Gamestop ponders retailing of AO-rated games

In a recent report by Gamasutra, GameStop Senior VP for Marketing Bob McKenzie was quoted discussing his company’s position on Adult Only-rated games. It might shock some, but he says they’re considering vending such games.

That statement is pretty big considering the recent wave of controversy that surrounds Take-Two Interactive‘s Manhunt 2. The retailer just might be seen in the near future peddling the title, along with other similarly-themed titles.

In an industry where image projection is vital, very few retailers and publishers would dare touch projects which show explicit violence which exceed today’s norms. GameStop, however, says that the rating system upheld by the ESRB works and it’s the consumer’s last say whether or not he wants to purchase a product.

“I think that it is an opportunity that we would have to look at on a case-by-case,” says McKenzie. “In [the case of Manhunt], I’m glad that Rockstar went back, reworked it, and it will be M rated. I can’t say that we would have supported it at AO, and I can’t say that we won’t.”

“I believe that it is our responsibility as an industry and as a retailer to educate the consumer that there are choices,” he adds. “That these things do mean something; for every game that is rated M, there is a reason that it is.”

So, will we see more AO content in store shelves soon? Everything’s still up on the air, and critics will have a lot to say should the move come into fruition. What do you think? Should we make our own choices or should the industry continue making it for us?

In a recent report by Gamasutra, GameStop Senior VP for Marketing Bob McKenzie was quoted discussing his company’s position on Adult Only-rated games. It might shock some, but he says they’re considering vending such games.

That statement is pretty big considering the recent wave of controversy that surrounds Take-Two Interactive‘s Manhunt 2. The retailer just might be seen in the near future peddling the title, along with other similarly-themed titles.

In an industry where image projection is vital, very few retailers and publishers would dare touch projects which show explicit violence which exceed today’s norms. GameStop, however, says that the rating system upheld by the ESRB works and it’s the consumer’s last say whether or not he wants to purchase a product.

“I think that it is an opportunity that we would have to look at on a case-by-case,” says McKenzie. “In [the case of Manhunt], I’m glad that Rockstar went back, reworked it, and it will be M rated. I can’t say that we would have supported it at AO, and I can’t say that we won’t.”

“I believe that it is our responsibility as an industry and as a retailer to educate the consumer that there are choices,” he adds. “That these things do mean something; for every game that is rated M, there is a reason that it is.”

So, will we see more AO content in store shelves soon? Everything’s still up on the air, and critics will have a lot to say should the move come into fruition. What do you think? Should we make our own choices or should the industry continue making it for us?