentional publicity stunt from Rockstar that ended up backfiring.
FidliousWong (Oatmeal Defense Force) @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:36PM
You would think so but often, when coding and creating a game, it's much easier and time productive to remove code that links content rather than completely remove the content. Turst me on this, anytime I have to remove things from a database, I literally have to make a list of assets to pull and it can be well over 400 items. I can only imagine how much it would be in a game as large as GTA.
waynski1457 @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:33PM
you would almost think that rockstar would have strung him up by his balls after that whole fiasco. i guess it speaks more for them that they didnt tho...
Fandel @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:47PM
Rockstar didn't go after him because they had no legal case. All he did was change a couple bits of data in the GTA: SA save file to unlock what was already on the disk.
They couldn't even use the DMCA because 1) he didn't circumvent any copy-protection; 2) he lives in the Netherlands.
Believe me, if Rockstar/Take-Two would have had any legal recourse against this guy, they would have taken it. Remember, this is the same company who sued a children's charity organization for using the name "rawkstars." They also sued a college artist for making a video criticizing their games because it has a 1 second looping clip of The Warriors.
Rockstar and Take Two only care about the "1st amendment" and "freedom of speech" when it directly affects their bottom-line.
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:51PM
Roll on brother! We have to uncover the truth against the Man!
Chris @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:55PM
Maybe I'm just weird, but I've had the game on pc for 2 years and never downloaded the Hot Coffee mod. Not really all that interested.
Nigeria: the graphics have amazing gameplay @ Mar 3rd 2008 1:01PM
38?
I would have assumed a bored teenager would have discovered this.
Justin B @ Mar 3rd 2008 1:21PM
Bored script kiddies do not a programmer make.
Spirit @ Mar 3rd 2008 1:19PM
One thing... I was reading the class action lawsuit thing on the side of the newspaper...
"were you offended/hurt/damaged (whatever it said) by the San Andreas Hot Coffee mod?" Your average consumer doesn't usually mod games like this (especially for the XBOX version). Reminds me of the lesser fiasco that was Oblivion.
hvnlysoldr @ Mar 3rd 2008 2:16PM
I can't stand coffee. It's disgusting. Especially with all that milk pouring all over the place. And everything getting sticky and hot and sweaty.
I mean I don't like coffee and tea or any hot drink since it burns my tongue and the caffeine makes me almost want to throw up.
Trickob @ Mar 4th 2008 12:28AM
whoa, is it 2005 again??