Battleangel

Not exactly news anymore, but fun nevertheless. The moralists are marching with the PEGI System (Pan European game information).
Age rating is one thing to slap on a product because is has potential dual use since some games might be unsuitable for young ppl because they are just too complex. What is more troubling is the additional classification system based on the following criteria:

Discrimination Game contains depictions of, or material which may encourage discrimination

Drugs Game refers to or depicts the use of drugs

Geeezzzus! I’m getting fed up with with political correctness. I am convinced that nothing good will come from this. Life is a complex construction. You can’t filter out “fear” or “bad language” from everyday life. This creates a cushioned fantasy world that is more unreal than the games that are rated. And I must add that I find no evidence in modern psychology to warrant anything like this. This has got nothing to do with science … it’s a matter of faith (dogma).

Fear Game may be frightening or scary for young children

Bad Language Game contains bad language

Of course I understand that this is in no way a censorship. But it sends signals about what is proper and what is not. The “moral majority” has acted. Now it’s time for the rest of us to strike back (vengeance is bad science as well, but it is the irrevocable counteraction).
Also, even if you could show that violence in games produces violent individuals, the other five rating symbols would still be obsolete. We’re going down the same path again. We’ve been here before. We’ve heard all the bullshit. It’s like after Columbine when delirious parents and religious groups accused Marilyn Manson. Manson commented on this in Bowling for Columbine saying that he’d wish he had that kind of influence .. but he hasn’t. He also reminded us that there are many aspects of society and that there are no simple answers. For example. What is worst - listening to violent music or hearing that your country is invading another sovereign nation in the middle east? Just think about it …
Again, policy makers are going after the easy targets instead of changing domestic and foreign policy. That is low. And ultimately a waste of money and good science.

Sex Game depicts nudity and/or sexual behaviour or sexual references

Violence Game contains depictions of violence