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ESRB Ratings Add Violence Descriptors
Thanks to an anonymous reader for pointing to an ESRB press release saying they've added four new violence-specific content descriptors to their voluntary but near-universally used age/suitability ratings system for games. These descriptors are "Cartoon Violence, defined as 'violent actions involving cartoon-like characters. May include violence where a character is unharmed after the action has been inflicted'... Fantasy Violence, defined as 'violent actions of a fantasy nature, involving human or non-human characters in situations easily distinguishable from real life.'... Intense Violence, defined as 'graphic and realistic-looking depictions of physical conflict. May involve extreme and/or realistic blood, gore, weapons, and depictions of human injury and death'... Sexual Violence, defined as 'depictions of rape or other violent sexual acts.'" There's also mention of icon redesign to include recommended age ranges and new, more prominent labels on the back of game boxes, presumably in response to legal challenges regarding violent games.
Well, maybe not yet, but with GTA III and Vice City (where you can pickup prostitutes, etc.) they may just be preparing for sequels involving more of these story lines.
Overrated / Underrated : Moderation
Breaking down the violence this way is a good thing, in fact it will probably end up making video games look less violent than movies. Since movies tend to build the characters up a bit before their brains get splattered against the wall. Well excepting "Attack of the clones", where the clone army (which we don't care about) fights the mechanic army (which we also don't care about).
But I digress.
A point, a point, I was going to make a point...
Ah, what about publishers that want a violent-er rating to appeal to an older audience? E.g. the original Wipeout for PS1 had a "mature" rating for "violence". The only violence in the game was firing weapons from hovercraft to hovercraft, and even then the only consequence of a direct hit was slowing the enemy down. How violent is that? Not at all. They just didn't want their cyberpunk game to get labeled with the kiss-of-death "appropriate for all ages" moniker.
One reason Lieberman and torch-waving "me too" followers called off the dogs was because of how complete and detailed the ESRB ratings have become. To Liebermen's credit, he admits and praises this publically.
I am not a parent yet, but in a few years, I will appreciate having a tool like that to judge content by. This is what content control needs to be like - non-intrusive and voluntary, but complete and descriptive. As most children can tell you, rules like "no R rated movies, period" become embarrassing when all of their friends get to watch certain R-rated movies on a case-by-case basis. A descriptive rating system makes it easier to make better judgement calls. It's not a be-all end-all, and some people will always think it's too harsh/lenient, but it's far better than nothing.
Psychosexual Geneva Syndrome -- women who are raped fall in love with their rapists and live happily ever after.
Actually, when a person such as Patty Hearst gets captured and works for their captors or holds a deep emotional bond, it is called Stockholm Syndrome.
Not trying to be a jerk or a Nazi... but you were really close to being on the money on that one... I just read a lot on it once. Thought it was fascinating.