Senators Want Adults Only Rating For Manhunt 2

[Modeps]

I think the idea of a unified rating system is good so everyone knows what everything means... but now is the time for the ESRB, a privately, industry run, self-regulating rating system to step up and say "You know what? Fuck you."

http://kotaku.com/gaming/esrb/...r-manhunt-2-325247.php

United States senators and presidential hopefuls Joe Lieberman, Sam Brownback, Evan Bayh, and Hillary Rodham Clinton have written to the ESRB, asking the organization to review its rating policies and suggesting an Adults Only rating for the recently released Manhunt 2. The Hollywood Reporter writes that the senators and other lawmakers asked the ratings board to consider the "robustness, reliability and repeatability" of the current ratings process in light of "'ultraviolent' video games and the advances in game controllers", presumably referring to the motion controlled Wii version of Manhunt 2. Clinton, the report writes, is moving for a unified rating system across films, television and games.

 

[hans030390]

Ugh...

 

[RagingBITCH]

It's nothing new really...especially that Lieberman douche. Time and time again they raise hell, and time and time again the industry just rolls over and laughs. It'll pass...this is just media sensationalism getting you all riled up for nothing

 

[blurredvision]

While I think that a game like Manhunt 2 on the Wii really and truly deserves some type of adult-only rating, the double standard between videogames and movies is ridiculous and sickening. Various politicians' crusades against videogame violence is stupid when you consider that they are hypocrits in their own propoganda.

 

[tw1164]

Originally posted by: blurredvision
While I think that a game like Manhunt 2 on the Wii really and truly deserves some type of adult-only rating, the double standard between videogames and movies is ridiculous and sickening. Various politicians' crusades against videogame violence is stupid when you consider that they are hypocrits in their own propoganda.

Ratings don't matter when the parents buying the game ignores them. The last time I was at target I saw a younger kid (8-9?) asking for Halo 3. The kids dad said he would get it for him as a xmas gift.

 

[Modeps]

Originally posted by: tw1164

Originally posted by: blurredvision
While I think that a game like Manhunt 2 on the Wii really and truly deserves some type of adult-only rating, the double standard between videogames and movies is ridiculous and sickening. Various politicians' crusades against videogame violence is stupid when you consider that they are hypocrits in their own propoganda.

Ratings don't matter when the parents buying the game ignores them. The last time I was at target I saw a younger kid (8-9?) asking for Halo 3. The kids dad said he would get it for him as a xmas gift.

I wish you used a better example than Halo 3. I'd probably rate H3 as T, not M.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

An AO rating is effectively censoring the game because it will not be released with an AO rating.

Also, anyone think it is funny that the only people that care about Manhunt 2 is the media and politicians? I don't know of any gamers that care.

 

[Modeps]

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g
Also, anyone think it is funny that the only people that care about Manhunt 2 is the media and politicians? I don't know of any gamers that care.

You should care. It's not a Manhunt issue. Its basically the government trying to interfere with the entertainment industry because they feel they have a right to which they don't.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

Originally posted by: Modeps

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g
Also, anyone think it is funny that the only people that care about Manhunt 2 is the media and politicians? I don't know of any gamers that care.

You should care. It's not a Manhunt issue. Its basically the government trying to interfere with the entertainment industry because they feel they have a right to which they don't.

You misunderstood.

 

[Modeps]

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g

Originally posted by: Modeps

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g
Also, anyone think it is funny that the only people that care about Manhunt 2 is the media and politicians? I don't know of any gamers that care.

You should care. It's not a Manhunt issue. Its basically the government trying to interfere with the entertainment industry because they feel they have a right to which they don't.

You misunderstood.

You are correct! I did.

 

[oznerol]

The game rating system is a joke, though I feel this whole "video games are killing our children" mentality will be around until the current generation of politicians dies out and people now in their 20s and 30s take over.

That being said, I think Manhunt 2 should be rated Adults only. I just don't think the "Adults only" rating should be restricted to lame ass porn and snuff games. That, and retailers such as Target and Walmart should allow AO games to be sold. Oh yea, and Nintendo and Sony should also allow AO games to even be released for their consoles.

If not, then the rating system is useless.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

I agree that they shouldn't be getting involved and I won't votre for anyone that does.

I was just saying that no gamers that I know of care about playing Manhunt 2. It is ironic that the only reason this is even popular is because the people that want it banned are making it popular.

I remember when I was a kid, my super christian mom showed me this video tape from the pmrc that had all of these "horrible" bands on it. It highlighted their lyrics and activities. I had never heard of most of these bands but as I watched, I wrote them all down and went and bought most of them lol. I woulda never heard of Venom if it wasn't for the people trying to ban it.

 

[R Nilla]

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g
...
I remember when I was a kid, my super christian mom showed me this video tape from the pmrc that had all of these "horrible" bands on it. It highlighted their lyrics and activities. I had never heard of most of these bands but as I watched, I wrote them all down and went and bought most of them lol. I woulda never heard of Venom if it wasn't for the people trying to ban it.

:laugh: That is awesome. :thumbsup:

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: tw1164

Originally posted by: blurredvision
While I think that a game like Manhunt 2 on the Wii really and truly deserves some type of adult-only rating, the double standard between videogames and movies is ridiculous and sickening. Various politicians' crusades against videogame violence is stupid when you consider that they are hypocrits in their own propoganda.

