Manhunt 2 denied certification in UK

[IBM]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6225286.stm

What do you peeps think about this?

Personally, although I agree with Rockstar's statement "The stories in modern videogames are as diverse as the stories in books, film and television. The adult consumers who would play this game fully understand that it is fictional interactive entertainment and nothing more." I still think that the fact that the main character in the game is controlled by the individual, not the story teller, that allows, and actively encourages "casual sadism" and multiple murder says a lot about society.

Where is the line drawn? What happens when it's all photo realistic, or Better Than Life? Is it permissable? If you're allowed to kill your boss in a immersive VR environment, are you more or less likely to do it in real life? And if it's all about the individual, crazy people pushed over the edge by video game, then do people need psych tests before they're allowed to play such games?

And just in case people missed the gaming.hexus article, you can find it

http://gaming.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=9133

[Dorza]

Personally I hate the fact that games are being used as a scape goat. There are films out there that are on a whole different gore level compared to games, yet no one seems to kick up much fuss about them.

[IBM]

Trying to look at it from the certification board's point of view, while there are films out that containing exceptionally high levels of gore/violence/death, the person watching the film isn't controlling the actions of the character. The actions depicted on screen are at the direction of the creator, for specific effect, to assist with the overall theme to the film, while in Manhunt 2 the player is the one doing the killing, instigating the violence, and generally encouraged to be a sadist.

[kalniel]

It's based on the premise that there are just some things that even adults should not be exposed to. Just as films are censored if they feature extreme violence/sexual violence/cruelty to children etc. etc. the same applies to video games.

Whether that premise is true or not is another debate, but at least they are being consistent here accross medias. A film featuring the things you can do in Manhunt 2 would be censored just as much.

[kalniel]

Also, see thread here:
Headline :: Manhunt 2 banned in the UK

and here:
Headline :: Rockstar set to appeal against ManHunt 2 ban?

[directhex]

research shows people who play violent games are, on average, less inclined towards violence, and show a significantly more negative reaction to violent situations compared to people who watch violent movies

just something to think on, mmkay?

[IBM]

Although it might be worth considering that although violent video games (including presumably everything from C&C to Grand Turismo - does vehicular violence count) have this effect, what effect does a game have which sets out for your character to be the most violent and cruel it can be?