Comments on: Nintendo and Sony: No AO Manhunt 2 on Our Consoles http://www.gamestooge.com/2007/06/20/nintendo-and-sony-no-ao-manhunt-2-on-our-consoles/ GameStooge: Just another Game weblog Thu, 16 Oct 2008 03:12:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: HarryB http://www.gamestooge.com/2007/06/20/nintendo-and-sony-no-ao-manhunt-2-on-our-consoles/#comment-3775 HarryB Thu, 21 Jun 2007 11:54:52 +0000 http://www.gamestooge.com/2007/06/20/nintendo-and-sony-no-ao-manhunt-2-on-our-consoles/#comment-3775 EXACTLY, Drocket. The ratings system is so parents and consumers can have an idea of the content in a game before making a purchase, not so console makers, stores, and politicians can keep us from enjoying certain content. This is akin to buying a DVD player that "refuses" to allow you to play X-rated movies. It's RIDICULOUS! EXACTLY, Drocket. The ratings system is so parents and consumers can have an idea of the content in a game before making a purchase, not so console makers, stores, and politicians can keep us from enjoying certain content.

This is akin to buying a DVD player that “refuses” to allow you to play X-rated movies. It’s RIDICULOUS!

]]> By: Drocket http://www.gamestooge.com/2007/06/20/nintendo-and-sony-no-ao-manhunt-2-on-our-consoles/#comment-3757 Drocket Thu, 21 Jun 2007 04:49:09 +0000 http://www.gamestooge.com/2007/06/20/nintendo-and-sony-no-ao-manhunt-2-on-our-consoles/#comment-3757 Refusing to permit AO games is what turns a ratings system into censorship. Refusing to permit AO games is what turns a ratings system into censorship.

]]> By: S Holmes http://www.gamestooge.com/2007/06/20/nintendo-and-sony-no-ao-manhunt-2-on-our-consoles/#comment-3752 S Holmes Thu, 21 Jun 2007 01:34:13 +0000 http://www.gamestooge.com/2007/06/20/nintendo-and-sony-no-ao-manhunt-2-on-our-consoles/#comment-3752 This has absolutely gone too far. The video game industry has now officially cracked under the pressure of politicians/lawmakers, family groups, and Jack Thompson. And for the record, I've never even seen the original Manhunt played, much less played it myself. I have no interest in the series. But this affects all gamers regardless of your interests. Nintendo and Sony have officially chilled freedom of expression for violent content. Game developers will now develop games with a constant fear that their hard work, time, and money will be wasted if they get the dreaded AO rating. This will cause them to hold back on many forms of expression that may never have been given an AO rating. It's just too costly to risk, so they'll stop way short to make sure they don't cross the line. Meanwhile, Jack Thompson and others won't stop. They'll use this as a stepping stone to continue to chip away at any content they don't approve of. Thank you, Rockstar, for starting this whole mess with your stupid Hot Coffee mistake. There is now a definite limit to freedom of expression in video games - a limit that is not shared by other forms of media. This has absolutely gone too far. The video game industry has now officially cracked under the pressure of politicians/lawmakers, family groups, and Jack Thompson. And for the record, I’ve never even seen the original Manhunt played, much less played it myself. I have no interest in the series. But this affects all gamers regardless of your interests.

Nintendo and Sony have officially chilled freedom of expression for violent content. Game developers will now develop games with a constant fear that their hard work, time, and money will be wasted if they get the dreaded AO rating. This will cause them to hold back on many forms of expression that may never have been given an AO rating. It’s just too costly to risk, so they’ll stop way short to make sure they don’t cross the line.

Meanwhile, Jack Thompson and others won’t stop. They’ll use this as a stepping stone to continue to chip away at any content they don’t approve of.

Thank you, Rockstar, for starting this whole mess with your stupid Hot Coffee mistake. There is now a definite limit to freedom of expression in video games - a limit that is not shared by other forms of media.

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