Ratings don't matter when the parents buying the game ignores them. The last time I was at target I saw a younger kid (8-9?) asking for Halo 3. The kids dad said he would get it for him as a xmas gift.

The issue of ignorant parents is another completely different topic by itself, and shouldn't affect how the issue of this thread is discussed.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: ducci
The game rating system is a joke, though I feel this whole "video games are killing our children" mentality will be around until the current generation of politicians dies out and people now in their 20s and 30s take over.

That being said, I think Manhunt 2 should be rated Adults only. I just don't think the "Adults only" rating should be restricted to lame ass porn and snuff games. That, and retailers such as Target and Walmart should allow AO games to be sold. Oh yea, and Nintendo and Sony should also allow AO games to even be released for their consoles.

If not, then the rating system is useless.

The problem is the same as with the X and NC-17 movie ratings - there is a stigma that no one wants to be associated with. Midnight Cowboy originally got an X rating before that stigma existed. Ever see that movie? It's not surprising that they re-rated it R years after it was released. But if it weren't for the stigma, it would probably still be rated X and NC-17 would still be useful for serious, non-pornographic movies that children really shouldn't see. AO has the same stigma, so it'll never be a really useful.

 

[Robor]

I agree that the government is overly intrusive when it comes to movies and games (DRM laws, ratings, etc) but I think the issue is minor compared to other things that will influence my vote.

 

[RandomFool]

It'd be neat if the senators actually focused on something useful for a change instead of trying to make headlines like this.The rating themselves are perfectly fine although I will say a unified rating system isn't a terrible idea.

Ultimately, It's the parents that are the problem. It is their responsibility to know what they are buying for their kids and to teach kids that just because it's in a video game it doesn't mean it's ok.

I don't have a problem with Manhunt 2 being rated M rather than AO. Sure it's violent but M isn't meant for little kids 17+ is fine.

 

[gi0rgi0]

This now makes me want to go out and get the game now. And like the OP none of these cretins will
get my vote.

 

[Trader05]

Originally posted by: gi0rgi0
This now makes me want to go out and get the game now. And like the OP none of these cretins will
get my vote.

Exactly! When they blow up a game like this, it just means more kids and gamers would want it even more. You sure Rockstar isn't behind this media advertisement? lol

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: Modeps

The Hollywood Reporter writes that the senators and other lawmakers asked the ratings board to consider the "robustness, reliability and repeatability" of the current ratings process in light of "'ultraviolent' video games and the advances in game controllers", presumably referring to the motion controlled Wii version of Manhunt 2. Clinton, the report writes, is moving for a unified rating system across films, television and games.

Hah, this sounds kind of like they want to create a guideline for a MVP (Media Verification Plan) for the ESRB, etc... the terms robustness, reliability and repeatability reminded me waaaaay too much of DO-178B stuff .

 

[randomlinh]

I have no problems with an Adult Only rating. Except the fact that Nintendo, Sony (and I guess microsoft) seem to shun away and will not allow it to be published for their systems. WHY!?! It's my choice to to play it. And if parents can't parent.. we have far larger issues than the violence in the game their kids are playing

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Originally posted by: blurredvision
While I think that a game like Manhunt 2 on the Wii really and truly deserves some type of adult-only rating, the double standard between videogames and movies is ridiculous and sickening. Various politicians' crusades against videogame violence is stupid when you consider that they are hypocrits in their own propoganda.

Are you saying it deserves an AO rating on the Wii but not on other systems?

 

[BD2003]

I'm all against censorship, but Manhunt 2 really should be for adults only. (M rating, I suppose)

The problem isnt the politicians, its the fact that the ESRB ratings are treated as the basis for censorship. Take it up with the ESRB, console manufacturers and retailers that interpret the ratings in this way.

Point out to the retailers the obvious hypocrisy in carrying Hostel in the DVD section but not carrying Manhunt 2 in the Wii section.
Point out to the manufacturers how precious little difference there is between an AO game and an M game - theres no shortage of brutally violent games on ANY system.
Point out to the ESRB its insane inconsistency in ratings.

And while youre at it, go tell rockstar to actually make a decent game out of manhunt instead of relying on controversy and gore to sell an otherwise POS product.

And honestly, there are far more important issues at stake in this election than a crap video game. If this controversy is the deciding factor for your vote, you need a reality check, fast.

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: BD2003
And honestly, there are far more important issues at stake in this election than a crap video game. If this controversy is the deciding factor for your vote, you need a reality check, fast.

Definitely true. I know this isn't P&N but if someone is basing their vote simply on this topic maybe they need to increase the voting age.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Robor

Originally posted by: BD2003
And honestly, there are far more important issues at stake in this election than a crap video game. If this controversy is the deciding factor for your vote, you need a reality check, fast.

Definitely true. I know this isn't P&N but if someone is basing their vote simply on this topic maybe they need to increase the voting age.

Heh, good point. I hate one-issue voters, especially when they're relatively insignificant topics and moral issues. But as a libertarian, I see this as yet another attack on our liberty by the major party politicians. I wouldn't have voted for any of these clowns before, and this just reinforces that decision.