This is just getting ridiculous now. Some sick and sadistic 17 year old murders a friend and expects to get off lightly because it was a 'Video Games fault' This really makes me sick to the stomach, mainly because I know that the non gaming public will accept it as that and in a few weeks time they will draw lawsuits up against Rockstar.

In this case I think the major offender isn't the retailer or the game. Its the parents. They allowed they son to buy and play this game. Sure they probably have no knowledge of games etc but perhaps they should take notice of what their under 18 son likes to do from time to time. Perhaps they would have found a worrying pattern to his activities and found what had mentally scarred him.

I have to admit, I'm not overly impressed with the direction Manhunt went in. Its a bad game and it is overly violent in my opinion and crosses the line in alot of ways. But I own the game and I have played it as well. Hell I've been playing violent games since I was 14. Have murdered or attacked anyone yet? No. Do I want to attack anyone in anyway? No.

It did seem a little farfetched when DOOM was blamed for 'Columbine' style shootings in the USA, but there is clearly a growing problem that needs to be addressed with violence in games, especially as graphics become more and more 'realistic'.
A ratings system which is not enforced is pointless, even though kids who want to get these games will find a way, there has to be a working system in place.

Don't get me wrong, I love (some) violent games, but I'm 30.
There are countless statistics to prove that depictions of violence and sex can affect young children, pornography is also directly linked to rape and abuse of women, but these facts are usually sidelined over arguments about 'free speech' and comments like 'people were violent before videogames/movies too'.

What would help a little more than a ratings system is developers/publishers and especially parents showing more responsibility. The amount of times I've seen a parent buying GTA or some other 'adult' game for their 11 year old simply baffles me.

So his parents knew that he was obsessed with a murder-sim that he was not legally allowed to play? Surely the court won't let that go unnoticed? Also, I'd wager that he had some pre-existing problems. If the parents knew of (or suspected) any, they have to question why they bought him the game. In fact, they should perhaps do that anyway, as should anyone that purchases an 18-rated game for a child.

As for the issue with magazines, I wholeheartedly agree. Look at Gamesmaster, which ran Manhunt as a cover game for it's September 2003 issue. Looking at their "GMpals" section, lots of the readers seem to be 10-15 year olds. I understand they can't simply ignore it just because it's for their older readers, but surely some form of warning for parents is in order? The line on the front cover simply reads "It's sick. It's twisted. You're going to love it!". "Warning: Brutal first shots" simply sounds like marketing spiel rather than a serious warning. However, this makes it sound as if the magazines are entirely to blame, which is wrong.

Kids are going to see this, not understand quite how serious the content is, and they're going to ask for the game. A good parent is going to look at the BBFC rating and say "No chance in hell", but what of the parents who think that games can't possibly shock or offend because they're not real? We've moved beyond the days of Mortal Kombat's pixellated gore, and there's a genuine reason for the ratings on the box now - this is a message that desperately needs to be delivered to parents. So part of the blame lies with the parents who don't take gaming seriously still.

Perhaps it's time for both the industry and those opposing it to make some compromises?

Perhaps moving the age rating up from 18 to 21 might help a little. Also big clear red labelling about " This game is for adults only and anyone who sells it to a minor or does not ask for proof of age before selling will get in trouble. Kind of like the warning label that graces many music albums and singles with explicit lyrics.

Only problem is that mail ordering and online shopping shoot straight through the loop whole. Banning them clearly isn't the answer to the problem. There is also still the stigma attached to gaming, that only kids play when that's changed and it's now anyone.

I expect the day will come, when you buy a game like Manhunt, you'll have to sign an agreement saying that whether the game is for an adult or minor to play, and that buying it you can't come back crying wolf when something goes wrong, and your child goes on a killing spree, which you will receive a signed and dated copy of also. This way Rockstar etc, and the game retailer are covered, and we would only have ourselves and bad parenting to blame. It's only a matter of time.

I think the games industry is societies modern scapegoat, because unlike films and music they sell loads but aren't consumed by as many people and then become misunderstood, I noticed they said the chap played Manhunt, but most people who own a PS2 also own many DVDs, but I doubt if they went through his DVD collection. Everyone who owns a PS2 will be a possible target.

UPDATE: I just heard that Dixons have removed Manhunt from sale, so the ball has already started rolling though it won't make a bit of difference. Even if it's a crap game the media is now gonna make people want it even more, if not to play as a collectors item. You can still get Child's Play trilogy and this will be no different in a year.

>Perhaps it's time for both the industry and those
>opposing it to make some compromises?

On this I totaly agree, however as long as the compromise doesnt end up something like peopel under 18 are only allowed to play the tweenis revisited 5. :S

Anyway i think the blame for this can be spread to the developers, magazine advertising and parents who just dont care. Well i say dont care but i think the ratings arnthat clear expecialy on the pegi rating its not greatly clear so in my opinion it should be on the front like movie certificates. I know this does not apply to manhunt or GTA as they have a bbfc rating or something to that effect. But after that it is down to the shops they should not sell these games to a parent if there child is in the shop. I have seen this many times.
Son ' mum can i have this please'
Mum 'i dont know its an 18'
Son 'Yea but its not that bad i mean its a ps2 game, its not realistic like a movie'
Mum ' Ok then i see your point'

then they just buy it, that is as simple as it is i mean i once bought tiberian sun by saying my mum was waiting outside, I had to do this because some shop assistant didnt belive me age and wouldnt allow me to purchase it.