California Deems Video Game Laws Unconstitutional

Discussion in 'TV & Media' started by Dusty Ayres, Feb 23, 2009.

  1. Dusty Ayres

    Dusty Ayres Commodore

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    That dosen't mean that there can't be a AO-rated game for a console, it just can't be sold at a place like EB Games. And it would have to be offered as a secure download, complete with an adults-only quiz that must be answered before you purchase it.
     
  2. UndeadRedshirt

    UndeadRedshirt Ensign Red Shirt

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    Don't MS, Sony and Nintendo all have policies about what types of games can be on their consoles? Has a game actually been released with a AO rating on any of the consoles? I was under the impression that all "official" games that get rated and carry the console manufacturer's logo on the box have to be authorized by the respective manufacturer, and they would not authorize distribution of games with that rating.

    Not that it should matter anyway. It takes all of 5 minutes to set the family/parental controls on any of the consoles. If parent's would actually take responsibility for their kids' entertainment, we wouldn't be having these conversations every couple months.
     
  3. Hermiod

    Hermiod Admiral Admiral

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    ^What does a "AO" rating equate to ? Grand Theft Auto IV carried a rating of 18 as granted by the British Board of Film Classification in the United Kingdom. Surely that would equate to "adults only".

    Nintendo, believe it or not, actually want more adult games for the Wii to help offset its image amongst hardcore gamers.

    You are correct, however, both my PS3 and my Xbox 360 have the means to restrict what games can be played on them.
     
  4. Arrqh

    Arrqh Vice Admiral Admiral

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    GTA4 is rated M. Some of Rockstar's previous games received an AO and were then toned down to get an M instead.

    I'm not hugely familiar with the BBFC's rating system, but a quick glance seems to suggest that AO is equivalent to Restricted 18, whereas M is equivalent to 18... technically I believe M is 17+, most stores will only sell to minors if a parent is present (which is the real problem... parents buying M rated games for their kids without paying attention and then complaining about it afterwards).
     
  5. CommodoreKong

    CommodoreKong Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Actually it does mean their can't be AO rated games for consoles, since they would have to get the game rated by the ESRB and the console makers wouldn't allow it to come out. Of course I guess someone could make an unauthorized game on the consoles that would have the content of an AO rated game, but without a development kit it would be extremly difficult and if they tried to sell it they would most likely be sued out of existance.

    I'm not sure what an AO rating equivelent would be in the British rating system, but compared to the MPAA rating system it would basically be an X rating.

    If you go to the ESRB site you can view a list of the AO rated games if you search by rating. There are only 23 of them, all on PC with the exception of a CDI game, an unreleased PS1 game, and the Hot Coffee Version of GTA San Andreas.
     
  6. Arrqh

    Arrqh Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Feb 27, 2004
    Manhunt 2 was also originally AO, but by the time it was released it was down to M.