Where Politics And Video Games Collide

While I like most of what was said, and think that a lot of there points are valid, the last one I take issue with.

" There’s a perception among the creators of media… that if for any reason, you are unable to market your wares in the manner you desire, you are being “censored.” …no one’s stopping you from making the game you want to make. But the customers — the retailers — aren’t always buying what you’re selling.

It isn’t censorship. It’s just a bad business model. We need to stop using the C-word before it loses all meaning in the discussion, and focus energies on crafting an effective business model that works for all parties."

The issue hre, is how do you know weather or not Manhunt 2 would have sold. The retailers won't let an Ao game be sold, the console makers won't let the game be Played.

Thats not a bussiness issue, thats a censorship issue. That being said, I think the issue has more to do with the ESRB. I've said a few times that the Publishers, game desginers, and the ESA should come down on them hard for there heavy handedness on Manhunt2. That being said, part of me thinks it was all an act by Esrb and Rockstar to make waves and get free publicity.

I will say this, and feel free to disagree if you like. The Ao rating should be removed from the list and replaced by a rating that is sellable at retail but Heavily enforced, like say, an 18 or something. The AO rating now, as it is, exsists for now other purpose to but act as a Ban Hammer for video games, and that voids its exsistance as a Rating in much the same way the X rating voided itself in the movie industry.

Thats just how I see it, but I think it's dead on the mark.