Comments on: Manhunt 2 To Be Released in the UK http://www.paulmc.org/whatithink/2008/03/14/manhunt-2-to-be-released-in-the-uk/ This Blog is Dead. It is an ex-Blog. It has shuffled off this mortal coil and joined the choir invisible. Sun, 27 Dec 2009 12:03:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: paulmc http://www.paulmc.org/whatithink/2008/03/14/manhunt-2-to-be-released-in-the-uk/#comment-5112 paulmc Sat, 22 Mar 2008 09:46:53 +0000 http://www.paulmc.org/whatithink/2008/03/14/manhunt-2-to-be-released-in-the-uk/#comment-5112 When the BBFC and the IFCO were initially set-up, it was their job to censor material that was not thought to be fit for public consumption. In recent years, the BBFC and IFCO have moved away from censoring material to providing age guidelines/restrictions on material to be released. This move has been solidified by the fact that the IFCO recently changed it's name from the "Irish Film Censors Office" to the "Irish Film Classification Office". I believe that consumers should be given the choice as to whether they should buy an over-18's video game, film, or any other material, so long at that material does not contravene our already existing laws protecting children, e.g. paedophillia is illegal, and very rightly so. In order for consumers to be given the choice, there must be a strict adherence to the age classifications decided upon by the BBFC or the IFCO. Retailers who sell, or provide access, to material not deemed fit for minors should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. The law is there, it should be enforced. I don't think that anyone can argue that under 18's should be allowed to play games like Manhunt 2, and when the developer themselves acknowledges this fact, then I don't see what possible reason the BBFC and the IFCO have to ban the game. Personally, I have no interest in buying or playing Manhunt 2. I do believe that Rockstar should be allowed to sell the game to people who have made an informed decision to play Manhunt 2. When the BBFC and the IFCO were initially set-up, it was their job to censor material that was not thought to be fit for public consumption. In recent years, the BBFC and IFCO have moved away from censoring material to providing age guidelines/restrictions on material to be released. This move has been solidified by the fact that the IFCO recently changed it’s name from the “Irish Film Censors Office” to the “Irish Film Classification Office”.

I believe that consumers should be given the choice as to whether they should buy an over-18’s video game, film, or any other material, so long at that material does not contravene our already existing laws protecting children, e.g. paedophillia is illegal, and very rightly so.

In order for consumers to be given the choice, there must be a strict adherence to the age classifications decided upon by the BBFC or the IFCO. Retailers who sell, or provide access, to material not deemed fit for minors should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. The law is there, it should be enforced.

I don’t think that anyone can argue that under 18’s should be allowed to play games like Manhunt 2, and when the developer themselves acknowledges this fact, then I don’t see what possible reason the BBFC and the IFCO have to ban the game.

Personally, I have no interest in buying or playing Manhunt 2. I do believe that Rockstar should be allowed to sell the game to people who have made an informed decision to play Manhunt 2.

]]> By: James I http://www.paulmc.org/whatithink/2008/03/14/manhunt-2-to-be-released-in-the-uk/#comment-5099 James I Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:56:04 +0000 http://www.paulmc.org/whatithink/2008/03/14/manhunt-2-to-be-released-in-the-uk/#comment-5099 It's unfortunate that the BBFC, and the MPs in Parliament (the effects of video games have been raised at least three times in Prime Minister's questions over the last few months - Keith Vaz being the worst offender) are stuck in the Stone Ages about this. Rockstar are fully aware of the potential detrimental effects their games could have on impressionable youngsters, that's why they would voluntarily put an 'Adults Only' or '18+' label on their products if they could. But Free Expression is being considerably chilled here, especially if a video/movie producer thinks they won't be able to make any sales of their products that might offend a prudish MP, they aren't even going to bother making the game/movie in the first place. It’s unfortunate that the BBFC, and the MPs in Parliament (the effects of video games have been raised at least three times in Prime Minister’s questions over the last few months – Keith Vaz being the worst offender) are stuck in the Stone Ages about this. Rockstar are fully aware of the potential detrimental effects their games could have on impressionable youngsters, that’s why they would voluntarily put an ‘Adults Only’ or ‘18+’ label on their products if they could. But Free Expression is being considerably chilled here, especially if a video/movie producer thinks they won’t be able to make any sales of their products that might offend a prudish MP, they aren’t even going to bother making the game/movie in the first place.

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