BBFC says no link between games and violence, but defends ban of Manhunt 2 video game.

The British Board of Film Classification, the United Kingdom's ratings board for films and video games, refused a rating for the video game "Manhunt 2" last summer. That means that the game is banned from the UK. Even the edited version, which was downgraded from an "Adult's Only" rating to a "Mature" rating by the Entertainment Software Rating Board, was refused classification. The BBFC's reasoning behind the refusal is the fear that children might imitate the violence in the game.

However, the BBFC admits there is no proven connection between video games and violence. Andrew Caldecott, the attorney for the ratings board, says, "The board's position is that there is insufficient evidence to prove, as a fact, there is a casual connection between video games and behavioural harm...".

So let me get this straight. The BBFC refuses classification to a game on the grounds that it may turn the young ones violent, but they have no factual proof. This is just the BBFC throwing their weight around and shoving their moral beliefs down the throats of the British citizens. I feel bad and sorry for Rockstar and Take-Two (the developers and publishers of the game). They deserve better than this.

Source: Kotaku

You can read about the appeal here.