Take-Two Sounds Off On AO Rating
Take-Two has been pretty silent since the ESRB slapped the AO rating on Manhunt 2, thereby banning the game from all consoles. Management now publicly questions the point of having an Adults Only rating since it prohibits the game from being released on any console.
The chairman of the company stated in a conference call that the company is weighing their options concerning the release of their Adults Only rated game.
”We’re determined to bring Manhunt 2 to the consumers for which it was intended, and to do so in a responsible fashion.” “We don’t see ourselves in the AO business. But if we find ourselves in the AO business, it would be because we have a title that we consider art and entertainment, that we consider is appropriately rated at AO, that we’d like to bring to market, and that I and Ben [Feder, CEO] are prepared to stand behind.”“In that instance, one has to ask oneself what’s the purpose of a rating if it in fact means that a title cannot be released? But I don’t think that that issue falls at the door of retailers. Retailers are acting responsibly, frankly, and I think a retailer has a right to say, ‘This is what I’m prepared to put on my shelves.’ It’s not correct to be critical of the retailers at all.”
“Because this is a voluntary ratings system in the US, we have to be critical of ourselves if we’ve allowed a system to develop that prevents us from bringing a title to market that we want to bring to market. That’s something that we have to address.”
I just wonder what they can do at this point to release the game in tact. All I know is that I want to see this game at it was originally designed with my own two eyes.
Take-Two Criticizes AO Ratings [Next Generation]
Toots
Posted to Hot Stuff, Video Games on 10 July 2007
· Comments (8)
Other stuff like this: manhunt, ps2, psp, rockstar, wii
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Ok, so let me get this, I've been reading all about this issue, and for what i understand, the game was banned because Sony and Nintendo wanted it. I mean, the ESRB slapped the AO rating but they didn't said "hey, don't sell this game" they said something like "hey, it's an AO, sell this game, but with caution" right? That's different that said that the game was banned. So, why is Take Two and the rest of the team blaming the ESRB when it's Sony and Nintendo who said "no no sir"?
Actually i'm pro rating on videogames, and the stores should listen to those things. You can't sell a AO game to a minor. Parents must hear those things "hey daddy, don't buy an AO game to your 11-year old boy, buy it for yourself". And after all, ppl like JAcks thompson appears and say that violence is to be blame on videogames. I thin that if the game was an Adults Only, then... suck it up, and sell it ONLY to adults. And adults, behave like one and don't let a kid play the game. That way we are all happy.
what scares me is... what will stop the ESRB from rating other games AO for political reason... this is why this game got an AO... what will stop them from rating GTA IV AO because some interest group doesn't want it out in the market... this really pisses me off... i hate dirty politics
If anything i guess rockstar can put this game out on the PC and have it as an online sale... i'm sure their sales would go sky high because of the press its getting
If you actually think this got an AO rating for political reasons you're a complete fool.
It's a tacky game that relies on shock and gore to attract people to it. Who cares if it ever gets published?
The fact that AO titles apparently can't even be sold to adults is political, Magic Pink.
Magic, the whole point of this debacle is that this game isn't for everybody. Just because people disapprove of it, doesn't mean that everyone else has to go without playing the game. Besides, name calling isn't the best way to get your point across.
If retailers have a right to decide what they put on their shelves, than surely Nintendo and Sony have a right to decide what games they want to bring out.
They have an image to maintain afterall.
I feel Take-Two and their fanboys are being a bit selfrightous here. This game (from what I hear) depicts extreme gore in a very visual realistic way. And then they cry bloody murder for a high rating? What did you expect, a PG rating?
Take-Two has always seemed to strive for big media controversies. Can't expect to win them all.
BTW, does this rating system affect PC releases as well? I assumed that would still be an option (correct me if I'm wrong). Or is it all about Take-Two being annoyed they can't get as many sales and thus money if they're limited to PC?
am mostly disappointed about nintendo and sony not tolerating adult only games on their consoles, since there are plenty of adults buying and playing their consoles.
manhunt 2 on the wii is one of the titles i have been really looking forward to. i'm basically not into violent and brutal games but found the atmosphere of the first manhunt exceptionally intense - it was a piece of art in his own sense.
it's definitely not a game that kids should play, but please leave us our freedom of choice...