Rockstar to the gaming industry: Rally behind us and Manhunt 2

Some are saying that there’s a slim possibility that the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) may reconsider its ban on Nintendo Wii and PlayStation Portable video game Manhunt 2 after Rockstar has appealed its decision. If you think Rockstar is going to wait quietly, you are dead wrong.

Rockstar Leeds Co-founder and Studio Head Gordan Hall was recently interviewed by Develop Mag and according to the industry veteran, what BBFC did to Manhunt 2 is ultimately an attack to the video gaming industry. He said:

If you look at a film like Man Bites Dog, it makes Manhunt look tame in comparison, but that film can be bought by anyone aged 18. I don’t think Rockstar specifically has been picked on, but I do think that the wider issue attacks our entire industry. We need to teach people that games are an art form – they are more artistic than film.

Gordon Hall then added that he is appealing to the whole industry to rally behind Rockstar because it is highly probable that what happened to their company will also happen to other development studios in the future. The studio head also mentioned that the industry is maturing and more edgy ideas are coming forth:

We are an adult entertainment industry – we may have started out with child-like technology making games solely for a younger audience, but it’s just not like that anymore. It might take legislature a little while to catch up, but if the industry sticks together hopefully we can change people’s attitudes quicker.

Via Develop Mag

Some are saying that there’s a slim possibility that the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) may reconsider its ban on Nintendo Wii and PlayStation Portable video game Manhunt 2 after Rockstar has appealed its decision. If you think Rockstar is going to wait quietly, you are dead wrong.

Rockstar Leeds Co-founder and Studio Head Gordan Hall was recently interviewed by Develop Mag and according to the industry veteran, what BBFC did to Manhunt 2 is ultimately an attack to the video gaming industry. He said:

If you look at a film like Man Bites Dog, it makes Manhunt look tame in comparison, but that film can be bought by anyone aged 18. I don’t think Rockstar specifically has been picked on, but I do think that the wider issue attacks our entire industry. We need to teach people that games are an art form – they are more artistic than film.

Gordon Hall then added that he is appealing to the whole industry to rally behind Rockstar because it is highly probable that what happened to their company will also happen to other development studios in the future. The studio head also mentioned that the industry is maturing and more edgy ideas are coming forth:

We are an adult entertainment industry – we may have started out with child-like technology making games solely for a younger audience, but it’s just not like that anymore. It might take legislature a little while to catch up, but if the industry sticks together hopefully we can change people’s attitudes quicker.

Via Develop Mag