Acclaim Entertainment's newest entry into the multitude of "Mature"-rated video games, BMX XXX, is drawing needless criticism from various retailers and members of the media, which is more than a little unfair considering the game hasn't even been released yet. Critics who have neither seen nor played the game are labeling it obscene and calling for it to be banned from stores, a move that limits the control consumers have over what they can buy. But many fail to realize that BMX XXX and all other video games comply with standards set by the Electronic Software Rating Board (ESRB) which rates games, and no game can be more graphic or vulgar than an R-rated movie or album with explicit lyrics. This game's release is actually a celebration of people's rights and purchasing power as responsible consumers.
One of the elements which separates BMX XXX from other games is the addition of nudity and coarse language. Though the addition of sexuality and questionable dialogue in games is hardly groundbreaking, it is enough to ignite the occasional watchdog organization, well-meaning parent or senator running for re-election.
A similar controversy in 1993 about Mortal Kombat coupled with a game rating campaign spearheaded by Senator Joe Leiberman resulted in the formation of the ESRB. It was the government's decision that the responsibility for rating game content lie with this organization, and the BMX XXX has met the board's approval.
For retailers such as Best Buy or Wal-Mart to say they won't sell this game is hypocritical, because its content is no different from other electronic media they already sell, such as movies and CDs. There is likely nothing that will transpire in BMX XXX which has not already been seen in countless movies, nor will people hear words they've never heard before. This game in particular should not be judged differently than any other form of commercial entertainment. As Greg Fischbach, CEO of Acclaim, noted in a recent news release, "our product is being held to an entirely different standard than other media of similar content."
It also remains to be seen whether these selective retailers will carry the edited version of the game Acclaim is promising them. In either case, by not selling the unedited game they have already alienated a sizable portion of their shopping demographic.
After all, no one wants to be told what they can or can't buy with their money, especially not adults who are responsible and informed consumers. As long as legality is not an issue, the buying public should dictate what is being sold through supply and demand -- it should not be controlled by senseless regulation. Stripping consumers of their right to buy this game is the first step toward stripping them of more rights, a trend nobody wants to see.
Besides, for stores not to carry a "Mature"-rated video game is to say they don't have faith in their own government-created regulatory board, the ESRB. It sends a bad message when retail chains cave in to the demands of the easily-offended minority and fail to recognize the means of regulation already in place. As a "Mature" game, BMX XXX cannot be sold to anyone under 17. There is no need for it to be banned on top of this.
Being an "M"-rated game, BMX XXX is not being marketed toward children, which actually makes it more family-oriented, instead of less. This empowers parents to decide what is right for their children. The advertisements for BMX XXX make no attempt to hide its rating, but ads for the game are actually few and far between. Interestingly, the game has seen more attention from news agencies than from its own advertisements.
There is no question that people should have some degree of protection from media with questionable content. In this case, that protection lies in a rating board agreed to by both the government and the video game industry. For retailers to ban approved games no different in content from the movies which line their shelves is both hypocritical and irresponsible. Time will tell if "Mature" consumers prove to be an unforgiving group.
