News: Ultraviolence

Today's Internet storm for video gamers was provoked by the recent announcements that "Manhunt 2" will be essentially banned in the UK and will probably be rated "Adults Only" in the U.S. (The "AO" rating is basically a kiss of death, as Wally World and other big box retailers generally don't sell AO-rated games). The controversy stems from the violent in-game executions that the main character of the game performs.

The distinction between video games and movies being shown here borders on nonsensical. How can movies like "Saw III" and "Hostel 2," which feature plenty of disturbing graphic violence, be released as "R" movies and sold in "family-friendly" establishments, when "Manhunt 2" can't? How can "unrated" DVDs regularly feature on mainstream store shelves, while "Manhunt 2" will be absent?

I was actually looking forward to this game, especially since I could play it on my Nintendo Wii. On the Wii version, when you execute people, you actually have to pantomime the hand motions with your controller. So if you're sawing a guy's leg off, for example, you make a sawing motion with the Wii remote. Yes, it's sick and disturbing - but it's also a game. Not reality. Most people can tell the difference.

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