BBFC - Banned a Video Game!!

MoneyMiser

Hi All,

Not sure the type of reaction I'll get from this vent but here goes.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/7034267.stm

The link will take you to a BBC News article about a game the BBFC have banned called Manhunt 2. Now if any of you have played the first game you will be aware of the violence it involves. I played the first game and thought it was brilliant and couldn't wait for the follow up.

The second game was banned and after Rockstar toned it down a bit the BBFC still would not allow its release. My Vent is that who are the BBFC to tell me what I can and can't play or watch? Surely if I want the game I should be able to order it direct from Rockstar.

The BBC has highlighted a murder case where the victims parents blamed the murder on the original Manhunt game. The police couldn't confirm this. I would say that 95% of people know the difference between right and wrong and no video game or film would pursuade anyone to go out and copy the content.

Anyone got any thoughts or opinions on this?

Sssssss

yeah take a look out the window and see how society has changed over the years

yobs everywhere, no manners, voilence in the school is the norm now, and it's partly due to these types of video games.

In my day we played monopoly, board games or even got out to the park and worked out our energy doing sports.

good for the BBFC.

dmg24

I would say that 95% of people know the difference between right and wrong and no video game or film would pursuade anyone to go out and copy the content.

Sadly the 5% are more dangerous than the rest put together, hence the reason for the banning of the game.

Video games and films do influence people in everyday life. Usually in a harmless way, such as influencing how people dress, but you are always going to get cranks who just take it too far.

Why would you want to play such a violent game anyway? To me there has to be something wrong with someone who even wants to 'pretend' to act in such a way.

MoneyMiser

Sssssss wrote: »

yeah take a look out the window and see how society has changed over the years

yobs everywhere, no manners, voilence in the school is the norm now, and it's partly due to these types of video games.

In my day we played monopoly, board games or even got out to the park and worked out our energy doing sports.

good for the BBFC.

I see your point with the way society is today as it is highlighted in the news on nearly a daily basis.

But surely in the 'Good Old Days' there was still crime and violence happening outside. These days there is so much "Media coverage" that they have to "sensationalise" the smallest things. Rude children are a direct reflection of rude parents. Then becasue of the interest drummed up by the media, nose-poker-inners like the BBFC decide to tell us ALL how to live.

superscaper

There was a statistic recently about how in the same time the number of murders overall has gone down, the number of murders covered by the media (amount of airtime they get) has gone up drastically.

As for increase in violence and increase in amount of violent "entertainment" that's nothing more than a correlation and nobody has been able to demonstrate a causal link or even if it is the other way around (a more violent society causes more violent entertainment to be made). Personally I don't subscibe to the oversimplification that violent entertainment increases amount of violence. I remember one study that showed people who would have been violent actually expel their violent urges in violent video games and so in that particular study violent video games caused a decrease in violence.

froggy_girl128

I loved Manhunt :-) what a great game, yes it is violent but no more than films I've seen and it didn't turn me into a murderer. Its an 18+ game after all

dmg24

MoneyMiser wrote: »

I see your point with the way society is today as it is highlighted in the news on nearly a daily basis.

But surely in the 'Good Old Days' there was still crime and violence happening outside. These days there is so much "Media coverage" that they have to "sensationalise" the smallest things. Rude children are a direct reflection of rude parents. Then becasue of the interest drummed up by the media, nose-poker-inners like the BBFC decide to tell us ALL how to live.

I assume you do not have children? If so, you would know that 'rude children' are not necessarily a 'direct reflection of rude parents'. Yes, sometimes they are, but children also pick up behaviour from others in society, be they real people or characters on tv and in games. Why do so many teenagers talk like Vicky Pollard? I doubt the majority have picked it up from their parents.

So what do you think that the BBFC should do? Allow it to be sold only to those who are not going to take physical actions as a result of playing it? How would you manage that?!

dmg24

froggy_girl128 wrote: »

I loved Manhunt :-) what a great game, yes it is violent but no more than films I've seen and it didn't turn me into a murderer. Its an 18+ game after all

So over 18's do not commit violent crimes?!! :rolleyes:

BigDave_Cash_Saver

I have played manhunt and, to my knowledge, I have never felt the need to wander down the road and Murder somebody with a Hammer. I am also currently playing the Scarface Game, and again – I don’t recall running down the street with an AK-47 shooting people up and calling them M0*th£r F*(ke*s!



The problem we are faced with is that a lot of people are either Ill or Stupid, I have no doubt they would act the was they would if they had grown up playing Manhunt or Super Mario, The parents are to blame and, as usual, the few spoil things for the masses. Then the Media lieks to whip up a good frenzy to sell a few more rags. :A

What amazes me is that somebody over 18 can go out and my buy the most disgusting !!!!!! known to man, but can’t buy a video game – They can also drink themselves into a frenzy - Surely double standards on a moralistic front?;)

Basically we have to realize that freedom of speech, freedom of movement and the right of personal choice no longer exist. :mad: :mad:

superscaper

froggy_girl128 wrote: »

I loved Manhunt :-) what a great game, yes it is violent but no more than films I've seen and it didn't turn me into a murderer. Its an 18+ game after all

This is what people seem to completely ignore. People (especially the media) think Video games = played by children. The average age of a video game player is 33. There are classifications for games. If parents or shopowners ignore that, is that the game makers fault? No and it should have no bearing on the future content of their games. If a parent lets a 12 year old drive a car, is that the car manufacturer's fault?

MoneyMiser

dmg24 wrote: »

I assume you do not have children? If so, you would know that 'rude children' are not necessarily a 'direct reflection of rude parents'. Yes, sometimes they are, but children also pick up behaviour from others in society, be they real people or characters on tv and in games. Why do so many teenagers talk like Vicky Pollard? I doubt the majority have picked it up from their parents.

So what do you think that the BBFC should do? Allow it to be sold only to those who are not going to take physical actions as a result of playing it? How would you manage that?!

Hi dmg24,

Actually I do have a two year old son. At his age we are currently teaching him what is right and wrong. If he picks up a swear word from someone then he will be told it is wrong to say that. If he is naughty or rude he is disiplined for it.

In relation to the original post the game has a certificate of 18+. I have known so many parents to go out and buy such games as Grand Theft Auto and Hitman for their kids who are aged between 8 and 14. So in this case the parents are to blame.

I liked what superscaper said about violent people letting out their urges on violent video games which can only be a good thing surely? Maybe they should implement these type of games in the rehabilitation of convicted criminals in prisons

I just don't think that the BBFC should ban the game outright not allowing anyone in Britain to play it. Like I said we should have the option of buying direct from the developers. As BigDave Cash Saver said we need realize that 'freedom of speech, freedom of movement and the right of personal choice no longer exist'