Post by RepairmanJack on Jun 25, 2007 23:19:59 GMT -5
So Rockstar's latest videogame Manhunt 2 has been given a AO rating. AO stands for Adults Only in the video game world. Nothing wrong with an adult game right? In reality it also means no one will carry the game and none of the big three--Microsoft, Sony or Nintendo--will allow a licensed company to release an AO game. Is this fair? Saw III and Hostel 2 are just as violent. They both got an R rating by their ratings board. Why the disconnect? Several sources I read online seem to think video games are different. The point being that for a movie or tv show viewing it is a passive event. A videogame though the player takes an active role in the game. This distinction is what seems to be the dividing line between movies/tv and videogames. Is this right? So it is perfectly fine to watch a killer torture and murder people, but if it is a game and I am the one telling the character to do it then it is wrong? What is the real difference? Why do people insist on characterizing a game as if it is real life? I don't play Madden football and then think I am ready to play in the NFL. So, why if I play for example GTA Vice City, I think it is ok to go out and shoot hookers? No one thinks that. And if they do they have more problems than playing videogames and would do violent acts regardless. The average child is exposed to more violent acts on regular tv than they will ever see in videogames. But let's pick on the industry that does not have as strong of a political lobby as tv and film has. We can never give people the benefit of the doubt that they are actually capable of making acceptable decisions...