[KillerGremlin]

On the topic of the ESRB...
I like the ESRB because they protect the freedom to make whatever you want. And that is something that is nice to have. I have absolutely zero interest in playing the 'controversial' Manhunt because I don't think I would have fun. However, when I was 13 me and my friends spent WEEKS playing Grand Theft Auto 3. We played the game endlessly, and it was awesome. Games like Grand Theft Auto 3, which also is considered 'controversial' by some, are fun to play. So, I respect the ESRB in the sense that because of them developers and producers are allowed to make whatever they want. Developers don't make whatever they want, and there are limitations (you don't see Adult games in stores), but it's a pretty decent system. Yeah, the ESRB is flawed. So is the store policy...

I just wish we could establish, as a society, that video games don't make people kill people. That's the hard work of poor upbringing combined with numerous sources. And by numerous sources I mean to say Video Games are no worse than Movies. I understand that the difference between a movie and a game is that in a game you are in control. I also understand that there is a large list of movies that are very violent and probably on par with some of the worst video games.

Also, in an ironic twist, the MPAA (motion picture association of america) gives harsher ratings to movies with BAD WORDS than movies with VIOLENCE. What the hell?

Back when I was playing Doom, a pixelated fantasy game, movies like Braveheart were out. I remember watching Braveheart before ever picking up Grand Theft Auto 3. If you haven't seen Braveheart - don't - because Mel Gibson is a twat. But, note that Braveheart has realistic violence that in my opinion is far worse than any of the pixelated violence portrayed in Grand Theft Auto. Thematically, Grand Theft Auto is MUCH MORE VIOLENT. But, the comparisson is still valid. And this is just one example.

It would be interesting to test something in a documentary. They should have two underaged kids go from store to store, and see if stores will sell them R-rated movies but not M-rated games. I think it would be very interesting. If I was a film major I would get on that.

I blame the media and Columbine for a lot of this. I remember watching some interviews pinning Doom and Marilyn Manson as a possible reason the kids shot up the school. You know, why not just go to the source and expose the TERRIBLE PARENTING. If your kid shoots up the school you should get life in prison for being a shitty parent. If you don't notice your kids building pipe bombs in your garage you deserve to rot in a cell. If I was a parent of the victims I would have pressed charges against the parents.