Dutch Ministry powerless to ban controversial title
Rockstar’s Manhunt 2 may soon enjoy a bone fide release in Europe – albeit only in Holland.
The Dutch Ministry has declined to intervene in the title’s path to retail in the territory – as it would conflict with current Netherlands law.
According to the Associated Press, it will still be possible to prosecute people who distribute the game to those under 16-years-old, but no such case has yet been tried in the country.
In a letter to Parliament, Justice Minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin said:
‘The current law is based on the principle that every adult is considered capable of deciding for himself which games he wants to play, unless it contains illegal material.’
Deciding on whether children should be allowed to play a game is currently ‘the joint responsibility of parents, the audiovisual industry and the government,’ he continued.
He said that his ministry was now examining whether new laws or policies were needed ‘to better protect the youth’.
Hirsch Ballin also pleaded for a unified EU standard for video game ratings.
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Comments
Splurgen Fuergen
Good - no need to import from the US of A
Re: Splurgen Fuergen
Nice one, importing from Holland!
Re: Splurgen Fuergen
that's the way we do it in Holland ;)
Re: Splurgen Fuergen
still useless since Nintendo and Sony will not allow this to be published with an AO-rating
Re: Splurgen Fuergen
Rating in europe should be different from US, usually a game is rated 16, 18 or 18+, different from place to place. In italy a game rated 18+ (Splinter Cell ^^ for wii) is sold in shops as the others... I love holland ;)
Re: Splurgen Fuergen
"the principle that every adult is considered capable of deciding for himself which games he wants to play, unless it contains illegal material"
Isn't it sad that more and more countries try to move towards the neutering of the masses as done in the hated dictatorial regimes they're claiming to wage war on. Thankfully this country is still one of the least condescending ones in the world despite other faults it might have.
Re: Splurgen Fuergen
heh. yeah christopher you are a little confused. the AO rating is in AMERICA. they dont have AO ratings in europe. for example the highets rating is 18 in UK, and they allow them on consoles. i imagine it will be rated the equivalent in holland. and in america it is now rated M anyway. so yay for all! (except us in australia who will never get it cos the countries policies in regards to games just plain sucks balls)
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