A Free America Against Censorship of Manhunt 2
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Nintendo of America, Sony Computer Entertainment, Microsoft Corporation, Take-Two Interactive Software, and Rockstar Games
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This petition submitted on June 21, 2007 is hereby presented to Nintendo of America, Sony Computer Entertainment, Microsoft Corporation, Take-Two Interactive Software, Rockstar Games, future console developers, and other software developers. We hereby petition the above organizations to reevaluate the current policy towards software titles rated by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) to be AO (Adults Only), specifically the decision in lacking endorsement to said titles in being released. The American public has the ability to decide for themselves what software they wish to buy and would like to be given the chance to do so freely in the marketplace.
Whereas ongoing study into videogames and their effects on youth is warranted the cases made by various organizations to effectively strangle the industry from the benefits afforded other medium formats is disturbing considering the demographic markets of said modern game systems are not focused merely in a youth bracket. Sega's Pico system and LeapFrog's LeapPad are strictly youth-oriented systems, while the Sony PS2/PS3, Nintendo Wii, and Microsoft Xbox 360 are not.
Whereas Americans deserve discourse on this subject in the public arena outside of message boards, blogs, academic peer-reviewed journals, and electoral venues, a debate on this issue between the major players covered live on television is far overdue and would allow more forward motion in the freedom of choice in the marketplace.
Whereas educated and continued discussion on the part of the American society may be a democratic and healthy example for foreign countries facing the same debilitating condition of censorship.
Whereas the ESRB in its wisdom rated Manhunt 2 AO, discussion into the discrepancies between not only the various ratings systems of media, but also the mismatch M rating of Manhunt-similar titles within software is necessary.
Whereas public outcry against adult-rated material will continually exist, console and software companies must decide whether to accept the reality of videogames as a form of artistic expression or back down and allow library content to be dictated in part by outside influences.
Whereas each console-maker and developer has a responsibility to protect children from software content deemed unsuitable through ratings, continual assistance from retailers in adhering to proper sales procedure, and from parents and other adults adhering to rating suggestions will allow fair artistic expression and safer software consumption by all parties.
Whereas the exclusion of Manhunt 2 from the console market due to its rating is a violation of Free Speech of the developer and interferes with the rights of the American People to its consumption, we the undersigned support Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive Software in their fight against censorship and request console makers Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft to support artistic expression through active discussion and allowing software titles designated as AO to be supported by their consoles so they find shelf space in the marketplace.
Whereas ongoing study into videogames and their effects on youth is warranted the cases made by various organizations to effectively strangle the industry from the benefits afforded other medium formats is disturbing considering the demographic markets of said modern game systems are not focused merely in a youth bracket. Sega's Pico system and LeapFrog's LeapPad are strictly youth-oriented systems, while the Sony PS2/PS3, Nintendo Wii, and Microsoft Xbox 360 are not.
Whereas Americans deserve discourse on this subject in the public arena outside of message boards, blogs, academic peer-reviewed journals, and electoral venues, a debate on this issue between the major players covered live on television is far overdue and would allow more forward motion in the freedom of choice in the marketplace.
Whereas educated and continued discussion on the part of the American society may be a democratic and healthy example for foreign countries facing the same debilitating condition of censorship.
Whereas the ESRB in its wisdom rated Manhunt 2 AO, discussion into the discrepancies between not only the various ratings systems of media, but also the mismatch M rating of Manhunt-similar titles within software is necessary.
Whereas public outcry against adult-rated material will continually exist, console and software companies must decide whether to accept the reality of videogames as a form of artistic expression or back down and allow library content to be dictated in part by outside influences.
Whereas each console-maker and developer has a responsibility to protect children from software content deemed unsuitable through ratings, continual assistance from retailers in adhering to proper sales procedure, and from parents and other adults adhering to rating suggestions will allow fair artistic expression and safer software consumption by all parties.
Whereas the exclusion of Manhunt 2 from the console market due to its rating is a violation of Free Speech of the developer and interferes with the rights of the American People to its consumption, we the undersigned support Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive Software in their fight against censorship and request console makers Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft to support artistic expression through active discussion and allowing software titles designated as AO to be supported by their consoles so they find shelf space in the marketplace.
4849 Signatures
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L. Ray Porter
- Age
- 28
- Comments
- I do not support videogame censorship.
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Nicholas Oudsema
- Age
- 23
- Comments
- Free Manhunt 2!
