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Target won't take part in "Manhunt 2"
Filed under: Places To Go, Gadgets, That's Entertainment
Big box retailer Target has decided not to carry the violent video game Manhunt 2 this holiday season, citing the games excessive violence and the ease of accessing unrated, normally filtered material. The game focuses on the killing spree of a sociopath escaped from a mental hospital and features characters killing and torturing each other."All video games and computer software sold at Target currently carry ratings by the Entertainment Software Rating Board -- from early childhood through mature audiences," noted a statement from the company. "While 'Manhunt 2' was given a 'Mature' rating by the ESRB, we received additional information that players can potentially view previously filtered content by altering the game code. As a result, we have decided not to carry the game."
Personally, I don't see the point or the value in such games. I don't like violence and see no positive value in including it in the video games. Still, if an adult wants to play such a game, I'm not going to say they can't. Likewise, I'm not going to force Target to sell it to them. If they, as a company, choose to miss out on a fair bit of potential profit in order to stick to their principles, then they have that right.
What do you think? Would you prefer that Target not censor its offerings or do you like the fact that Target is a store with perhaps a smidge less violence on its shelves?
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
11-12-2007 @ 2:07PM
ooklamok said...Well, I think the question:
"What do you think? Would you prefer that Target not censor its offerings or do you like the fact that Target is a store with perhaps a smidge less violence on its shelves?"
...is quite loaded. It's like saying, "is it ok for Target to not sell it, or are you pro-violence?"
Either way, it is up to Target. I do think it is censorship in a way... Target is a huge reseller, if they don't sell the game, it doesn't make money, not because people don't want it, but because it isn't available. In return, the game companies who make it change their content so that Target will carry the games.
Result? Adults who like violent games can no longer get them.
Sounds like a slippery slope? Well Target and Walmart are the largest retailers of video games in the country... without their support, companies go out of business.
All to protect the children, who's parents should be doing the censorship in the first place.
Reply
11-12-2007 @ 3:01PM
Roger Sinasohn said...It seems to me that in order to buy and play this game, one must be pro-violence, at least as far as video games go. Some people like that. I don't get it, nor do I personally think it's all that healthy, but I'm not going to complain about it.
Now, some people would want Target to sell it, so they can buy it there. Perhaps, they need to go to Target for dental floss anyway. Perhaps Target is cheaper. Whatever.
On the other hand, some people might want to take their kids to Target, a family-oriented store, to let them pick out a video game for their birthday or for a holiday gift. Those folks might prefer that Manhunt 2 not be there so they don't have to deal with arguing about not buying that game. Or, perhaps they don't trust that the people behind the counter will check the rating on the game before selling it to a minor.
As for the slippery slope... Target doesn't sell pornography and that's still very much available. I'm sure Manhunt 2 will continue to be available from specialty video game stores, so I'm not worried.
I agree that parents need to be vigilant about knowing what games they are playing, but to be practical, my -- reasonably involved -- parents didn't know half the stuff I was into.
In any case, I think that my question is valid -- although I will admit trying to phrase it to suit the audience. Would parents prefer Target sell a wider variety of items, including hyper-violent games, or do parents look to Target to be a somewhat more family-friendly environment?
Reply
11-13-2007 @ 12:38PM
Ooklamok said...On the same note then, should Target not sell movies with "ultra-violence"? Should they not sell books that mention violence? Kite Runner is an excellent book that Target recommends, yet it has a scene of unspeakable violence involving children. Should it be banned? When the movie is released to DVD, should it be banned?
Why are video games the target? (no pun intended :) )
This sounds alot like the rhetoric against heavy metal in the 80's.
I understand the argument that we need to protect the children, but if we are going to protect them from violent images, shouldn't it be all or nothing?
Target is merely jumping on a bandwagon.
The problem is with the retailers not enforcing already in place ratings. Would they sell "Saw III" to a kid? Maybe, but I don't know.
As for having to argue with the kids about not buying it, isn't easier to say "That is not for kids" than having to explain why you aren't buying them every toy in the store? Is it that hard for parents to say no to their kids? (Mine is only 1, I'm not there yet)
Also, you say that your parents didn't know half the stuff you were into, and that begs the question... did you grow up to be a bad or violent person? Back in my day, playing Dungeons and Dragons would lead to satanic cults, listening to Metallica would make you kill yourself, etc...
I'm not arguing that kids should play these games, far from it. I just think that Target shouldn't discriminate against video games because it is the popular thing to do right now.
Hell, by banning it, they have arguably more desirable.
Reply