Game developer bemoaned unfair treatment coused by protection of minors

[shams]

Its a really interesting topic IMO.

There is a distinct difference between watching a horrific movie - say some serial killer movie - and actually playing a game where you ARE the serial killer.

When watching, you mentally can take the position of anyone in the movie - you can appreciate what they are feeling, their emotions, etc. This includes the people being attacked as much as the attacker. It may come down to someones personality who they emphasise more with - but most people will feel sadness/remorse (at some level) for the people being attacked (depending on the movie of course).

With a game, I think its quite different. Its one thing to be in a "Silent Hill" scenario - where you are the innocent person, trying to escape from the "nasty" people. Something that aligns quite well with the common perception of "what is good", and what most people try to be like.

But once you force people into the opposite role - and setup game rules such that the player thinks like the murderer... I dunno, but I think it really can mess you up. Maybe its harmless fun - and maybe its not. It also does depend on how immersive it is. Manhunt2 (Wii) was an obvious example - and I really did think that it took things too far. God know what would happen if you combined that with PS3/360 realistic level graphics - in an American Psycho scenario... and setup rules that you got more points for really gruesome/creative kills.

Think of it this way - even if someone was doing these things to an inanimate object (a dummy, a tree, or something else) - it would be really disturbing - and someone watching the person hacking away would be freaked out (and possibly call the cops?). So is it ok to be doing these things in your own home, in a really visually realistic environment? Is it just fun, or is it simulated murder?

(I'm definitely no expert in this, and have only dabbled in psych subjects in the past)

...

Note that my rant only really applies to horrific "Manhunt" type scenarios. I think sex will eventually become popular in games, as will other non-violent (non-illegal?) adult themes.

...

For those that say that Manhunt type violence is ok... is there ANY limit for you?

 - Paedophila in games?

 - Gruesome hurting of minors/children/babies?

 - Murder of pets (popping eyes out with fingers?)

 - intricate torture scenes, or "Sims" type prisoner scenes? (starvation, cruelty, etc..)

Can you come up with a scenario you would NOT allow?