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Do Game Ratings Really Do Their Job?

Posted by simoniker on from the anything-goes dept.

Thanks to CNN Money for its article exploring whether videogame ratings are as relevant as they need to be, with particular reference to Manhunt, the gory Rockstar-developed stealth action game which sparked similar discussions at Slashdot earlier this week over its M (Mature), but not AO (Adults Only) rating. The ESRB ratings board officially commented: "The ratings and content descriptors printed on all game boxes, including Manhunt, tell consumers what to expect from the game and provide the detail parents need to make informed purchasing decisions", but the CNN writer argues: "By way of comparison, 'Deus Ex: Invisible War', which hits streets next week, is also rated M... it's a game I wouldn't mind seeing a 15-year old play, whereas any responsible adult would cringe if they saw a child or young teen playing 'Manhunt'."

2 of 56 comments (clear)

  1. Ratings systems in general by randomlogik · · Score: 4, Informative

    You seem to have quite a interesting range of ratings in the states.

    In Australia, we have a standardized rating system (sorry its called a classification system here) for Games, Music, Movies and most of tv.

    It goes like this:

    G - General Exhibition
    PG - Parental Guidance for those under 15
    M15+ - Recommended for Mature Audiences 15 and over
    MA15+ - Restricted to audienced 15 and over
    R18+ - Restricted to adults 18+
    X - Hard core porn

    This is used across the board, however it is enforced unfairly. I can't get my friends 17 year old girlfriend into Kill Bill, however she can buy it when it comes out on DVD.

    What is funny here is the R18+ category doesnt exist for games. Basically if the game is too violent and/or too much sex - it gets banned (ie GTA3, Postal).

    The ratings system here has always been under controversy by one group or another. And the moment some other game gets banned (possibly Manhunt) there will be another gamer's uproar.

    I agree with restricted classification for children (but not overkill), but I do not believe anyone has the right to BAN films or games and the such.

  2. Re:Violence vs Sex by GTarrant · · Score: 2, Informative
    A key point here is the interesting fact that everything you mention in your (excellent) post could be flipped on top of itself if we just cross the Altantic (something alluded to in your movie examples).

    In Europe, for the most part, violence is completely taboo - movies, television, wherever, American movies often must be edited an incredible amount to reduce instances of graphic violence. Television shows rarely show the types of violence that are routine on CSI, NYPD Blue, or numerous other shows. Hell, in some countries, you even have police that can't carry firearms. Yet at the same time, sex is commonplace. In foreign versions of the reality show "Big Brother" it's not unusual for the station to show contestants having sex with each other, and it happens on television shows as well. Maybe not hardcore, but it's done. In fact, one recent story mentioned that a show (loosely translated as) "How to Have Sex" was recently reduced in airtime because people were getting BORED of it.

    Interesting how desensitized Americans are to violence (when was the last time violence, really was SHOCKING to most people here?) while sex is abhorrent (reminds one of the Simpsons' when the town wanted to protest Michaelangelo's 'David' - saying it depicted parts of the body which, however practical and necessary, were EVIL), while in Europe, it's the opposite.

    Sure, America started as a rather puritanical place, but Europe itself was pretty dominated by similar religions for a long time, yet seems to have gone the other direction...