aTypical Joe: a gay New Yorker living in the rural South

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

I’m hot. You’re hot. Let’s make out.

Rockstar games, creator of “Grand Theft Auto,” has a new game title, “Bully.” Reuters Friday:

“Bully" stars 15-year-old Jimmy Hopkins, who must navigate cliques, fights and young love at his new boarding school, along the way winning brawls, completing missions and plying girls with candy and flowers in exchange for kisses.

But Jimmy can also use the same approach with boys. When Jimmy approaches a tall, blond boy with some flowers, the boy replies: “I’m hot. You’re hot. Let’s make out.”

Alexander Sliwinski at Joystiq has more:

Depending on where you live on the planet Earth, you’re sure to get various versions of spin on the story. So, it’s a good time to go over some developments, and clear up some issues, since our initial piece:

• Joystiq has been in contact with Eliot Mizrachi, spokesperson for the ESRB, and he reaffirms that they were aware of the kissing when they gave a “T” (Teen) rating to Bully. The rating description clearly states “sexual themes” on the box.
  


• Bully is not the first title to have playable same-sex interaction. The Sims, which also has a “T” rating stating “sexual themes” on the box, allows for a lot more than just kissing. There is even same-sex adoption.
  


• Brathwaite said to Reuters, “It’s symbolic that the diversity that’s appearing in broader media is making its way to games in a way that’s not insulting or necessarily sensationalistic.”
  


• Everyone’s favorite anti-games lawyer Jack Thompson, sent a letter to ESRB President, Patricia Vance, “We just found gay sexual content in Bully, as Jimmy Hopkins makes out with another male student. Good luck with your ‘Teen’ rating now, Patty.” Let’s get something straight right off the bat—Thompson found nothing. His letter wasn’t sent until after Joystiq wrote about GayGamer’s video, and we know Thompson reads this site. Thompson was already in possession of Bully, which he requested as part of his political Miami lawsuit to block Bully. Thompson had his chance to make the kissing part of his lawsuit.
  


• The blond student consistently showed is not the only boy Jimmy Hopkins can kiss. Apparently one boy from each clique is kissable. There is an African-American geek who can be kissed. So, not only is there gay kissing, but interracial gay kissing as well. (Please sense the sarcasm in that bullet point)

Video here.