Ireland Bans Video Game for Being Gross
Trend Huntress — June 20, 2007 — Tech
References: news.yahoo
Britain and Ireland have banned the newest release by Rockstar Games, "Manhunt 2", due to "gross, unrelenting and gratuitous violence". Irish film censor John Kelleher said some games could be pardoned for their violence on the basis that they depict a story.
"However, in the case of 'Manhunt 2,' IFCO (the Irish Film Censor's Office) believes that there is no such context, and the level of gross, unrelenting and gratuitous violence is unacceptable," Kelleher said in a statement.
Rockstar Games, a label of Take-Two Interactive Software, caused a flurry in the past with their much criticized "Grand Theft Auto" franchise. Many people were appalled by its depiction of bloodshed and violence against women.
"Manhunt 2," which releases on Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation 2 in July, depicts the escape of an amnesiac scientist and a psychotic killer from an asylum and their subsequent epic killing spree.
Apparently, the game makers think realistic graphics of "epic killing sprees" are a form of art.
"It brings a unique, formerly unheard of cinematic quality to interactive entertainment, and is also a fine piece of art," said Take-Two Chairman Strauss Zelnick.
"However, in the case of 'Manhunt 2,' IFCO (the Irish Film Censor's Office) believes that there is no such context, and the level of gross, unrelenting and gratuitous violence is unacceptable," Kelleher said in a statement.
Rockstar Games, a label of Take-Two Interactive Software, caused a flurry in the past with their much criticized "Grand Theft Auto" franchise. Many people were appalled by its depiction of bloodshed and violence against women.
"Manhunt 2," which releases on Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation 2 in July, depicts the escape of an amnesiac scientist and a psychotic killer from an asylum and their subsequent epic killing spree.
Apparently, the game makers think realistic graphics of "epic killing sprees" are a form of art.
"It brings a unique, formerly unheard of cinematic quality to interactive entertainment, and is also a fine piece of art," said Take-Two Chairman Strauss Zelnick.
Trend Themes
1. Banned Video Games - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore alternative ways to create interactive entertainment without excessive violence.
2. Censorship in Entertainment - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop technology or platforms that can provide safer and more responsible content for consumers.
3. Realistic Graphics in Gaming - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) experiences that offer immersive and realistic visuals without promoting excessive violence.
Industry Implications
1. Video Game Development - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Focus on creating games that deliver engaging and exciting gameplay experiences without relying on gratuitous violence.
2. Entertainment Technology - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop advanced content filtering and rating systems to help users make informed decisions about the media they consume.
3. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Build immersive VR/AR experiences that prioritize storytelling and creativity while minimizing explicit violence.
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