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The UK's Video Standards Council Rating Board has refused to issue a UK Certificate of Classification (archive) for the JRPG game Omega Labyrinth Z, due to it "clearly [promoting] the sexualisation of children". The publisher's appeal of the decision was rejected. This is the first game to be banned in the UK since Manhunt 2, which was initially refused classification by the British Board of Film Classification, but eventually classified "18" after censorship, a second refusal, and an appeal.:
The game is explicit in its setting within a "school" environment and the majority of the characters are young girls - one child is referred to as being a "first year" student and is seen holding a teddy bear. The game clearly promotes the sexualisation of children via the sexual interaction between the game player and the female characters. The style of the game is such that it will attract an audience below the age of 18.
There is a serious danger that impressionable people, i.e. children and young people viewing the game would conclude that the sexual activity represented normal sexual behaviour. There is a constant theme of sexual innuendo and activity throughout the game that suggests behaviour likely to normalise sexual activity towards children. As a means of reward gained by successfully navigating the game, the player has the means to sexually stimulate the female characters by using either a hand held remote device or touch screen software.
The VSC Rating Board believes this content in a game, which would have strong appeal to non-adult players, is an issue which would be unacceptable to the majority of UK consumers and, more importantly, has the potential to be significantly harmful in terms of the social and moral development of younger people in particular.
Omega Labyrinth Z was released in Japan on July 6, 2017 for the PlayStation Vita and PS4 platforms, and will be released in North America and Europe in early 2018. The game was also refused classification in Australia and Germany, and will not be released in New Zealand or Ireland.
The UK's Digital Economy Act 2010 shifted responsibility for classifying most video games from the British Board of Film Classification to the Video Standards Council.
In unrelated news, Luigi may or may not have a penis.
Also at BBC, Gamasutra, and Kotaku.
(Score: 1, Troll) by Captival on Saturday March 17 2018, @11:42PM (5 children)
Trump is still exactly like Hitler because he thinks video games may influence violent behavior.
Please counter this statement and prove how intellectually superior you are via the "I played games and haven't murdered anyone" argument.
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 18 2018, @12:07AM
Both Trump and the UK are simply incorrect. I don't think you even had a point.
Or how about we just point out that there is no good scientific evidence that demonstrates a link between violence/aggression in real life and video games. There are just too many factors involved. No need for silly anecdotal evidence, especially when the other side relies on pseudoscience (or gut feelings).
(Score: 3, Funny) by unauthorized on Sunday March 18 2018, @03:20AM
So, Hitler thought that video games may influence violent behavior? Before video games were invented? Mein gott, Illuminati confirmed!
(Score: 3, Insightful) by maxwell demon on Sunday March 18 2018, @09:33AM
I'm going to counter that statement, but not through the route you want, sorry.
Indeed, the statement is wrong for the simple reason that Hitler did not know video games. And if he had known them and thought that it influenced violence, I'm sure he would have promoted their use; after all, a lot of his politics aimed at the militarization of the youth (so that they would make willing soldiers for his wars).
The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
(Score: 2) by MichaelDavidCrawford on Sunday March 18 2018, @10:10AM
I am mentally ill yet never shot anyone.
I even get paranoid sometimes.
Sometimes I even hallucinate.
And I even possess an Idaho State Gun Safety Card. I am very proud to have it.
And I _AM_ A Proud American!
Yet I Do Not Possess Any Guns.
Put THAT in your soundbite and smoke it.
Yes I Have No Bananas. [gofundme.com]
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Monday March 19 2018, @01:22PM
I played extremely violent games, such as Frogger, and Galaga, and haven't killed anyone . . . yet.
To transfer files: right-click on file, pick Copy. Unplug mouse, plug mouse into other computer. Right-click, paste.