Lieberman, Brownback, Bayh, Clinton Call for Review of Video Game Ratings Process and Standards

[The Straight Story]

Lieberman, Brownback, Bayh, Clinton Call for Review of Video Game Ratings Process and Standards
ESRB rating opens door to widespread sales of "Manhunt 2"

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Joe Lieberman (ID-CT), Sam Brownback (R-KS), Evan Bayh (D-IN), and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) called for a thorough review of the video game ratings process in the wake of "Manhunt 2" receiving a "Mature" rating. In a letter to the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB), the Senators detailed how the change in rating opened the door to widespread release of the game, which depicts acts of horrific violence. The Senators underscored that a review would continue the industry's commitment to enforcing their ratings system and providing parents with the information they need to choose games for their children that are age appropriate.

"In October 2007 the BBFC again refused to rate a revised Manhunt 2 stating that 'he impact of the revisions on the bleakness and callousness of tone, or the essential nature of the gameplay, is clearly insufficient. There has been a reduction in the visual detail in some of the 'execution kills', but in others they retain their original visceral and casually sadistic nature,'" the letter said. "Other countries agreed and have also banned the game. Unlike the British Board, the ESRB reduced the revised version's rating to 'Mature' (M) effectively opening the door to its widespread distribution and its licensing approval by game system manufacturers Sony and Nintendo. And, while significant progress has been made, the FTC reports that 42 percent of unaccompanied children 13 to 16 years of age can still successfully purchase M-rated games meaning that the practical difference between an AO and M rating affects more than simply 17-year-olds."

The full text of the letter is below:

November 19, 2007

Patricia Vance
President Entertainment Software Rating Board
Entertainment Software Rating Board
317 Madison Avenue, 22nd Floor
New York, NY 10017



Dear Ms. Vance,

We are writing to suggest that it may be desirable to revise or enhance the current ESRB rating system. We continue to believe that the ESRB takes seriously its responsibility with respect to the ratings and their enforcement. However, we believe that a number of issues have been raised regarding the release of Manhunt 2.

As you know, in June 2007 the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) refused to rate Rockstar's Manhunt 2 video game, effectively banning its sale in British stores, stating that it contains "unremitting bleakness and callousness of tone... which constantly encourages visceral killing with exceptionally little alleviation or distancing." The BBFC Director concluded that any other action "would involve a range of unjustifiable harm risks, to both adults and minors." Consistent with your British counterpart, this version received an "Adults Only" (AO) rating from your Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB).

In October 2007 the BBFC again refused to rate a revised Manhunt 2 stating that "he impact of the revisions on the bleakness and callousness of tone, or the essential nature of the gameplay, is clearly insufficient. There has been a reduction in the visual detail in some of the 'execution kills', but in others they retain their original visceral and casually sadistic nature." Other countries agreed and have also banned the game.

Unlike the British Board, the ESRB reduced the revised version's rating to "Mature" (M) effectively opening the door to its widespread distribution and its licensing approval by game system manufacturers Sony and Nintendo. And, while significant progress has been made, the FTC reports that 42 percent of unaccompanied children 13 to 16 years of age can still successfully purchase M-rated games meaning that the practical difference between an AO and M rating affects more than simply 17-year-olds.

Manhunt 2 was sanctioned by Nintendo for its Wii system. That system permits children to act out each of the many graphic torture scenes and murders in Manhunt 2 rather than simply manipulating a game pad. This led one clinical psychologist to state that the realistic motions used with the Wii mean that "you're basically teaching a child the behavioral sequencing of killing." While this was not cited as the reason for the BBFC decision, we do believe that the ESRB should take the Wii remote controller, and future advances in game controllers, which create more realistic gaming environments, into consideration.



Another disturbing aspect of this saga is that the AO version ended up being leaked on the Internet thereby circumventing the rating restrictions. News reports state that the leak came from a Sony employee, who was reportedly fired, rather than the game manufacturer. Nevertheless, the possible use of the internet to circumvent the ESRB and permit broad access to kids is another concern.

There are many questions that are raised because of the above cited issues regarding the process, robustness and repeatability of the ratings provided by the ESRB system. First, there appears to be a lack of information, to the public and developers, regarding why a particular rating is given or changed. What information is provided back to developers after receiving a rating? Why is information regarding rating changes or reasons for decisions unavailable, except for content descriptors, to the public? We understand to some extent the concerns regarding the confidentiality of pre-released materials however that argument is no longer compelling after the product is released. Some speculate that the ESRB could be used to provide attention to increase sales of future games. Under this scenario, a game like Manhunt 2 would first be produced to ensure receipt of an AO rating and thereafter tweaked to get the reduced M rating. A more transparent process might protect the ESRB from being used in this manner.

Further, do the same reviewers view the original and the revised version of a game after an AO rating is received? How frequently do you use more than your minimum of three reviewers when evaluating a game? Are three reviewers adequate for the more violent games? How often do your reviewers disagree in their initial ratings and how frequently is the final rating a majority opinion rather than a consensus?

In sum, we ask your consideration of whether it is time to review the robustness, reliability and repeatability of your ratings process, particularly for this genre of "ultra-violent" video games and the advances in game controllers. We have consistently urged parents to pay attention to the ESRB rating system. We must ensure that parents can rely on the consistency and accuracy of those ratings.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Joseph I. Lieberman
United States Senator

Sam Brownback
United States Senator

Evan Bayh
United States Senator

Hillary Rodham Clinton
United States Senator

http://lieberman.senate.gov/newsroom/release.cfm?id=287809

[tridim]

1. Real violence and real war: Good!

Simulated violence and simulated war: BAD BAD BAD!

[Marr]

8. Unless it's an Army-sponsored violent video game.

If they're helping recruit people to conduct real violence for the government, that's fine.

http://www.americasarmy.com/

They must really believe that video games can encourage violence, since they're spending money to do so.

[Reno.Muse]

2. wow, now here's an important life-saving cause. Yawn.

[Howardx]

3. i get the feeling

that sometime in the past lieberman couldnt quite master pong and has had it in for video games ever since.

[Systematic Chaos]

9. Give that man a DUzy!

:rofl:

Probably broke the joystick off the Pac-Man machine when he couldn't master the patterns and get to the elusive 9th key.

[Traveling_Home]

4. 42% of unaccompanied children....

means that stores are at fault for enforcing the ratings scale only 58% of the time. Are stores penalized fined or .... for non-enforcement? Maybe that's where the issue needs to be addressed.

[tekisui]

5. Whoppty-doo

Way to be leaders on the real issues.

:crazy:

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. And the real war?

Oh I forgot - the media isn't really covering it so our children aren't exposed to THAT violence. :eyes:

[Dr.Phool]

7. I wish all these blue noses would just go away.

I really disliked Al and Tipper Gore when they started having hearings on rock music lyrics. And this was before rap.

Frank Zappa made a Groucho Marx like appearance before the committee.