Lol... yea it is kind of strange the way it works out I havn't looked at it from that angle.

I'm glad he used the term 'Horror Genre' and 'art'. Games most definately art.

I just want to add that I would love to kill the person who runs this website in a way that is bloody and violent.

Wow, a troll that isn't even original enough to think up a new line.

Even worse, one who can't come up with a rationalization.

@ GoodRobotUs

And the best part is that when they realese the cut-down game, some group is gonna stand up and complain about how this game is markedet to children. Then our favorite lawyer is gonna try to ban the game.

@Terrible Tom

Actually considering how much Rockstar has hung the rest of the Electronic Entertainment Industry out to dry in the past and caused the ESRB and ESA to cover their ass over Hot Coffee, I doubt anyone is willing to step up to the plate any more. They made an ultra-violent game which makes the GTA series look like a child's playground. This got them an Adults Only rating from the ESRB. They should have figured.

What sucks is that the console manufacturers are too scared of the AO rating to allow them a license. Really the game more than likely deserves the rating it got. The problem lies in that AO has gotten a stigma which it doesn't deserve making it a porn rating instead of an Adult rating it should be.

Dr. Alexander Thomas seems to be the kind of mentally unstable (or underage and immature) person whom the ratings systems are there to protect.

Regarding Mr. Zelnick's statement, he is perfectly right. Manhunt 2 was never purported to be anything other than a game set in the horror genre. They have never tried to hide the fact that it contains strong violence and settings that are only for an adult audience. I realise the Hot Coffee incident may have undermined some companies trust in Rockstar and Take Two, but they have been open and honest with this title as regards it's content. What I can't understand then is why it is being demonised. If Stephen King were to announce his next horror novel, would people complain that it contained violence? Hostel 2 is out soon, the makers have been honest about the fact it contains ciolence, and no-one gives a damn.

I believe that much of the banning is due to misguided belief that video games = childrens toy, or a lack of faith in retailers.

Either way, I still cannot fathom why the console manufacturers will not allow AO content on their machines.

Could be a proxy, but I'm pretty sure that it's NOT the Surgeon General of Louiseville KY ;)

I've also found myself wondering whether, at the very least, Rockstar prepared for this eventuality, I suppose we'll find out one way or another in the coming days.

Answer me this: is there really any significant maturity difference between a 17-year-old (which is the legal age to buy M-rated games) and an 18-year-old (the legal age to buy AO-rated games)?

Umm... Gamepolitics. I assume they could still appeal the AO. Unless they did that and I'm behind on the news

Yes, I really dont disagree with the AO rating, but I do wish that AO games would not be treated like the devils disks in this country.

With japan, there is a whole cottage industry devoted to "Dating Sims" although granted, some of them arent really sexual, most of them are. And you can usually waltz right into any old store, and pick up a hentai game without getting trouble. (you might not want to broadcast what you are doing to the public though) In this country, even mention porn, and everyone within a five mile radius will point their fingers at you and call you a menace to society.

I think all this is because the U.S was started by puritans. Damn pious people!

Stand tall and strong, friends! We must fight back this backwards form of censorship and armchair morality. To hell with these morons who seek to keep gaming the sole product of children and tasteless consumers. Video games should be judged by the same standards that reign over film, literature, and music.

Don't like a game? DON'T PLAY IT. Keep your garbage morality, backwards values, and bronze age genocidal war god to yourself.

the difference tends to be where the law defines what is and is not a minor. they more then likely looked and decided since the agreed upon legal status change from minor to adult is 18 (i understand that there are things out there that can undercut this, but for the most part 18 seems to be the magic cut off after) that they would use that as the point where they feel a person should be able to make their own decisions. i may not agree with that mentality, but it seems to me that is the way they went. rock star did shoot themselves in the foot with the way they handled hot coffee, and i wonder if the esrb went with an AO just to be safe. the real killer here is nintendo and sony refuse to allow it to be published. i still disagree with separating game violence and movie/book violence (even if i enter in the button, i know its a game, i know its digital. the same ppl affected by the digital act would gain the same effect from all other media regardless. we need to realize that there are crazy people out there). if they would go ahead and publish it, either as an AO or unrated, it underlines the message that games are also made for adults. to shy away from something that clearly defends your argument and should really be up to the consumer on if it is right for them is admitting to your detractors that it mostly kids play and a disservice to a large amount of the audience.

@upgray3dd - yeah, they could appeal. But that's a non-starter. As I say in the article, there's really only one option.

Chat with live girls for free...

...