The ESRB Don't Get No Respect

Via the ffwd linklog, a story on the Hollywood Reporter site discussing the public image of the ESRB, from "pain in the butt" on the developer's side to lax child perverter on the lawmaker's side. From the article: "The issue Greenberg describes is one involving dollars and cents: Almost every single retail chain chooses not to sell 'AO' rated games, period. In just the same way that many movie theaters will not show films branded with an 'NC-17' rating, the 'AO' severely limits a game's distribution, to put it mildly."

Re:Censor is BS

[frikazoyd]

I don't know what world you live in, but in this world countries have banned several video games, and that fact was used as a selling point here in America. The only thing we really censor is nudity, we just try to control the amount of violence that a child observes here in America.

Example, Carmageddon was banned in Australia I believe, as well as Postal 2 and more that I can't remember off hand.

Also, it may be the parent's job to do so, but you have to admit that children can be pretty convincing/conniving if they want a game that is "Adult" enough. And, the industry is pretty guilty of trying to sell on that type of appeal, whether they want to admit it or not.

Not true...

[the_skywise]

According to Box Office Mojo [boxofficemojo.com] there are NO G rated movies in the top 10 all time grossing movies.

In the top 20, there are 2.

Finding Nemo and Lion King.

(and on an intersting side note, both movies involved show the horrific and traumatic death of a parent!)

Re:Why won't they sell AO games?

[ronfar]

You want to know the answer to that question?

Ask Jesus Castillo... [cbldf.org]

The details of the case:

1. Jesus Castillo managed a comic book store which had an "Adults Only" section.

2. Some concerned citizens in the area decided to make an example out of him. They sent a Vice Squad cop in to buy a copy of the Legend of the Overfiend manga.

3. Jesus Castillo was arrested for obscenity. His case wended it's way through the courts. The Supreme Court denied his last appeal.

4. As of August 5th, 2003 Castillo was still on probation for his conviction on an obscenity charge.

No retailer wants this kind of heat unless they are in the adult services industry and are used to it. (Even then they don't want it.)

More references...

Dirty Pictures [dallasobserver.com]

a bad precedent: Texas v. Castillo [asmallvictory.net]