GTA 5 News: Players Can Get High, Drunk in Game According to ESRB

Grand Theft Auto 5 has gone through the process of getting rated by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), and unsurprisingly the game has received a Mature rating. The group has released an extensive list of illegal and illicit activities found in the game, which includes smoking marijuana, drinking in excess, and picking up prostitutes in classic Grand Theft Auto fashion.

The press release includes descriptions of the various sexual activities in the game that are either discussed by characters or actually acted out in the game by the player:

"The game includes depictions of sexual material/activity: implied fellatio and masturbation; various sex acts that the player's character procures from a prostitute--while no nudity is depicted in these sequences, various sexual moaning sounds can be heard. Nudity is present, however, primarily in two settings: a topless lap dance in a strip club and a location that includes male cult members with exposed genitalia in a non-sexual context...Within the game, TV programs and radio ads contain instances of mature humor: myriad sex jokes; depictions of raw sewage and feces on a worker's body; a brief instance of necrophilia (no nudity is depicted)."

In addition, the game will also allow players to smoke weed and get high within the game, according to the ESRB, as well as consuming enough alcohol to cause the character to drive drunk:

"Some sequences within the larger game allow players to use narcotics (e.g., smoking from a bong, lighting a marijuana joint); cocaine use is also depicted...players' character can, at various times, consume alcohol and drive while under the influence...the words "f**k," "c*nt," and "n**ger" can be heard in the dialogue."

Some descriptions of the violence in the game are revealed, and the game will allow users to paints the streets of Los Santos red with blood if they choose, even going so far as to occasionally dismember victims. It appears that players will also be involved with torture as well:

"In one sequence, players are directed to use various instruments and means to extract information from a character; the sequence is intense and prolonged, and it involves some player interaction (i.e., responding to on-screen prompts)."

While it was expected that Grand Theft Auto 5 would be vulgar, it is interesting to read what exactly to expect from the game in terms of drug use and violence. Look out for Grand Theft Auto 5 on Sept. 17.