Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar Video Games issued an apology late Tuesday for comments in one of their games that Haitian community officials found offensive.

"We never meant for this to happen," said James Ankner, Take Two and Rockstar Video Games' spokesperson. He said the game was meant for people "to have fun, obviously not at the expense of others."

In a statement released, the makers of the game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City said, "We are aware of the hurt and anger in the Haitian community and have listened to the community's objections to certain statements made in the

game. Accordingly, we will remove the objectionable statements from future copies of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City."

Leslie Thomas, pastor of the Church of God of Harlem, said the group of offended activists has informed its attorney of the apology, but plans to go on with a Dec.15 protest because there are young Haitians who feel demeaned by the image of Haitians portrayed.

"The negative effect has already occurred," Thomas said. "We have to make them pay the price anyway. And we have to see if there are any legal avenues, as a basis to sue the company."

The activists say they will march on with their plans to protest in front of Rockstar headquarters because the damage to the Haitian community has already been done.

In mid-November, Haitian activists became offended because Vice City contained dialogue such as "Kill the Haitians" and they vowed to take action against the video game makers. They made various demands on the game makers and legislators to change the game's content or recall it.

Ankner said the apology and changes in the game, effective immediately, are "pro-active" efforts on Take Two and Rockstar's part. He said they tried to contact certain activists, but their calls were not returned.