The GTA effect recoils throughout the gaming industry. The patch that allowed gamers to unlock sex scenes in the game (or mod) has put in motion the ESRB organization.

"Most interestingly, the ESRB has announced, with the support of its Board of Directors, a request that all game publishers complete a comprehensive review of all games launched since September 1, 2004. This internal publisher-run audit is intended to determine if non-playable, pertinent content, not previously disclosed to the ESRB, remains in the final code on the discs released to the public".

"Publishers must inform the ESRB of any possible issues regarding hidden content by January 9, 2006, and the ratings board may re-rate titles if any of this content changes the potential rating for the game".

"ESRB remains concerned about third party modifications that undermine the accuracy of the original rating, and we are exploring ways to maintain the credibility of the rating system with consumers in light of modifications of this nature."

I am not sure whether it's a good thing or not to implicate such an organization in game development (we already have money hungry publishers that destroy games). Anyway, we are at a crossroad in gaming history and it seems that it will end one way or the other in the near future.