Decade
09-14-2007, 04:57 PM
Saw this on dash-hacks and thought it was pretty well done.
The ESRB has a “standard” ratings system which it uses to categorize what criteria determines which demographic a video game falls under. This scale can be found Here. One rating we have yet to see on commercially released games, is an Adults Only title. There is an extreme hypocrisy within this rating system. The Adults Only rating symbolizes that somewhere out there they have a game meant for Adults. Someone who can handle all the blood, gore, sex & naughty language they desire. Why can’t we find a game such as this? Everything is dramatically scaled back to produce a Mature rating, which is meant for gamers of 17 and older. Lets look at a recently reviewed Manhunt 2.
Everyone has, or will read that Manhunt 2 was given an Adults Only rating, essentially eliminating this game from release, screwing Take 2, and the potential millions of people waiting for its release. Normally one would assume that this would not produce a problem, until you understood that this meant you will never see it. Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo, all prevent Adult Only titles from being released on their respective consoles. This will mean that we will have a toned down, less violent, less vivid version of Manhunt 2, and a leaked PS2 version with the full violence in tact.
The reason to bring up the leaked violent version is because its HOT! There are pictures and videos spreading all around the net, and torrents like mad, and a ton of eager people looking to entertain themselves with what they have wanted all along - the game the developers wanted all along.
So now we have more piracy in the industry; well done. The sales of the Manhunt edited version will never match what it would have been in all its gory-glory. In a recent study it was reported that Mature rated titles, comprising 10% of all US retail games examined, have both the highest average Metacritic scores, and the highest average gross sales in the United States. This is all despite it not being offered for sale at some of the major retailers.
When will Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo, all going to acknowledge these facts? When are they going to allow their customers the freedom to choose, and govern for themselves (just like the U.S. Government thinks we can’t do either). What do you think, should Adult Only games be released, even if they are not carried by all major retailers? If it were our decision, yes. There are Parental controls on every console this generation. There’s supposed to be at least one parent for every family, so do your job, pay attention to what you buy your kid, or what they are playing. We have extremely expensive consoles, (requiring someone with some kind of substantial income), and the age of the Average gamers now are 33! Almost 50% of all gamers are between the ages of 18 - 49! There IS a demographic for Adults Only Titles.
Anyone over 21; it means you are old enough to buy porno, alcohol, a pack of cigarettes, go to a rated R movie with; tons of nudity, violence, and profane language. When it comes to videogame titles though, it’s like they are still living in the dark ages when it comes to regulating the content. Some people emphasize the need for content of this nature to be released, because of all the recent media attention brought to this subject - Hot Coffee, Jack Thompson, Gears of War, Manhunt, and recently Ninja Gaiden 2.
As a general train of thought, the rules should apply universally (we know they don’t). If adult content can be released on Satellite Radio, in Music, and Movies, or even late night HBO (And Cinimax!), then why can’t we have it in a videogame? If Target or Wal-mart refused to stock it, then EB and Gamestop can stock it behind the counter, and ID customers who wish to buy it. Finally; in todays age though, nothing would prevent a developer like Take 2, from selling their title exclusively online, and shipping it directly to customers on a per-copy basis.
http://www.xbox360-hacks.com/2007/09/14/why-wont-microsoft-sony-nintendo-let-us-have-adults-only-rated-games/
I can understand that they're afraid of low sales, or why a company like Nintendo, which is thought of as more kid friendly, wouldn't want Ao games on their system, but its an intriguing question.
The ESRB has a “standard” ratings system which it uses to categorize what criteria determines which demographic a video game falls under. This scale can be found Here. One rating we have yet to see on commercially released games, is an Adults Only title. There is an extreme hypocrisy within this rating system. The Adults Only rating symbolizes that somewhere out there they have a game meant for Adults. Someone who can handle all the blood, gore, sex & naughty language they desire. Why can’t we find a game such as this? Everything is dramatically scaled back to produce a Mature rating, which is meant for gamers of 17 and older. Lets look at a recently reviewed Manhunt 2.
Everyone has, or will read that Manhunt 2 was given an Adults Only rating, essentially eliminating this game from release, screwing Take 2, and the potential millions of people waiting for its release. Normally one would assume that this would not produce a problem, until you understood that this meant you will never see it. Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo, all prevent Adult Only titles from being released on their respective consoles. This will mean that we will have a toned down, less violent, less vivid version of Manhunt 2, and a leaked PS2 version with the full violence in tact.
The reason to bring up the leaked violent version is because its HOT! There are pictures and videos spreading all around the net, and torrents like mad, and a ton of eager people looking to entertain themselves with what they have wanted all along - the game the developers wanted all along.
So now we have more piracy in the industry; well done. The sales of the Manhunt edited version will never match what it would have been in all its gory-glory. In a recent study it was reported that Mature rated titles, comprising 10% of all US retail games examined, have both the highest average Metacritic scores, and the highest average gross sales in the United States. This is all despite it not being offered for sale at some of the major retailers.
When will Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo, all going to acknowledge these facts? When are they going to allow their customers the freedom to choose, and govern for themselves (just like the U.S. Government thinks we can’t do either). What do you think, should Adult Only games be released, even if they are not carried by all major retailers? If it were our decision, yes. There are Parental controls on every console this generation. There’s supposed to be at least one parent for every family, so do your job, pay attention to what you buy your kid, or what they are playing. We have extremely expensive consoles, (requiring someone with some kind of substantial income), and the age of the Average gamers now are 33! Almost 50% of all gamers are between the ages of 18 - 49! There IS a demographic for Adults Only Titles.
Anyone over 21; it means you are old enough to buy porno, alcohol, a pack of cigarettes, go to a rated R movie with; tons of nudity, violence, and profane language. When it comes to videogame titles though, it’s like they are still living in the dark ages when it comes to regulating the content. Some people emphasize the need for content of this nature to be released, because of all the recent media attention brought to this subject - Hot Coffee, Jack Thompson, Gears of War, Manhunt, and recently Ninja Gaiden 2.
As a general train of thought, the rules should apply universally (we know they don’t). If adult content can be released on Satellite Radio, in Music, and Movies, or even late night HBO (And Cinimax!), then why can’t we have it in a videogame? If Target or Wal-mart refused to stock it, then EB and Gamestop can stock it behind the counter, and ID customers who wish to buy it. Finally; in todays age though, nothing would prevent a developer like Take 2, from selling their title exclusively online, and shipping it directly to customers on a per-copy basis.
http://www.xbox360-hacks.com/2007/09/14/why-wont-microsoft-sony-nintendo-let-us-have-adults-only-rated-games/
I can understand that they're afraid of low sales, or why a company like Nintendo, which is thought of as more kid friendly, wouldn't want Ao games on their system, but its an intriguing question.