2005 saw one of gaming's more controversial events as hacked code from GTA: San Andreas was released allowing gamers to simulate sex. GTA's developers, Take-Two, have settled for US$20million in the end of what has been a protracted and damaging legal battle. Not that GTA gamer's will care of course, so long as this doesn't effect any future installments in the series.

ONE of the most bizarre chapters in video game history has finally ended with a $23 million settlement.

The Grand Theft Auto "Hot Coffee" case came to a close this week as games company Take-Two Interactive struck a $US20 million out-of-court deal.

The company was the subject of a class-action suit by its shareholders over an infamous interactive sex scene in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

Discovery of the scene in 2005 led to widespread controversy, reclassification of the game to Adults Only and a massive drop in Take-Two's share price.

The twist was that the scene was never meant to be seen by the public. It had been developed and then removed from the game's storyline – but not entirely from the game's code.

Hackers found a way to "unlock" the scene shortly after the game's release.

The scene showed the game's main character having sex with women and let players control some of the on-screen movements.

Euphoric via news.com.au »