US senators led by Indian State Democrat Evan Bayh, are calling for tougher standards for rating video games and a review of the current rating system in the wake of the controversy surrounding titles like Manhunt 2.
The original version of Manhunt 2 was banned due to extremely violent content but a less violent version was allowed to go to retail. Despite this, copies of the original Manhunt 2 have found their way onto the internet and are in circulation. The senators went about mailing a letter to the President of the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB).
We have consistently urged parents to pay attention to the (board’s) rating system. We must ensure that parents can rely on the consistency and accuracy of those ratings.
Bayh campaigned for an act to be passed that would fine retailers $1000 or 100 hours community service for the sale of M or AO games to minors, followed by $5000 or 500 hours community service for every additional offence. His new goal is to force the ESRB to revaluate their certification methods, as well as taking into account the psychological implications of acting out actions like the ones prominent on the Wii for Manhunt 2.
Bayhs letter to the ESRB claimed that the ratings are ineffective and that publishers submit games to the board to get AO ratings, only to release the titles as M for Mature.
The debate about computer and video game ratings has been brewing for some time and will no doubt continue after this latest outcry.
