The BBFC Themselves See No Direct Link Between Manhunt 2 and 'Behavioral Harm'

Recent news surrounding the ever-present issue of whether anti-social behavior is connected to violent video games have surfaced again, this time in the form of an extensive BBFC report. The board accepts the fact that there is no proof to any of this, but raises more questions actually, claiming that "more research is required to conclusively rule any connection out," according to gamesindustry.biz.

The same source quotes Andrew Caldecott, representing the BBFC, as stating the following: "The board's position is that there is insufficient evidence to prove, as a fact, there is a causal connection between violent games and behavioural harm… It's a perfectly fair point, and one which we accept, but it's not by any means a complete answer to the question the [Video Appeals Committee] has to decide."

The BBFC argues that video games should be judged by the same standards as films, claiming that "Film is a different medium; it is simply is a different experience. There are ways in which it is perhaps more involving, because you are dealing with absolute reality, with real people, in film."

However, Caldecott also admits that "On the other hand, many people watch horror films to some extent from the point of view of the victim, or the point of view of what's going to happen - not with this very distinctive point of view of being the person who's wielding the weapon, and is rewarded for killing in the bloodiest way possible." Not to mention that the Wii version of Manhunt 2 actually has gamers performing the very moves needed to render someone unconscious, or lifeless. Mostly lifeless actually... I don't remember anyone surviving an encounter with Daniel Lamb.

But to be honest with you, I don't see how the BBFC could claim there was not enough evidence to link violent video games to anti social behavior, since they've drawn the following conclusion? Speaking of Manhunt 2 specifically, Caldecott commented that "in this particular game, the victims are people. They are not aliens or griffins or Daleks… You see lots of human beings quite mercilessly kicking and punching other human beings as you move through the game." More than that, referring to the weapons scattered throughout the game's dark setting, the BBFC's representative added: "They're not magic wands or Excalibur; many of them are everyday objects."

Caldecott ended his speech by promising to reveal their decision in the shortest time possible, as "there is an awful lot [they] must consider." Is this violent-games-issue the king of never-ending debates or what? Oh and remember that it was the BBFC which banned Rockstar's horror title not once, but twice.