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Controversial Manhunt Game Rated 'R' in Ontario
GrimSean writes "Well, it looks like someone in power up here in Ontario finally noticed the level of violence in Rockstar's Manhunt, as the Ontario Film Review Board has given it an R rating, much like a movie. The Toronto Star has an article here and the CBC has also covered the story - according to an article at CJAD, businesses could be fined a minimum of $25,000 Canadian for selling it to minors. It seems like they've completely sidestepped the ESRB's M rating and gone directly to the Restricted to 'control the thing'."
The biggest difference is that the ESRB rating is simply an advisory or suggestion for the audience. ESRB rating a game "M" has no legal effect on how it is sold. On the other hand, when the provincial Film Board gives it an "R" rating, it becomes illegal to sell the game to a minor. (In the case of a film, it's illegal to let a minor into an R-rated film at all, whether accompanied by a parent or not.)
Most game shops don't want to risk a lawsuit over accidentally selling this game to a kid, so shops in Ontario are pulling it off the shelves and keeping it behind counters available on request or special order only. It's also illegal to display the game where kids might see it. This is why Rockstar is appealing the rating -- they are not only losing advertising space in shops, but they are probably losing a key market of kids who aren't adequately supervised by parents.
Incidentally, video games are already in the jurisdiction of the Ontario Film Board. Remember, in Ontario, "film" means "cinematographic film, videotape and any other medium from which may be produced visual images that may be viewed as moving pictures and includes film that is used for advertising purposes." You could publish a pornographic flip-book and they could R-rate it. They aren't "overriding" or "sidestepping" the ESRB as some previous posters have suggested. They are, however, setting a precident by applying a film rating to a video game. They could also be setting an example for other provincial Film Boards to follow, which is why Rockstar is so worried.