I can tell you’re not familiar with the quick way of doing things. But then, it is Illegal.. *ahem*

Still, lobbying doesn’t usually work.

Hold on there, the last game the BBFC banned was Carmageddon. Well, before Manhunt 2.

Germany is far too tight, and Australia is a joke. They don’t even have an 18+ Rating (that’s roughly similar to an M for all the Yanks reading this. Yes, all three of you online).

However, this is more than killing time. It’s reading the thoughts of a well informed man, who isn’t up in arms about Manhunt. Now that is a paradox in it’s own right.

But then, it’s GamerDad i’m talking about. The best man the Industry has to speak out against these bans and ratings and all the other shit we get thrown at us by 90-year olds who think we’re all murderers.

Keep on truckin’, ’cause it was a pleasure to read this. Almost as good as my day off today.

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2007/10/30/couricandco/entry3432898.shtml#ccmm

In the first page, along the way, you will see a man named “Peter” who applauds Britain for the wholesale banning of games, and calls for the U.S. government to do the same. It’s like they do not even hear the opinions or reasonings of the people who ARE gamers, aged anywhere from 20 to 35 years old. That demographic doesn’t seem to exist to them–and similarly, their comments don’t exist as well.

It’s disconcerting. But then I hear about a Guam Senator (link below) who kicks back to a game of WoW, and I feel my faith in humanity rise again. You’re right–at this moment, the older generation of law-makers are making laws that’s most convenient for them–they don’t even know what games really are like today. I always thought people who made that comment were exaggerating or kidding. Now I’m making it (another “Yikes” moment).

http://www.thegamergene.com/pc/guam-senator-is-also-a-level-70-dwarf-priest-in-wow/

Maybe five years down the road, things will get better. Right now, it seems like the gaming industry is facing some of the harshest criticism since the days of Mortal Kombat’s green blood, which spawned the ESRB in the first place.

I’ve yet to meet a moderate or “reasonable” anti-video game person or parent. Generally the type that’s anti-games is the type who, whether far left or far right, wants to ban a lot of other things too. Some people are VERY fearful of violence, even virtual violence, and they want the government to intercede against what they see as a real danger and social ill. These people WANT studies to come out that show games cause violence. It’s almost like they WANT games to be dangerous, so they can be eradicated. Does that make sense? Not to me. But then again I’ve noticed that most people don’t get involved unless they have a stake. Very few politicians are gamers, so attacking this industry is – at this time in history – a “win” even if they lose.

It’s very frustrating because I’m idealistic enough to be surprised whenever I meet anyone who doesn’t really understand the First Amendment and what it’s for.

Then again, Britain, Germany and Australia ban games all the time. So there are entire countries who fail to see the danger of regulation of thought or ideas – even vile thought or ideas.
Does that answer your question Silphion?

I apologize that I really can’t make that more clear. But it does go back to the whole bit about letting Parents regulate the games they buy for kids and teens, rather than try to legislate and regulate retailers or (worse) developers. Have you ever posed this point to parents? If so, what was their reaction?

The only example I can think of is Soldier of Fortune II, where your hear people gurgling blood, screaming in agony, and so on … but again it isn’t torturous, it is just the ‘death cry’.