14 DAY TRIAL // The British Prime Minister has spoken about his intentions to stop video game developers to create characters who use knives as weapons, following public concern regarding the increasing crime rates in the UK, especially knife crime. Gordon Brown has already voiced his concerns regarding the violence in video games, but he ruled out any plans for censorship stating that he would prefer to ban the access teenagers have to violent video games. However, it seems that the knife crime is a different thing in Brown's opinion.
In an interview with tabloid newspaper The Sun, the Prime Minister said: "I am very worried about video and computer games. No one wants censorship or an interfering State. But the industry has some responsibility to society and needs to exercise that."
He later stated that he encourages a "zero tolerance" approach towards teenagers carrying knives, after he was shocked to find out that last year 9,000 knife-wielding thugs got off with cautions. Also, his comments were made after a series of fatal stabbings during Christmas and New Year. However, no details are given on how the government is planning to interfere regarding the game content.
Still, Gordon Brown seems to know that video games, if they are indeed responsible for the real life violence and in this case, knife crimes, are seriously backed up by shops selling teenagers knifes. That is the reason teens will be used as undercover test purchasers.
It remains to be seen if this action will succeed and, most important to us, what will be the reaction of game developers. Rockstar Games, with their GTA and Manhunt franchises are a good example of a company fighting for in-game freedom of... violence, that is no stranger to law suits and other beefs with politicians. Guess we'll all see when time comes.