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Category — Game Ratings
UK’s Video Appeals Committee Rules in Favour of Manhunt 2 – Again
Categories: Decisions • Game Bans • Game Ratings
In June 2007, the British Board of Film Classification refused to rate Rockstar’s highly violent and controversial video game Manhunt 2 – effectively banning it from distribution in the U.K. The BBFC called it “unremittingly bleak, callous and sadistic”. An edited version of the game was submitted to the BBFC in October 2007. It too was effectively banned. This was the first video game ban in Britain since 1997.
Rockstar appealed the ban to the Video Appeals Committee of the BBFC which ruled last December, 4 to 3, in Rockstar’s favour. The BBFC sought judicial review of the VAC’s decision from the British High Court. The court found that VAC’s decision was flawed by a clear error of law (see here, here and here). The High Court requested the VAC to reconsider its decision under new guidelines specified by the court.
In January 2008, the VAC did reconsider under the new guidelines but voted once again, 4 to 3, in favour of giving the game a certificate 18 rating, meaning it can be sold in Britain but is suitable for adults only.
In view of the second ruling, the BBFC released a statement saying it will not challenge the ruling any further and will issue the ‘18′ rating. The edited version of the game (which is the same as the ‘reworked’ version of the game released in the U.S. under an “M’ rating) is expected to be on U.K. store shelves in June.
Click here for Wikipedia’s Timeline.
Dale’s Note: I have not yet found the text of the High Court decision or the ‘new guidelines’ it presented to the VAC. If I do, I will post them here.
Sources: BBC | Telegraph.co.uk | GameIndustry.biz 1| GameIndustry.biz 2 | MCV | BCS | Joystiq | Computer Active | Dose.ca | vnunet.com | Games Digest | EuroGamer 1 | EuroGamer 2
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Del.icio.us Midway Blitz – Yet Another Video Game Banned in Australia
Categories: Game Bans • Game Ratings
Midway Blitz becomes the latest video game to be denied an official age classification in Australia by the OFLC, making it illegal for the game to be sold, hired, advertised or exhibited in the country. This time it was denied classification because of drug use by some game characters. The OFLC Media Release reads, in part:
Specifically, in the course of the game, the player may access what are purported to be both legal and illegal performance-enhancing drugs for the members of their team. Choosing to use these drugs, which each have different characteristics, will have effects on team-members, such as improving their speed while also making them more susceptible to injury. Fake urine samples may also be acquired for avoiding positive drug tests.
While the game-player can choose not to use the drugs, in the Board’s view there is an incentive to use them. By using them judiciously, the player can improve the performance of their football team (while managing the negative effects) and have a better chance of winning games, thereby winning bets and climbing the league table.
Blitz’s local distributor Red Ant, has not decided yet whether to appeal.
Sources: GamePolitics.com | GameSpot | OFLC Media Release 
EU Considers Unified Violent Games Restrictions
Categories: Game Ratings • Legal Reform • Violent Game Laws
Germany is leading the European Union in calling for the EU to adopt an Europe-wide standardized labeling system with age restrictions and warnings. Each country would be free to set their own ratings.
Sources: Gamasutra | GamePolitics.com
Germany Restricts Crackdown Sales
Categories: Game Bans • Game Ratings • Violent Game Law Cases
Along with Gears of War and Dead Rising before it, Germany’s USK has decided not to rate the video Crackdown. The result is not a total game ban. However, the game cannot be sold to minors, cannot be marketed in Germany and stores cannot display it on racks. Rather, it can only be sold to adults from under the counter.
Dale’s Comment: Crackdown has been one of my most enjoyed 360 games in the first quarter of 2007. Importantly, the May 16 Halo 3 public demo of will only be available to a select few and those that purchase specially marked Crackddown units. There will be more than a few disappointed minors in Germany looking forward to playing the Halo 3 public demo.
