Grand Theft Auto 4 should be rated X

The last installment in the hugely popular "Grand Theft Auto" video-game series needed a re-release because of an "accidental" piece of code inserted into the game. That code allowed players to have some pretty graphic sexual encounters with digital female characters.

The game was quickly slapped with an Adults Only rating, prompting Rockstar Games to take the code out and release the game again with a more consumer-friendly Mature rating.

Tuesday, "Grand Theft Auto IV" debuts in stores, and it needs an Adults Only rating, too.

I wrote a column in Monday's editions over the controversy this game is sure to cause.

That was before I saw some of the detailed clips that began hitting various game sites Monday -- all with an age verification screen warning beforehand.

The new game, among other things, allows players to choose one of three prostitutes for various forms of sex in a car. It graphically displays simulated group sex in a strip club. The images are about in line with something you might see after midnight on certain movie channels.

The question is: Why is this in a video game?

I haven't played "GTA IV" yet, but I was simply shocked by the clips I saw. It's as if Rockstar Games is sticking its finger up at the establishment that wants this game shut down. Violence, as usual, is plentiful, too. The game is obviously marketed towards adults and I hope retailers only sell it to those over 18.

I realize controversy helps make games sales, but I think the company has stepped over the line with this one.

Read Langston's review of the game by clicking here