I wrote a large feature today about Manhunt 2, the ESRB, game ratings, chilling effects, and the ongoing struggle between art and commerce in the games industry. I talked to the ESRB, Sony, and other experts on the games business and media violence. Do read it.
I wanted to point out something I found out in the course of the research: although the vast majority of games rated Adults Only on the ESRB's website were given the rating for sexual content, 12 games in the last five years have been given preliminary AO ratings for violence. In each case, the makers of the games toned down the content to receive an M.
In other words, the Manhunt 2 situation isn't anything new, we just haven't been informed that we've been playing bowdlerized games.
By the way, if you guys are going to Digg this, and I know you want to, here's the link.
Manhunt 2 Meltdown Shows Game-Killing Power Of Adults-Only Rating [Wired]
