Manhunt 2 Ban Fallout, Game Rated AO By ESRB

In the wake of yesterday's announcement of a UK ban on Manhunt 2 , Rockstar has registered its disappointment at the BBFC's decision. The company simply stated that they 'respect those who have different opinions about the horror genre and videogames as a whole, but we hope they will also consider the opinions of the adult gamers for whom this product is intended.' Meanwhile, here in the US, the ESRB has given the game the dreaded AO rating, for adults only. If you're unfamiliar with this seldom-seen designation, it's essentially the 'kiss of death' for a title at retail; a number of popular videogame outlets refuse to carry titles with that rating. MTV's Stephen Totilo has a lengthy and considered discussion of these proceedings. "For 'Manhunt 2,' signs pointed to the title being both less and more extreme than the first. Gone from press previews were mentions of snuff films and Directors. Instead, a more traditionally violent video game premise: one man's struggle to stay alive in an insane asylum gone mad."

Comments

Re:So wait.

[MobileTatsu-NJG]

"I LIVE in the US and I've never understood this perspective either."

It's actually very easy to understand. Just ask a couple of questions:

How many high school seniors have fathered or mothered a child?

How many high school seniors have killed a person?

The thinking is along the lines of: "I remember what it was like when I was in school, and I don't want my child getting/causing pregnancy and ruining their life." The idea that they're going to go Columbine at a school is a distant thought.

It's not about the act, it's about the probability of it becoming a problem in the household. I don't personally subscribe to that line of thought, but it's not like half the country took a crazy pill or something.

Re:ESRB is out of control

[cgenman]

I forget where, but there was a wonderful british study recently that found the suspension of disbelief was harmed by playing a videogame compared to watching a movie. The physical requirement of interacting with a game makes it difficult to forget that you're seeing something fake. Watching a movie, however, has less dischordant elements which stick out, and such things can be more easily glossed over as they require no attention on the part of the user.

Anyone have a link?