Sources: GameSpot | GamePolitics.com | Business Week
Nassau County New York Mandates ESRB Ratings Signage
Categories: Child Sale Restrictions • Game Ratings • New Laws • Retail Sales
Following both the States of Georgia and Washington, New York State county, Nassau, enacted a law requiring video game retailers to post signs explaining the ERSB rating system.
Source: GamePolitics.com
Finland Adopts PEGI Rating System in Law
Categories: Game Ratings • Legal Reform
Unofficial Translation of Law
Finland has enshrined the The Pan European Game Information (PEGI) rating system as law. According to the PEGI press release:
The Finnish Parliament passed a revision to the Act on Classification of Audiovisual Programs enabling the recognition of all PEGI age classifications into Finnish Law. From the outset, i.e. April2003, PEGI ratings have been endorsed by the Finnish Board of Film Classification on the basis of the Act on Classification of Audiovisual Programs. Article 12, however, provided for 11 and 15 age categories instead of the PEGI 12+ and 16+ respectively. By revising article 12, the Finnish Parliament has now fully acknowledged the PEGI system into its legislation. From January 1, 2007 onwards, all the PEGI age categories (3+, 7+, 12+, 16+ and 18+) will be in use on video games sold in Finland.
Sources: GamePolitics.com | GameDaily.biz | PEGI Press Release
Hot Coffee’s Effects on the Mod Scene
Categories: Featured Articles • Game Ratings • Modding Cases • Sexuality Cases
This Gamasutra feature article is a very interesting article on the Effects of ‘Hot Coffee’ on the game modding scene. Mods can inprove and extend the life of video games but since Hot Coffee, there is a keen awareness of the liability that game modding can expose developers and publishers to.
Sources: Gamasutra
‘Hot Coffee’ Related Posts:
- Hot Coffee’s Effects on the Mod Scene (October 27, 2006)
- ESRB Demands U.S. Game Publisher Audits for Hidden Game Content (September 12, 2005)
- ESRB Re-Rates Oblivion to Mature Following 3rd Party Mods (May 3, 2006)
- Take-Two Filing Reveals Multiple Lawsuits (February 1, 2006)
- Hot Coffee Spills into Australia as GTA:San Andreas is Banned (August 1, 2005)
- GTA San Andreas Rerated AO, Take-Two Suspends Production (July 20, 2005)
- Confirmed: ‘Hot Coffee’ Sex Minigame in PS2 GTA: San Andreas (July 15, 2005)
How the PEGI and BBFC Rating Systems Work
Categories: Featured Articles • Game Ratings
In this Gamasutra article, members from the PEGI (Pan European Game Information) and the BBFC (British Board of Film classification) game rating systems work.
Source: Gamasutra
Congressman Joe Pitts Claims his Video Game Comments were Misportrayed in Daily Show Lampoon
Categories: Game Ratings • Humour • Legal Reform • Policy Analysis • Violent Game Laws
After raising many eyebrows with his comments, Congressman Joe Pitts claims his statements on the affects of violent video games on children aired in a June 22 Daily Show segment were misportrayed.
Sources: DailyLocal.com | GamePolitics | Joystiq | YouTube Video (snippet)
Click here to view YouTube video.
Dale’s Comment: It’s hard to understand how Congressman’s Pitt’s comments could have been misportrayed. They were aired uncut. This is simply another example of a (probably) well intentioned, aging, out of touch Senator speaking on a subject he does not understand. Sounds like Washington as usual to me.
Related Posts:
Jon Stewart on Congressional Debate over Video Games
Categories: Game Ratings • Humour • Legal Reform • Policy Analysis • Violent Game Laws
In this Daily Show clip, Jon Stewart lampoons Congressman Joe Pitts’ Lack of understanding of the video game industry, affects of violence on children and the ESRB rating system.
Sources: YouTube Video (snippet) | joystiq | GamePolitics | Gamasutra | GameIndustry.biz
Click here to view YouTube video.
Related Posts:
- Congressman Joe Pitts Claims his Video Game Comments were Misportrayed in Daily Show Lampoon (July 8, 2006)
- Jon Stewart on Congressional Debate over Video Games (June 22, 2006)
