The AO rating and Consoles.

[Brokenscope]

I was just wondering about who knew about the licensing restrictions on AO games on the consoles, before the manhunt **** storm?

[Scoops]

I had no idea. I find it disappointing and am curious as to their rationale for it.

[Darth_Toxic]

I've known for a good while now. It's for the same reason that major studios won't release NC-17 movies (I.E. The Weinstein Company refusing to let Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez release Grindhouse with an NC-17 no matter how strongly the directors protested); they're afraid that it will damage their public image, and in the case of video game companies, that's the last thing they need in this day and age when they're already being treated like the Antichrist.

And then there's the very, very obvious problem of money loss from major theaters/retailers not carrying things with NC-17/AO ratings...

[beemoh]

I've known for a good while now. It's for the same reason that major studios won't release NC-17 movies

...but you can still play them on your DVD player, which is the more accurate parallel.

[Hannah]

...but you can still play them on your DVD player, which is the more accurate parallel.

Ahh, but the PC is the DVD player of video games. Unfortunately, it's still really damn hard to sell AO PC games -- most people are unwilling or unable to buy a game online.

[esutman]

I had no idea. I find it disappointing and am curious as to their rationale for it.

Basically, no game has ever gone to market AO for violence. That means without exception all AO games are pornographic. Console manufacturers know very well that parents and legislators are more leniant when it comes to violence than with pornographic content, and laws all over are more strict concerning distributing pornographic materials to children. In a nutshell, it's a headache they neither need or want to deal with. The catch is that while pornographic games are an unsavory group at best, it's still a legitimate market and some people are displeased that console manufacturers are willing to essentially shut that market out entirely. Also, since it IS possible for games to receive an AO for violence a la MH2, games that would on a case-by-case basis probably be accepted by distributors and retailers gets shut out, fairly or not.

EDIT:

Actually, it's worth noting that it's not too unreasonable that console manufacturers have SOME ceiling on what they put on their systems, and they use rating systems as a shorthand for that. Unfortunately, the problem with generalizing things that were subjective from the start is that, predictably enough, is that sometimes the baby gets thrown out with the bathwater. Manhunt 2, it would seem, is the unlikely baby.

[ZippyDSMlee]

Basically, no game has ever gone to market AO for violence. That means without exception all AO games are pornographic. Console manufacturers know very well that parents and legislators are more leniant when it comes to violence than with pornographic content, and laws all over are more strict concerning distributing pornographic materials to children. In a nutshell, it's a headache they neither need or want to deal with. The catch is that while pornographic games are an unsavory group at best, it's still a legitimate market and some people are displeased that console manufacturers are willing to essentially shut that market out entirely. Also, since it IS possible for games to receive an AO for violence a la MH2, games that would on a case-by-case basis probably be accepted by distributors and retailers gets shut out, fairly or not.

EDIT:

Actually, it's worth noting that it's not too unreasonable that console manufacturers have SOME ceiling on what they put on their systems, and they use rating systems as a shorthand for that. Unfortunately, the problem with generalizing things that were subjective from the start is that, predictably enough, is that sometimes the baby gets thrown out with the bathwater. Manhunt 2, it would seem, is the unlikely baby.

MS should step up and become the Sega of today and have their own approval process to clear AO games on it(Dev>ESRB>if AO> MS gets final say), this way they can weed out sex games and leave in DOA with topless nudity and have high profile games like Man hunt 2 on their system, MS should play to their strength not water down for the mainstream.