BBFC briefly noted 'suicide' and 'implied child rape' in MGS4

Regardless of the specifics behind the disturbing description, the BBFC still granted the game a relatively tame 15 rating for violence that "may be strong but may not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury during gameplay." The fact that it's possible to "progress stealthily through the game, avoiding violent confrontations where possible" seemed to weigh heavily on the decision. Hey, you can do that in the 18-rated Grand Theft Auto games too! Well, OK, you can't really advance that way, but you could avoid violence by driving a cab all day.










Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
PojoMofo @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:36PM
That is a helluva thing to imply
Fadobo @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:36PM
1: we've seen snake putting a gun against his head, wich should be enough to to have "suicide references".
2: I dont think child rape is a real topic of the game, because developers will keep away from such things. I guess its just briefly mentioned, or hinted in a cutscene, telling how the war ripped the country apart.
syrik zero @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:45PM
He didn't hold the gun to his head thought. He was being forced to hold the gun to his head.... I love that game, I miss it
Kujel @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:16PM
Kojima's a total nut we should expect this kind of shit from him, anyway that kind of shit is sick and I'll make sure to warn others it's in there.
Geist @ Apr 23rd 2008 6:14PM
"I dont think child rape is a real topic of the game"
There is not a single game out there that could possibly pull off child rape being an actual topic of a game. Mentioned briefly as a terrible side effect of war, yes, but as a topic of the game itself? MMmmmmnah.
Snipermike @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:37PM
Since its the last one they might as well go out with a "bang"
PojoMofo @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:38PM
I see what you did thar!!!
LiK @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:37PM
i hope it's not as disturbing as the whole incest thing between Otacon and his mother...
B3astofthe3ast @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:30PM
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't that with his stepmother? It's been a while since I played MGS2...I need to play it through again before MGS4.
octoberasian @ Apr 23rd 2008 7:05PM
I thought that it was between Otacon and his sister. O.o
PojoMofo @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:37PM
Is it jsut me or could Snake use some Botox??
John @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:43PM
You ***hole. I specifically didn't want to know this kind of spoiler info, therefore I avoided all the news on other sites about what BBFC listed. The other sites had the kindness to not list the points like you did in their bloody title.
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:09PM
Monday morning was 2 days ago.
Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:44PM
MGS4 just keeps getting better and better.
Hot Cola mod anyone?
Shmil @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:00PM
Wow...wow... that is so wrong, so so very very wrong. But there's something that's more wrong, I'm still laughing.
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:10PM
Woah Sheppy, we don't want any cross-eyed children here...
Tranando @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:46PM
Joystiq, by reporting this "news", you have stooped to a new low, even by your previously disgracful standards.
How does it feel to reach a new low?
DangerMouse @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:50PM
Not as good as a reach-around.
PojoMofo @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:51PM
dont like it, go elsewhere
Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:01PM
New lows are terrific. Take, for example, a track star. He can set a new record on the 100 meter dash. Which is fine and good. But I can set a new low by raping family members while he's tied to a chair. Now which is more fun?
Shmil @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:02PM
Are you kidding me? Low? This is a video game blog, they make posts on video game related news. I guess you're upset that CNN has been reporting on the Mormon polygamist raids that strait up tell you there was underage sex.
Ethan @ Apr 23rd 2008 9:00PM
Actually I agree a bit. Taking things out of context is part of the problem, though you aren't sensationalising to the extent of Fox. This stuff happens a lot in war, it's kind of one of the main theme in the film 'The Kite Runner,' which got a lot of awards and is considered quite important.
John @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:46PM
Did it not go through the mind of the idiot news poster that these maybe spoilers? I mean, the suicide may very well relate to Solid Snake, you jerk.
Neowyrm @ Apr 24th 2008 12:38AM
You're the only person on the planet who didn't know this already.... :|
Neebs @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:47PM
Ew, that little monkey thing?
DangerMouse @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:49PM
XBox 360 Special Edition, anyone?
