5. Suited And Booted

The sex scene locked away in San Andreas’ code has been discovered and the politicians in America urgently want to know how it got there.

The agency that oversees age ratings on America’s games says its system has been undermined. And that carries huge consequences for Rockstar Games.

The code is fixed, at huge expense, as its makers support the ratings agency’s decision. But a bigger problem is to come.

America’s Federal Trade Commission is investigating and they also want to know how the scene made it to the disc.

In the end, the FTC decide that there was no deliberate deception. But it was a bruising episode for the games maker.

Undeterred, Rockstar set about with a comeback that would reaffirm their role as gaming’s sharpest cultural commentators – GTA IV – a gritty, and dark tour de force of storytelling and action.

WARNING: This podcast contains descriptions of violence and sexual themes.

This podcast was first published in November 2022, and has been edited and updated in October 2026.

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CREDITS:

Written by Ciaran Tracey and Chris Warburton Presenter: Bugzy Malone Presenter: Chris Warburton Mixing and Mastering: James Bradshaw Assistant Producer: Gabrielle Gatti Additional journalism by Jo Newsholme, Helen Ledwick and Laura Conder

Executive Commissioners for BBC: Richard Maddock and Dylan Haskins Assistant Commissioner: Natalie Mace

The Executive Producer is Ciaran Tracey for Big City Nights.