The “Sims” modification involves the removal of a pixillated blur covering various characters’ genital areas.
Video game regulation advocate Jack Thompson, a Miami attorney, has suggested that the removal of the blur, which reveals that the characters have no genitals whatsoever, is “worse than” the sex depicted in the “GTA” mod, for one reason because “Sims” is rated “T” for Teens.
Furthermore, since the game is distributed for Microsoft’s XBox system and the mod hack is available on New York Times-owned website About.com, Thompson believes both companies are liable for the corruption of children who play the modified game.
"Full frontal nudity of the Sims children can be unlocked as well [as] reported on gaming sites, much to the delight of pedophiles around the globe who can rehearse, in virtual reality, for their abuse,” Thompson said. “Not surprisingly, adult porn sites are also featuring the easy-to-use code to remove the blur, catering to their consumers of adult and child pornography."
Videogame industry advocates call remarks by Thompson “ridiculous” but note that attacks on the industry are becoming more frequent and often involve third party modifications, for which game developers, they say, should have no liability.
“If [the videogame industry] is to survive with its artistic freedoms in place, then it will need to go on something of an offensive against people like Thompson,” wrote Big Pond commentator Warmonger Trout.
