Postal Designer Talks Manhunt 2 with GameSpot

June 22, 2007
GameSpot's Brendan Sinclair has a nice interview with a guy who knows a thing or two about video game violence controversies - Vince Desi (left) of Running with Scissors. Among Desi's comments:
Whether I or any other developer or gamer likes, loves, or hates Manhunt 2 is not the issue. The real issue is we as an industry allow ourselves to be set up. I'm a big fan of the ESRB, I think in general they do a great job.

The dilemma is that while we are supposedly a free society...  the fact is government, hypocritical politicians, and the media dictate directly and indirectly who wins and loses, or who gets to play, so to speak. Does Hillary really have a clue?

...I think there is a need for both [ESA & ESRB], but I agree I would prefer them to be independent, and I truly believe it would be more helpful to our industry. Clearly it would improve their credibility. RWS has always supported both groups, regardless of how we've been scapegoated in the industry...

The video game industry is too easy for [politicians] to complain about, and with a presidential election next year I can only imagine the pseudo talking points we'll be hearing. It could be the only issue the Democrats and Republicans agree upon.

Catch the full interview here.
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Comments

Submitted by Terrible Tom (not verified) on Fri, 06/22/2007 - 05:05.
I am the anti-pop. I'll run against the grain 'til the day I drop. I am the anti-pop the man you can not stop.

Submitted by ZippyDSMlee (not verified) on Fri, 06/22/2007 - 08:37.
Terrible Tom
they say that until they get elected then take the status quo to new heights...er lows..... er carnage....ya carnage is right....

Submitted by Toastrider (not verified) on Fri, 06/22/2007 - 08:56.
Wait, I thought the ESA and ESRB were independent -- that was the whole point of forming them, so that we didn't have to let 'da guvmint' try and rate games and whatnot.

--TR

Submitted by TK (not verified) on Fri, 06/22/2007 - 09:58.
They're technically independent, but they deal with a lot of pressure from the government (read: vote-hungry pols). Plus, a lot of these bills planning to restrict "violent" or "explicit" games would basically turn the ESRB into a regulatory agency relied on by the government, unless they plan on creating a new ratings board.

Submitted by Eli Mordino (not verified) on Fri, 06/22/2007 - 10:37.
Who gives a wank what he thinks? The Postal games are a waste of space. Gameplay is abominably bad and despite what some have claimed there is zero clever or insightful commentary on anything. It doesn't satirise people, it just insults them.

Submitted by ZippyDSMlee (not verified) on Fri, 06/22/2007 - 13:17.
Eli Mordino
thats not the point the point is censorship, if the indusrty and the goverment had the balls to make a adult game class that would not be treated like shit this all would go away and games liek postal and manhunt would sale on their own merit not the contravserty they bring.

Submitted by Mr. Blond (not verified) on Fri, 06/22/2007 - 20:33.
I hate the Postal games with a passion, but think Desi is one of the most insightful voices within the industry on this issue.

Submitted by Terrible Tom (not verified) on Sat, 06/23/2007 - 21:23.
Id be down with a new ratings board. ESRB sucks.

Submitted by ZippyDSMlee (not verified) on Sun, 06/24/2007 - 10:35.
Terrible Tom
sadly even it the ESRB droped dead and something else replaced it retail would still defcto ban adult gaming....
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