As Rockstar's appeal to have Manhunt 2 unbanned in the UK gets going, the BBFC has admitted that no evidence of a connection between videogames and real-world violence exists. It has, however, maintained that such a connection has not been outright disproven -- it's just that no proof has been found yet.
"The board's position is that there is insufficient evidence to prove, as a fact, there is a causal connection between violent games and behavioural harm," declared a BBFC spokesman. "It's a perfectly fair point, and one which we accept, but it's not by any means a complete answer to the question the [Video Appeals Committee] has to decide."
The BBFC also addressed arguments that games should be held to the same standards as movies. The board disagreed with these arguments, stating that in movies, you identify more with the victims than the killers, contrasting games that put a weapon in your hand and "reward" you for killing "in the bloodiest way possible." I do, however, question such statements when movies like the brilliant but disturbing Ichi The Killer exist, a movie about Japanese gangs in which the main characters are sadists, rapists and murderers and there is very little regard for victims of any kind.
As the appeal continues, I can only hope that Manhunt 2 sees a release in the UK -- not because I want to play it, but because I don't want a worrying new precedent to remain set.
Contest:
7:02 PM on 11.26.2007
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That and there will always be people who identify with the lunatics and killers in any film anyway. I also loathe the "not proven, yet" thought process, to quote Sideshow Bob, "Do they give out a Nobel Prize for attempted chemistry".
No, people absorb media messages in myriad ways and the simple proof that this is all nonsense is in the fact that society hasn't degenerated into an orgy of game inspired violence. Fucking idiots.
I really wish people would stop dodging around the issue and claim whether or not videogames really cause violence.
I love Hannibal, but that film does more to romanticize serial killers than any game.
Well, you know what this means, time for a good, old fashioned book burning before I lose my mind and begin eating people.
Whilst I want Manhunt 2 to be released as, like everyone else, I disagree with censorship. I'm kind of glad it isn't as the rags can't use it as a scapegoat in the near future when someone decides to kill someone else.
I think the blame likes within society though, if we didn't hav such a blame culture, then Manhunt 2 would be released. It's like food, McDonalds, say, is blamed for making kids obese, but McDonalds aren't forcing kids to eat their food at gun point, the kids are choosing to do so, wether thats down ot good marketing or not, its still, ultimately, the kids, or parents, lack of control thats making them obese...
And shame on those who say Ichi the Killer is a good movie. For shame... (It sucked. Hard.)
racist
That in and of itself is an art that takes talent and a freshly delivered truckload of balls.
Anything made by Rob Zombie will have you identifying with the killers, for good or for ill ( I thought Devils Rejects was terrible).
Also agreed with aborto on the Friday the 13th (part two, I can't exactly identify with a crazed mother either).
I blame the director.
Like I always said, their stance is one of double standards, because they asume games and the majority of them are violent, without any consequences, this differs as every game isn't the same as the last, but their words sound like they are painting it this way.
This fella disagrees.
The villains in horror movies are almost always more charismatic than the protagonists.
Well to be honest, he's NEVER going to top Happiness of the Katakuris.