ESRB

[Depression Moon]

Entertainment Software Rating Board

The ESRB is the gaming infustry's rating board and it's supposed to label games for the appropriate audience. Lately I've been a bit confused on how they rate their games. With the previous conflict of Rockstar's Manhunt becoming the 1st Ao game I've certainly had a strong opinion on the rating board. From the content I've seen I don't see why it was labeled Ao. I've seen more violent games and I don't like how some of these companies wouldn't allow the game to be in their stores just because it was going to be Ao. I was especially surprised that Gamestop was against it too, mainly because they're a major gaming manufacturer and they would understand the creative freedom that all video games deserve. Another thing that doesn't make since to me is that I have to games here in my hand with similar content, but two completely different ratings.
Okami is rated T with blood and gore, violence, alcohol and tobacco use, and crude humor labeled on it.

I also have Mortal Kombat which is rated M with blood and gore, and violence.

Both of these games have similar content, but both are of completely different ratings. Okami even has more things labeled under it's rating and it still goes under T. What is up here?

[Roto13]

Okami never allows you to rip someone's spine out or jam your hand (paw?) into their chest and tear out their still-beating heart. Okami and Mortal Kombat handle violence in two very different ways.

Also, the tobacco and alcohol references are more-or-less what you'd hear in an old fable as opposed to anyone yelling "Hey, let's go get faced!" "Dude, I'm already totally wasted! *throws up*"

[Yar]

Exactly. Just like how many of the Zelda games are E, but it involves a child swinging a sword.

The "violence" is subjective to how much of a degree it is. Similar with other labels. Whereas there may be violence in a T game and it goes unlabeled but it would be labeled on an E game. Sometimes they don't bother printing if it isn't as present like if the violence in a T game is at the level of an E game.

[Vyk]

There were a couple of Sega CD games that got AO ratings... That could have possibly have been before ESRB, as Sega had their own rating system that the ESRB kinda stole. But I'm sure the ESRB was established during the life of the Genesis and Super Nintendo. So I still have to question... I think I'm gonna go do some research :]

Edit: ESRB's site lists a lot of AO games, lots of PC/Mac. Even a CD-I game. One PS1 game. I think Manhunt is too new to claim to be the first AO over these games.. Where did you hear it was the first?

[Yar]

I thought Manhunt was M.

[Roto13]

Manhunt was originally rated AO but it was toned down for an M. Stores are VERY reluctant to sell AO-rated games and certain companies (I forget which ones xP) won't allow them on their consoles.

[Yar]

I'm going to just go ahead and guess that Nintendo is one of them. :P

[Roto13]

Actually, I don't think they are. :P They used to be, but I think I heard that Nintendo was going to allow the AO Manhunt on the Wii, but that doesn't really solve the problem of stores refusing to carry it. xP

Alright, I looked it up and Nintendo wasn't going to allow Manhunt 2 afterall. xP

[Magixion]

Almost every retail store out there refuses to sell AO games. (Gamestop, Circuit City, Best Buy, Game Crazy, etc.) I guess they figure it makes them more politically correct. Also, Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo have very, very strict rules when it comes to AO games, I am not even sure they are allowed to be on them honestly. I could be wrong though.

[Depression Moon]

Where did you hear it was the first?

I think it was on television. I just don't understand why none of these will support that these Ao games are games just like the rest of them and deserves to be on shelves with as much equality as all the other games.

[Yar]

Well, one could argue pornography deserves to also be on the shelves with the rest of the movies.

Stores ultimately choose what is and isn't on their shelves, and it is usually what will sell more, as well. Stores don't stock all E games simply because there is no space. So not only would a game need to pass a store's ethical test, it would also be expected to sell a bit.

Things that are rated higher actually sell less. Just like how there aren't too many R rated horror movies anymore; but their PG-13 counterparts are abundant. The PG-13 movies sell more tickets, so movie companies tend to try to make the movies PG-13.

[Wolf Kanno]

Where did you hear it was the first?

I think it was on television. I just don't understand why none of these will support that these Ao games are games just like the rest of them and deserves to be on shelves with as much equality as all the other games.

Same reason why Porn and X rated films are not released in major theaters. Manhunt is controversial cause as opposed to Okami's stylish/painting design or MK's "tongue and cheek" middle school level gore; Manhunt is a game where you play a relatively normal person who uses everyday objects to brutally murder people. Considering how much heat governments and parent groups give to FPS' and the GTA series for being "killing simulators" Manhunt takes it to another level where it becomes difficult to argue against the idea.