Paul Jackson, Director General of ELSPA has released a statement supporting the BBFC's ever so slightly draconian treatment of Manhunt 2, in which he states:
A decision from the BBFC such as this demonstrates that we have a games ratings system in the UK that is effective. It shows it works and works well. Any decision the BBFC takes, it takes on the basis of its remit to rate on screen entertainment.
The games industry is a creative phenomenon that produces all kinds of games across all kinds of genres that appeal to all kinds of people across the country, young and old, male and female. The important thing to know is that all games are rated according to age suitability, with over 70 per cent of games being available to all ages over three years.
Hit the jump for an analysis.
While it's disappointing that the association set up to represent the British gaming industry seems to be rolling over so happily on this issue, what's even more eyebrow-raising is how Jackson chooses to justify his stance. We have here a situation in which a piece of entertainment directed towards the adult market has been banned instead of rated accordingly for that market, and that surely can't show faith in an "effective" system.
Does it really speak volumes for a ratings system if the BBFC doesn't seem to respect it enough to actually use it, and instead chooses to sidestep it and throw out an outright ban? In this media-savvy age in which gaming has grown far beyond the old perception of being a kids' amusement and matured into an eclectic and all-encompassing entertainment medium, appropriate, responsibly enforced age ratings are only right and correct. However they are rendered not worth a damn if a self-imposed elite such as the BBFC is allowed to overrule their use.
ELSPA is supposed to protect the interests of the industry, with ratings as a major priority. To allow the system it's so proud of to be so easily brushed aside by a sanctimonious and secretive Big Brother organisation is akin to handing over its lunch money to the school bully and admitting it was wrong to try to keep it. As Mr. Jackson states in his second paragraph, games are for every demographic now, and as such, ratings are an important part of the business, as is the case for the movie industry.
What is distasteful about that paragraph however, is the way in which Jackson feels the need to justify that truth with a disclaimer that most games still get a universal rating. The games industry is a creative phenomenon, but it may not always stay that way if its guardians act so apologetically in regards to controversial and boundary-pushing material. With the best will in the world, his statement that "games are rated according to age suitability" is an absolute fallacy in light of this week's events. If that were true, we'd have Manhunt 2 accepted as an extreme adult title and given a fitting adult rating. As it is, we're told that as adult gamers with freedom of choice and personal critical faculties, we can't be trusted, as apparently we're not adult enough. And that just makes a mockery of the whole rating system.
There is a glimmer of hope however, in the fact that while ELSPA may not be choosing to fight the decision, Jackson has at least questioned the wording of the BBFC's statement.
I would say that I was surprised at some of the language the BBFC used when they reported on the matter, but we'll be talking to them about that separately.
That can only be a good thing, as while the prospect is unlikely, that talk could go some way in at least making the BBFC speak more specifically about its problems with Manhunt 2. So far, everything we've had has been incredibly abstract and uniformly uninformative.
But as he prepares to head over there, Jackson would do well to take a piece of advice from a comment he himself made to GamesIndustry.biz.
With any truly cultural industry, the creativity within that industry will always push the boundaries. It's what creative people do, and that's excellent.
Yes it is excellent. So think carefully about just why it's excellent before you start being apologetic this time Mr. Jackson
[Via GamesIndustry.biz]
Contest:
4:01 PM on 06.20.2007
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Where is this proof of an effective system? It proves the system is INeffective, because it's made people want to import the game which is illegal, hence the only thing the BBFC's decision did is INCREASE the crime rate, not decrease it.
See? I back up my statements with a real explanation. This hypocrite needs to do the same.
And the BBFC's decision is counter-productive. They know full well that controversy causes sales, as must ELSPA.
What I really love about this whole mess though, is that a BBFC study a while back admitted exactly that, as well as debunking the entire "games as a negative influence" argument. Check it out at http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=24250.
That report rounds off with the statement from the report that the first Manhunt was a very good and moral game, and that it's a shame that the games industry didn't stand up for it. Let's not let that happen this time shall we?
It's articles like this that make me glad we can have serious debates AND have a lugh at the same time.
This response from the ELSPA is laughable.
In fact, this whole situation is laughable. There should be no distinction between any form of media whatsoever.
It's a joke.
Loving the coverage of this situation though guys, keep it coming.
1. delay the release to get a m rating and fix it
2. leave it as is and sell the AO and later release a special release
Im ganna cry
I think as a manner of protest Rockstar should replace all the human models with robots, make the blood brown/black and release it in the UK as Probohunt 2.
