Dark Sector and ESRB's alarming "request" |
We honestly don't know what to make out of this. Gaming Today received from Digital Extremes an email concerning the upcoming Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 title Dark Sector. Apparently, there was a "request" coming from Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) to take down Digital Extremes' recent trailers for Dark Sector.So as not to add any more confusion to this, here's a part of the said email from the development studio:
We recently received a ruling from the ESRB stating that the two officially released Dark Sector gameplay montages have been deemed to contain excessive or offensive content; and to this end are not to be available for download or viewing, regardless of being placed behind an age gate.
However, the ESRB's own recommended best practice guides for trailers and age gates is in conflict with the above mentioned request:
The online age gates must ask the age of the web user in a neutral manner and must employ reasonable steps to prevent users under the age of 17 (or 18) from changing their age to be older once they have initially been prevented access to the website... Acceptable forms of age verification include inserting an age or date of birth field on the web page where access is provided to a demo or trailer...
Digital Extremes said that this development will in no way effect the final gameplay content of Dark Sector. The guys over at Gaming Today tried to contact Dark Sector publisher D3Publisher and ESRB for comments but were unable to do so.
Via Gaming Today
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Comments [refresh]
The squeeky wheel gets the grease. This has to stop. The misconception behind "violent" games have gone too far and people out there who think they are actually doing good are getting their ways. KNOCK IT OFF!!!
i have these vids on my X360 - who are they offensive to? the guy made of pixels who was just killed?
stupid ESRB - go rate some games > dont ban our trailers.
btw: wtf is up with the lack of content on XBOX Live Marketplace lately???
I would make the suggestion that the independent body (ESRB) we have allowed to voluntarily rate our games and trailers are feeling political pressure. The idea behind the ESRB was to self-regulate in the same way that the Music and Movie industry had done. This was an effort to prevent the government from stepping (as were the decisions from the other two entertainment industries to do so). However, as video-games and their perceived harm has become a political hot-button issue, the ESRB is feeling the heat.
I believe you will see more rulings like this, as they attempt to prove that the industry can properly police itself. The obvious flaw in this logic, however, is that by caving to political pressure, the government has indirectly taken control of the once 'independent' body.
The digital generation may not be particularly inclined to take interest in politics, but now might be a good time to reconsider. The first amendment (as it has been since it's inception) is in serious danger. When the media (regardless of the form it's presented in) is under the oversight of any government body (directly or indirectly, i would say) then we should be concerned.
O communism ..... o faschism
feaaaarr nooooott!!!!!
you still are here
still near and dear
o communism ....... o faschism
restrict
uuuus
froooooommm
ouurrrrrr
FEAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAARRRRRRRRRRRR RRRSSS!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!
mother*****ing censorship...... im sick of it, do a better job as parents, its not like theyre showing se7en on the PBS channel anyways
or putting sex scenes in SHREK games.....
Here's the reality of the situation, pjedi. We gamers are all fed-up. Every new title geared toward the 18+ demographic has become a target for the media, the government, and now (unfortunately) or former safeguard, the ESRB. This is due to a multitude of reasons, but here are the two most obvious. 1) Video-Games are stilled viewed as a children's activity, by and large, and (in accord with #1) 2) Taking the stance of protecting children from extreme acts of any questionable nature looks good. The only way for us to progress from being "fed-up" to being active is to use our voice. Ranting in comments alone will not accomplish this. Their needs to be a loud, rational, and intelligent out cry from the community that explains OUR positions, fears, and goals. Otherwise, we're all just crying to ourselves.
This is bull*****. Freedom of Speech gets raped again for the One-millionth time. Maybe it is time ESRB goes to hell. ESRB is the new Jack Thompson. Both of them can burn in hell for all I care.
Well well well. Looks like you PS3 owners will come running to XBOXe60 after all! Once they ban your useless trailers you will have nothing left
it's not their fault it bunch of stupid politicians who obviously have nothing better to do, pressuring them to do what THEY want. Obviously the war, the towering nation debt, immigration, poverty, health concerns, security, our military's hospitals, etc. isn't important enough for them, they want to blame the entire video game industry for little Jimmy playing GTA when its his parents that buy it for him, not checking if its appropriate for him. The politcians know thats the issue but they rather put their politcal careers in front of everything else.
Whos Jimmy? You mean me?
Hey, the battle isn't over, it's just started, fanboy... oh, and by the way, you spelt XBOX360 (not "e60") incorrectly. ;)
I can not believe this crap. How can any company or government agency ever declare a VIDEO unsafe to watch. I understand "not safe for children." BUT under NO circumstance should a company declare what is safe or not safe FOR ME! Nobody but the individual should determine what is safe for him/herself.
(Not Exact) "One who gives up freedom for a little temporary safety deserves neither safety nor freedom." Benjamin Franklin/Thomas Jefferson
WHAT THE ***** IS THEIR *****ING PROBLEM
MOTHER *****ERS
Well lets stop complaining lets write to the ESRB. im going to start writing them everyday. I work in the industry and i feel this has nothing to do with the ESRB they rate games and put little stickers on tehm... not censor Video art work.
go here and send in comments. I suggest keeping them halfway reasonable. Remember we want to create awarness that were unhappy not retarded.
http://www.esrb.org/about/contact.jsp
The day someone speaks out against ESRB, ill become an underage drinker!
OMG you're still here...lol...guess you still haven't found any decent games to play on your 360, eh?
Too bad, my PS3's been keeping me busy.