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Tony Russo
- Age
- 19
- Comments
- Let AO console games exist
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Christopher Gilley
- Age
- 20
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Chris Culverwell
- Age
- 24
- Comments
- The rating system alone determines what games can and cannot be sold to children. By banning a game or by declaring AO rating and thus not liscensing it or stocking is a direct insult to adults everywhere. Unless the fear is that children will get to play the game which only points out that the ESRB rating system is flawed and useless. So which is it?
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john
- Age
- 21
- Comments
- responsable gamers should not suffer
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Heath Justin Chaney
- Age
- 18
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Pete Karson
- Age
- 25
- Comments
- What ever happen to the 1st amendment?
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Andrew E. McAdams
- Age
- 23
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James Bradberry
- Age
- 18
- Comments
- I sign and support this petition as it speaks the truth.
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Adam L
- Age
- 19
- Comments
- The AO barrier is something that needs to be crossed at some point, and I think that the time is now. Come on Sony and Nintendo, you know this makes good business sense!
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Andrew D. Rowe
- Age
- 19
- Comments
- I thought the US of A had freedoms, not indirect routes to censorship and banishment
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Dr. Dude
- Age
- 23
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Jared Diogo
- Age
- 21
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Mikey
- Age
- 12
- Comments
- I want my torture simulator. Killing is cool yo!
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David Monticchio
- Age
- 19
- Comments
- I've seen movies with worse content that only get R ratings
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Kendall Phillips
- Age
- 20
- Comments
- This game should be released as is. The AO rating is total crap because M already implys that it's intended for ADULTS!!! Mature people who can handle it!
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Alex Andrew
- Age
- 22
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Robert Johnson
- Age
- 18
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brian
- Age
- 20
- Comments
- free speech for the dumb
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david
- Age
- 26
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M A L
- Age
- 15
- Comments
- Let parents judge maturity, not the ESRB who do not even know who we are.
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Tegan Valo
- Age
- 13
- Comments
- Nintendo; whats the point of the Wii's parental controls if you don't allow these games anyway???
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Eric Ferrell
- Age
- 18
- Comments
- a/o FOR THE WII
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Cathryn Kay
- Age
- 23
- Comments
- Console makers are about to miss an opportunity to truly expand the gaming art form
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Joshua
- Age
- 21
- Comments
- Release it. UNALTERED
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Sean
- Age
- 21
- Comments
- You have no right to tell us what we can and cannot view. We will decide for ourselfs.
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arianna
- Age
- 18
- Comments
- Oh come on! the movies like hostel2 can be watched by whoever wants but a game can't be played??? we're not in de inquisition anymore STOP CENSURING!
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James Hall
- Age
- 25
- Comments
- I want to be able to buy this game, it is bull-crap that you don't support AO titles.
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Martin Espinoza
- Age
- 30
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Drew
- Age
- 18
- Comments
- i think its bull that manhunt 2 may recieve this Ao rating, and also i beleave the esrb have something agianst rockstar games.
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Nick Spartz
- Age
- 18
- Comments
- With regard to most gamers being over 18 now, this is a game that should be released.
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Larry McDonald
- Age
- 37
- Comments
- You people don't decide what game is appropriate for me. I do!
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Deborah McDonald
- Age
- 30
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shipoopi
- Age
- 19
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Edward
- Age
- 18
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Ryan Thomas Warner
- Age
- 24
- Comments
- My favorite platform is PSP (shock!), and I was hoping to get this title for my platform of choice. I'll be dissapointed to have to buy a copy for the PC (mine sucks) if the version I want isn't available.
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James G.
- Age
- 22
- Comments
- Write your congressmen. We must stop this censorship.
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Jamie S.
- Age
- 35
- Comments
- It's hypocracy that the consoles can play any manner of rated and un-rated movies, yet have a ratings cap for games that is not user-controlled.
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Kevin Murray
- Age
- 24
- Comments
- I would like to see more adult content on video games, after all the average age is in that magical age demographic of 18-34 male.
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Jeff Rummel
- Age
- 25
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Dan O'Sullivan
- Age
- 34
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Nelson Gonzalez
- Age
- 33
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Jose Asensio
- Age
- 20
- Comments
- Please bring it to spain (or at least hang it on emule/pando if you aren't allowed to sell it)
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yannic
- Age
- 19
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Steven Yackel
- Age
- 23
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Louie Corbo
- Age
- 23
- Comments
- В
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Richard H. Scott
- Age
- 39
- Comments
- It is a matter of freedom of choice to play whatever video / console games I find valuable of my time.
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Vincent
- Age
- 26
- Comments
- It's up to the parents of these children to teach them real life from make believe!
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ashley porter
- Age
- 22
- Comments
- AO shouldn't be banned
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4849
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