David Braben: <cite>Manhunt 2</cite> is Hurting the Industry

David Braben (A Dog's Life, Elite, Virus) thinks that Manhunt 2 is doing some long-term damage to the game industry, but doesn't place the blame at Rockstar's doorstep. The problem, as he explains in an interview with CVG, has more to do with public perception and the inconsistency of the ratings system.

According to Braben, parents still feel like game ratings can largely be ignored, "possibly based on their experience of games when they were younger." (Or possibly based on their own reluctance to their jobs as parents.) Even those that do pay attention to game ratings have troubles, as two games with the same rating might have very different levels of violence:

*Manhunt 2...*is not the sort of game the industry should be making, as it is inevitably going to attract controversy. While Manhunt 2 might have brought short term gain to Rockstar, it damages the reputation of the industry as a whole, long term. We do need a strong, consistent rating system, where 18 really means 18, and is enforced, and then it may be more acceptable to make such games, or to bring in an additional rating (as in the US) of Adults Only - which are only sold in very restricted places.

Braben does point out that he hasn't actually played Manhunt 2.

Creative Minds: David Braben [CVG]