New York Times does 'Manhunt 2 for Dummies' recap
Need to explain to grandma why this whole Manhunt 2 kerfuffle is ridiculous? Then go pick up (or send her the link if she's all modern) to today's New York Times article which gives a simple version of the Manhunt 2 saga for mass consumption. If you've been keeping up with all the Manhunt 2 coverage then you pretty much already know everything the New York Times article has to say. Wait, you haven't been keeping up with the controversy ... seriously? OK, ok, we'll make an even simpler version of the NYT piece.
Here we go: Although violence in games is focused on more, movie and television violence is worse. Child sodomy is fine in movies, testicles being ripped off with pliers is bad for video games. Manhunt 2 still retains 99% of its AO content -- a pesky 1% change makes it M. The controversy showed the ESRB has teeth and also helped market a game that probably would not have gotten attention otherwise. NYT basically says the game "will probably prove as luridly, fleetingly diverting as any slasher flick." Fin.
Here we go: Although violence in games is focused on more, movie and television violence is worse. Child sodomy is fine in movies, testicles being ripped off with pliers is bad for video games. Manhunt 2 still retains 99% of its AO content -- a pesky 1% change makes it M. The controversy showed the ESRB has teeth and also helped market a game that probably would not have gotten attention otherwise. NYT basically says the game "will probably prove as luridly, fleetingly diverting as any slasher flick." Fin.












Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Zoidberg Jesus (a.k.a. Jebo) @ Oct 29th 2007 12:07PM
Testicles’ being ripped off with pliers is bad for every single medium known to mankind . Hell, it is even ghastly to write about. The very concept should be banned.
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Oct 29th 2007 12:07PM
HA! In your FACE Jack Thompson!
driven2sin @ Oct 29th 2007 12:10PM
yeah when's that altar boy expansion for the Sims coming out?
Zoidberg Jesus (a.k.a. Jebo) @ Oct 29th 2007 12:17PM
Right after “Nintendogs: Caligula Edition” is released.
samfish (MSDF- Nurse Outfit!) @ Oct 29th 2007 12:20PM
"Here we go: Although violence in games is focused on more, movie and television violence is worse. Child sodomy is fine in movies, testicles being ripped off with pliers is bad for video games."
Maybe I'm just sick in the head, but I think having one's testicles ripped off with pliers is worse than child sodomy.
Zoidberg Jesus (a.k.a. Jebo) @ Oct 29th 2007 12:26PM
I second this comment. Samfish, you should become the Jack Thompson of testicular right to life.
Geist @ Oct 29th 2007 12:26PM
I disagree, but I think this isn't a really quantifiable topic.
it-hobbit @ Oct 29th 2007 12:31PM
Being a parent myself I could definitely contemplate testicular dismemberment of a child sodomist. I guess it's different when viewing through a different glass.
copa @ Oct 29th 2007 12:34PM
The Saw IV and Hostel 2 comparisons are fair and insightful, but the Kite Runner? Come on!
You can't compare a serious flick that contextualizes violence to a game or movie that doles out a gratuitous thrill kill every five seconds.
Are you going to tell Grandma that Manhunt 2 is better than Schindler's List, since Schindler's List had a higher body count? Stop being a Jack Thompson stereotype.
Kassu @ Oct 29th 2007 12:37PM
Read this.
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6181847.html?tag=latestnews;title;0
angryguy77 @ Oct 29th 2007 12:42PM
i guess its alright fot mtv to rot the minds of its viewers, but a violent game is bad. We can hand out birth control in schools, ban religion from society, teach our kids that America is evil, but this game gets the attention. This culture idolizes the likes of Brittany Spears, Christina Agulara(my spelling sucks btw), even though they teach young girls the wrong way to act. But our government and these watch dog groups attack the gamming industry for "the kids". I am not saying that violence is a good thing, but the only reason that they go after this industry is because its an easy target. I say let the market decide whats acceptable and whats not. Make the parents be parents and watch out for their own kid. But I guess we can sit back and let the government do that for us, because we all know what a great job they can do with social engineering.
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Oct 29th 2007 1:09PM
Unfortunately, american society is in the final stages of an empire. Collapse is imminent.
License to ill @ Oct 29th 2007 3:13PM
We can hand out birth control in schools, ban religion from society, teach our kids that America is evil.
Bet you got a Bush Chaney bumper sticker on your pick-up...
License to ill @ Oct 29th 2007 3:24PM
We can hand out birth control in schools, ban religion from society, teach our kids that America is evil.
Is that you Carl Rove?
License to ill @ Oct 29th 2007 3:29PM
Nice reply system, only the Carl Rove comment should posted...
d-pad @ Oct 29th 2007 4:35PM
License,
Stop now please.
Loki @ Oct 29th 2007 4:54PM
I hate double post.
Fullmetal Salchemist @ Oct 29th 2007 1:00PM
'Manhunt 2 for Dummies'
...otherwise known as plain ol' "Manhunt 2."
Jerk Face @ Oct 29th 2007 2:44PM
I see what you did there!
baby sea tuna @ Oct 29th 2007 1:12PM
If that "pesky 1% change," you're referring to is those jarringly annoying filter effects I saw in some of the videos, that was the 1% difference between me buying it, and not buying it.
Sorry R*, looks like ol JT and the ratings board won this round...at least where I'm concerned.
angryguy77 @ Oct 30th 2007 1:14PM
ill,
is that all you can come back with? A red neck implication? Get some education and come back with a retort that shows some sort of brain activity. I love you people on the left that call people that don't agree with them red necks. I guess your train of thought would be ok with an "anything goes" mentality. I was making the point that these same poeple that attack the gaming industry, are the same ones who think what I said above is acceptable.