ESRB’s response to the Manhunt 2 re-rating issue

After Leland Yee and CCFC‘s (Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood) demand for an explanation why Manhunt 2 was re-rated to Mature – despite the fact that Manhunt 2 was already modified to fit the standards – ESRB now decided to break its silence and released a statement regarding their decision to take off the Adults Only rating from Rockstar’s controversial game.

Here’s an excerpt from the statement of ESRB’s president Patricia Vance:

Upon reviewing the modified version of Manhunt 2, the ESRB assigned a rating of M (Mature 17+) with content descriptors for Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content and Use of Drugs. This is a very clear and firm warning to parents that the game is in no way intended for children. As always, we urge parents to strongly consider the ESRB rating in their decision about whether a game is appropriate for their children.

Publishers submit game content to the ESRB on a confidential basis. It is simply not our place to reveal specific details about the content we have reviewed, particularly when it involves a product yet to be released…

It is a parent’s rightful place to make choices for their own children. The ESRB and console manufacturers provide families with the tools and information to help them do so.”

So there you have it, straight from ESRB’s Vance herself. She does make a good point in saying that its up to the parents themselves to regulate their children’s games, and they are already given sufficient aids to make sure that the kids play with media appropriate for their ages, such as child locks or password protection.

What do you guys think? Do you agree with ESRB’s official statement? Hit the comments button below.

Read Vance’s entire statement in the Read link!

Via Joystiq

After Leland Yee and CCFC‘s (Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood) demand for an explanation why Manhunt 2 was re-rated to Mature – despite the fact that Manhunt 2 was already modified to fit the standards – ESRB now decided to break its silence and released a statement regarding their decision to take off the Adults Only rating from Rockstar’s controversial game.

Here’s an excerpt from the statement of ESRB’s president Patricia Vance:

Upon reviewing the modified version of Manhunt 2, the ESRB assigned a rating of M (Mature 17+) with content descriptors for Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content and Use of Drugs. This is a very clear and firm warning to parents that the game is in no way intended for children. As always, we urge parents to strongly consider the ESRB rating in their decision about whether a game is appropriate for their children.

Publishers submit game content to the ESRB on a confidential basis. It is simply not our place to reveal specific details about the content we have reviewed, particularly when it involves a product yet to be released…

It is a parent’s rightful place to make choices for their own children. The ESRB and console manufacturers provide families with the tools and information to help them do so.”

So there you have it, straight from ESRB’s Vance herself. She does make a good point in saying that its up to the parents themselves to regulate their children’s games, and they are already given sufficient aids to make sure that the kids play with media appropriate for their ages, such as child locks or password protection.

What do you guys think? Do you agree with ESRB’s official statement? Hit the comments button below.

Read Vance’s entire statement in the Read link!

Via Joystiq