Donald @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:49PM
I wanted child rape. :(
Zeus.:God @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:55PM
[+1]
i laffd
el serpiente @ Apr 23rd 2008 10:13PM
Zeus.:Pedo
Zeus.:God @ Apr 24th 2008 4:18PM
Yup. Sure am- love doin' them babies up the ass.
Marshmallow713 @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:55PM
Take the points out of the title. Damn. Most people don't want the game ruined. K thnx.
John @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:58PM
YOU PUT THE STORY POINTS IN THE M***** F****** TITLE, THUS MAKING THEM TOTALLY UNAVOIDABLE TO THOSE WHO DIDN'T WANT ANY SPOILERS! IF YOU HAVE ANY SENSE, YOU'LL CHANGE THE TITLE AND GIVE A SPOILER WARNING TO THE MGS FANS VISITING THE SITE THAT DON'T WANT INFO LIKE THIS KNOWN TO THEM. I CAN TELL YOU, IF IT TURNS OUT THAT THE 'SUICIDE' RELATES TO A BIG CHARACTER IN THE GAME, AND NOT SOME MINOR CHARACTER, THEN I'LL NEVER VISIT THIS RAT-ASS SITE AGAIN!
Neebs @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:59PM
SERIOUS FUCKING BUSINESS
Britton @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:59PM
LOUD NOISES!!!
Donald @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:00PM
Having your period huh?
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:12PM
CAPS IS CRUISE CONTROL FOR COOL
Shmil @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:13PM
I AM ANGRY! YOU CAN TELL BECAUSE I'M TYPING WITH THE CAPS LOCK ON!
Benny @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:58PM
Thanks for starring out 'MOTHER FUCKING'.
Marshmallow713 @ Apr 23rd 2008 7:09PM
It took all my self-control not to reply like that. haha. Its fucking lame. All you can say is its not enough evidence for anything too specific. Nothing is technically ruined, but it doesn't help. Also, don't watch any of the new trailers. There is a HUGE fucking spoiler in the newest one.
deadpool @ Apr 23rd 2008 11:52PM
Wouldn't it be funny if 'suicide' and 'implied child rape' summed up MGS4.
No? Ok, back to my dungeon.
ssuk @ Apr 24th 2008 4:03AM
Nothing says "Get off the internet, now" quite like block capitals and self-censoring.
Britton @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:58PM
Is the child rape in real time or is it in a cut scene?
PS: This is dependent on whether I buy a PS3 or not.
Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:02PM
This part better use motion controls, that's for damn sure...
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:13PM
Never been a better time for Dualshock 3.
Trev @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:00PM
As the Kyle says, Kojima Productions clarified this. It is not rape, it is "child trauma". Not only that, but it's probably something we knew about two games ago.
*spoiler... maybe*
Sunny, the only child we've seen in the game and daughter of Olga Gurlukovich, was kidnapped by the Patriots or agents thereof just before the events of MGS2, which is why Olga was fighting Snake on the tanker. The closest thing we have to a confirmed agent of the Patriots is Ocelot, and getting kidnapped by him sounds pretty fucking traumatic.
*end spoiler*
The difference is that she's actually in this game instead of briefly mentioned.
deaftly @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:03PM
I always knew old Snake would be pedo.
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:14PM
MGS4: the heart-shattering "love" story between an old soldier and a child.
Sora267 @ Apr 23rd 2008 7:58PM
I guess thats why one of the songs on the MGS stage in Brawl is "MGS4:Theme of Love".
Ethan @ Apr 24th 2008 12:02AM
Guns of the pederasts!
MJ @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:04PM
@ Syric Zero, the first trailer showed Snake holding a gun in his mouth saying 'he must wipe his genes from the face of the earth' or words to that effect.
The 'child rape' now mentioned as child trauma is probably something to do with Sunny.
It probably isn't anything to do with rape or anything like that.
More likely it is in regards to the fact that she was held by the patriots, away from her mother (Olga). We know that she was saved at some point due to her being with Otacon and Naomi in the trailers.
So no real spoilers in this, only thing slightly spoilerish is that 'references to suicide' which could imply 'no suicide'.