No AO rated games on consoles, no AO rated games in stores and sometimes ratings of games don’t match the description of the rating. Whats the deal? Do you honestly call this smart business? Honest business? Give me a break, this self-regulation system we are currently stuck in is a joke and you know it. I’m not saying self-regulation is wrong but the only valid argument I seem to hear is that its this or federal regulation and that itself isn’t exactly a valid argument because the first amendment protects against that. It would just be a matter of fighting off the federal government.
So basically what I’m saying is I think that video game retailers, Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony are making poor business decisions for their consumers and for their stockholders. Also I think the ESRB should be replaced or revised. I don’t think the system is working correctly(or at least as far as gamer and game developers are concerned). I don’t expect anyone to agree with me and I know groups I support don’t agree with me but I still think I’m correct.
First we have the console manufacturers. Their goals are pretty simple. They are supposed to make money and make products available to consumers. They currently are turning their backs on all AO rated products. This seems like it isn’t a big deal because there aren’t many AO rated games and it gives them a “cleaner” image to their consumers. Bullshit. It is a foolish practice because the reason there aren’t many AO games is partially because of their policy. Sure they have a the right to put limits on their products but they have an obligation to their stockholders to make money. I wont buy into the argument that they are trying to please the parents and maintain a good image. I’m sorry, dude, even Nintendo allowed Manhunt 2 to be released on their console. You killed it then if you even had it before. Oh yea, you can watch porn on the Wii. Microsoft and Sony are even more guilty of that. They want a console for everybody but they are leaving out the AO crowd. Sure you can pass it off that there isn’t a big AO crowd but how would anyone know? Currently the only market AO rated games have is on-line distributed computer games.
Retailers sell unrated movies but not AO games. Are you serious? Do I even need to go into why this is wrong? You claim that allowing AO rated games into retail stores means they would be selling porn but the ESRB’s rating system allows video games to be rated AO and not be pornographic. Sure that is probably due to the ESRB’s rating system being ineffective but the retailers share some of the blame, especially when they sell unrated DVDs.
Why can’t the video game industry be as intense as the music industry. I mean the music industry has already peaked in terms of offensive content. Master P – Ghetto D teaches you how to make and sell crack cocaine, Misfits -Bullet talks about John F Kennedy getting shot in the face and his wife Jackie drinking semen, Cannibal Corpse – Necropedophile is…. well its about a necropedophile. Every one of these songs are over a decade old. Perhaps these songs are done in poor taste but they are entertaining and really that’s the purpose of music. Hell its the job of the games too. If I can’t entertain someone I probably won’t be too successful.
Maybe the game industry isn’t ready yet… but I think it is getting close.
No Comments Yet
No comments yet.
Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI
Leave a comment
