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[ShutEye]

The interactive nature of games certainly differentiates them from more passive forms of media like films and televisions, which is why the ESRB system takes these other unique characteristics into consideration.

So is the ESRB stating that interactivity in games poses a greater 'threat' to user? Or are they simply saying that they look at control systems when rating the games?

 

[Wink]

its not like Nintendo and Sony's standards blindsided anybody. Everyone has known their stance on AO rated games, so its "everyone who worked on this game" who is at fault for apparently being too dumb to recognize that. Standing behind it will only cause them to lose more money and get their game in as few gamers hands as possible.

I'm just saying they should make the game available as it was originally intended in every country that allows it. If they can bring it down a few notches to receive an M-rating then fine, but I hope the original doesn't get canceled all together in this process.

 

[ManaByte]

So is the ESRB stating that interactivity in games poses a greater 'threat' to user? Or are they simply saying that they look at control systems when rating the games?

Seeing as they only watch a VIDEO of the game, it's the former.

 

[[Nintex]]

Not sure if this is old but:

http://wii.ign.com/articles/798/798639p1.html

According to IGN Nintendo and Sony both won't allow the game to be made for their system:

Nintendo and Sony have said they will not allow such a game to be manufactured for their consoles.

 

[PjotrStroganov]

He's saying he knows they rated M, but I guess he means they should have been rated AO. I don't see how that's the case. The events in GTA3 and God of War are not worse than what you see in an R rated movie.

I thought the whole point of the AO rating was to differentiate stuff that is basically interactive porn (like the CD-i title you mentioned) from regular games. I guess the real problem is that since people still equate games as a kid's hobby it doesn't get held to the same standards as movies. Unless there is something really off the wall in Manhunt 2 that we don't know about yet, it is probably no worse than than a lot of the movies that are sold at Walmart, Target, and other "mainstream" retailers.

I can understand Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo wanting to distance themselves from products that really do deserve the AO rating, but it doesn't sound like the ratings are being applied in a logical manner.

To add on my comment. Many countries have a much less lenient rating system that gives these games an AO equivalent rating. The main difference is that they are not banned by retailers while being rated 18+ (thus for adults only).


Games like GoW and GTA3 should receive the AO rating and be sold in shops nonetheless. It at least would take away the nitpicking about the content because there is only one rating in which violent and sexually oriented games can reside. An adult should be able to make his own choice whether or not to buy such game. No matter the amount of violence or sex in it. Children, still being able to buy such games would be a whole different story.

 

[ShutEye]

Seeing as they only watch a VIDEO of the game, it's the former.

Then the ESRB is ****ed. I simply cannot agree with that assessment.

 

[speculawyer]

The story is old news on GAF but the Manhunt 2 story continues to reverberate in the general press. An AP story appearing Yahoo!'s front page discusses talks about how 'Manhunt 2' suspension may boost demand .

 

[gofreak]

The story is old news on GAF but the Manhunt 2 story continues to reverberate in the general press. An AP story appearing Yahoo!'s front page discusses talks about how 'Manhunt 2' suspension may boost demand .

Easy to see it happening. The silver lining on this cloud could be pretty significant..the story has been quite big here, it was front page on the broadsheets, the letters pages in the same papers still lit up about it. No doubt it will stoke interest once the (revised) game makes it out.

 

[Jirotrom]

The story is old news on GAF but the Manhunt 2 story continues to reverberate in the general press. An AP story appearing Yahoo!'s front page discusses talks about how 'Manhunt 2' suspension may boost demand .

I really just think this has been part of a marketing ploy...from various sources we have already heard that Manhunt 2 was a more violent game than this after a play through... I wonder what was on the video that Rockstar showed the ESRB.

 

[speculawyer]

I really just think this has been part of a marketing ploy...from various sources we have already heard that Manhunt 2 was a more violent game than this after a play through... I wonder what was on the video that Rockstar showed the ESRB.

I don't think it was intentionally done as a marketing ploy but I think they are now doing the best they can to turn lemons into lemonade.

But to really take advantage of the hype, they need to get a revised game relatively soon which I doubt they can do.

 

[Max@GC]

I hope that the original version appears somewhere.

 

[Goldrusher]

What sucks the most is that Rockstar decided to "postpone" this game for everybody, even if some countries wouldn't mind a release.

 

[G4life98]

once the game is cut ...could they release the lost stuff as dl content?

 

[Tab0203]

nm

 

[vultureparade]

This whole situation is ridiculous.

As someone who wants to see the video game medium expand artistically, this political nonsense over video game ratings makes me sad.

I'm sure it'll all pass by eventually when everyone finds something else to blame some of society's problems on, but I hate to think about how much this shit is slowing down the creative progress of the industry.

 

[Max@GC]

once the game is cut ...could they release the lost stuff as dl content?

In an unofficial way, yes.

 

[Jirotrom]

I don't think it was intentionally done as a marketing ploy but I think they are now doing the best they can to turn lemons into lemonade.

But to really take advantage of the hype, they need to get a revised game relatively soon which I doubt they can do.

I believe a bit of it has to do with the state of things right now also...so yeah maybe not a total marketing ploy...but it helps them in the end if all things go well and they receive a mature rating.

 

[C.T.]

still this rating is bullshit. In Germany they banned sequels of banned games, they called it equal content. Sure they were and still are strict (Germany has its own rating board USK in europe) but developer know what to expect. This rating by the EGRB is utterly shit, because it seems sooo arbitrary. they change standards at will and confuse retailers and developers, even change the ratings of games already on retail which had been rated by the board before. I doubt this is good for the industry.

 

[Penguin]

once the game is cut ...could they release the lost stuff as dl content?

It will be awesome if there is like nothing really major taken out. maybe a scene or two and toned down gore.

Then a bunch of people go and find this "unrated" edition... and are disappointed

 

[Mr_Furious]

I'm sure it'll all pass by eventually when everyone finds something else to blame some of society's problems on, but I hate to think about how much this shit is slowing down the creative progress of the industry.

Once we get some (ex)gamers high up in the political tree we'll see change. Till then no dice. I estimate 20-30 years from now. I only hope both the industry and mankind can last that long.

 

[{Mike}]

It's so stupid because it's now sure to be delayed.

 

[G4life98]

It will be awesome if there is like nothing really major taken out. maybe a scene or two and toned down gore.

Then a bunch of people go and find this "unrated" edition... and are disappointed

couldnt they even release the old versions of scenes as downloads, or...

i can see it now:
collectors edition manhunt 2 w/ limited edition dvd: see all the stuff we couldnt put in the game...for an extra 10 bucks :lol

 

[Guileless]

They could put Thrillkill on the special edition too.

 

[Baryn]

I grow more frustrated at this situation by the day. The double standard for media not only in the US, but all over the world is disgusting.

...why aren't more gamers throwing a fit over this? Because it isn't a Final Fantasy game?

 

[Gattsu25]

couldnt they even release the old versions of scenes as downloads, or...

i can see it now:
collectors edition manhunt 2 w/ limited edition dvd: see all the stuff we couldnt put in the game...for an extra 10 bucks :lol

The funny thing is the DVD would be rated R

 

[MaddenNFL64]

I hope they sell the AO version on their website(s). Buying that shit, for sure.

 

[Gattsu25]

I hope they sell the AO version on their website(s). Buying that shit, for sure.

You wouldn't be able to play the AO version of the PS2, PSP, or Wii

I say they should leak the PSP AO ISO


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