Following gamers' rejoice that Manhunt 2 finally got approved, it was only natural that politicians started their campaigns against its new and reduced rating.
California State Senator Leland Yee, whose 2005 legislation banning the sale of violent videogames was recently determined to be unconstitutional, demanded that the ESRB disclose specific reasons for the new rating.
But ESRB chose to stand its ground and refused to change its decision or divulge the changes Rockstar made to Manhunt 2 in order to receive Mature rating instead of its precedent Adult Only rating.
" Publishers submit game content to the ESRB on a confidential basis. It is simply not our place to reveal specific details about the content we have reviewed, particularly when it involves a product not yet released", said ESRB president Patricia Vance said in a formal written response. " What can be said is that the changes that were made to the game, including the depictions themselves and the context in which those depictions were presented, were sufficient to warrant the assignment of an M (Mature 17+) rating by our raters."
" the ESRB assigned a rating of M (Mature 17+) with content descriptors for Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content and Use of Drugs", Patricia Vance stressed that "is a very clear and firm warning to parents that the game is in no way intended for children. As always, we urge parents to strongly consider the ESRB rating in their decision about whether a game is appropriate for their children.
Clearly unpleased by ESRB's response, Senator Yee has called for the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the ESRB.