In other news, I'm looking forward to Hero Gaiden DS.
What a good comparison.
I want to know more about this Video Recordings Act - why they cited that and not the ELSPA guidelines. There's something fishy here - the BBFC know they've got a weak case for banning the game, which is why the news was released along with some heavily emotive stuff about Jamie Bulger appearing in Law and Order.
And to think they gave a rating to Hostel 2 without so much as a nip or a tuck.
Sorry if someone already mentioned it, i didnt read all the comments and just wanted to post it fast
Link using lame BBCode
This is so absurd. Is this game THAT much worse than the first one? I fail to see how a sequel that is most likely more of the same (a good thing!), just with enhanced graphics, can deserve this much hate.
That's like saying the Empire Strikes Back should be banned because it took everything good from the original and improved on it, without any really drastic changes. Absolutely absurd.
So here's a guide to exposing the illogical BBFC decision:
1. Do not get into a dialogue with the BBFC, it will lead nowhere, no progress will be made and you simply cannot win, opinions of gamers have absolutley no weight, they know this and will quite happily have a discussion of opinions because they know that opinions will change nothing no matter how passionate or numerous they are.
2. Do not point out where the BBFC is wrong or why they are wrong, this agian is just a debate of opinions. Opinion debates are what the BBFC is hoping for, it is their forcefield around their Deathstar, opinion debates are inpenetrable and pointless against large organisations.
3. Do organize a research method, gather as much info on the subject of violence in other forms of digital entertainment.
4. Do gather as much scientific evidence as possible, since science is on our side in this case, we can really go to town here. How does simulated vioelnce in a game emtionally and psychologically register in comparison to simulated violence in other forms of digital media? Studies show that games cannot compete with films when it comes to the emotional and psychological affect of simulated violence, basically, a violent film watched by an 18 year old provides many more emotional and psychological problems than a person in their mid twenties playing Manhunt 2. The human mind still doesn't recognize videogame characters as complex human beings nor does it empathize with game characters in the way that it does with characters in film or in TV soaps. Psycologically and emotionally a gamer is always aware that a game is a game, they may be immersed in the experience, but that experience remains fictional whereas film and TV can step over the fictional line in people's minds.
The scientific evidence based response to the BBFC is the only way forward, I keep on repeating this because I can feel this moment slipping away and becoming yet another opinions debate which we can't win. Also, if we take the scientific direction we raise this problem to a higher level and involve serious thinkers instead of recationary monkey's with no reason to their thought process, we raise the problem and expose this problem to the intelligent people out there who will 100% prove that this BBFC slap in the face to evolution is ridiculous.
Dear Rockstar,
We think the BBFC is right to ban the game you have spent a lot of time, effort and millions of dollars to make. So screw you.
-ESLA
PS- Just a reminder, your costly membership fees are due at the end of the month. These fees allow us to provide you great service and help you when you need us most.
bleh...
" MANHUNT 2 VIDEO GAME PROHIBITED
A prohibition order has been made by IFCO in relation to the video game Manhunt 2. The Order was made on 18th June 2007 under Sec 7 (1) (b) of the Video Recordings Act 1989 which refers to ‘acts of gross violence or cruelty (including mutilation and torture)’.
IFCO recognizes that in certain films, DVDs and video games, strong graphic violence may be a justifiable element within the overall context of the work. However, in the case of Manhunt 2, IFCO believes that there is no such context, and the level of gross, unrelenting and gratuitous violence is unacceptable. "
Via IFCO
Sony, Nintendo forbid AO-rated Manhunt 2
Console-makers confirm policies preventing licensed third parties from releasing Adults Only games on their systems, effectively banning the Rockstar title.
Though I have to say, I think I'm in the camp of the ELSPA on this one. See my comment in the Sterling article for details on that, rather than igniting the flames here as well.
...more to do with the last title but still relevant...
oops...
When you kill fake people by pulling a trigger control on a gamepad, do they not still die the same fake death that they would under a different control scheme?
Is this just the government trying to tell us it is ok to kill fake people if you don't have to wiggle your hand to do so?
I think it is.
From now on, I am going to physically jump when I smash the fake life out of a goomba in SMB.
I will await the authorities confiscating my ability to defy gravity for short periods of time henceforth.
Houghton, I think you might be missing the point concentrating solely on digital media - I think you need to include ALL media.