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Walmart's Pressure for Censorship
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)
Posted by: TotalRecall
A couple of days ago, WIRED ran an article on Walmart's strong influence on game developers to remove questionable content from their games:
Wal-Mart sells 25 percent of the computer and video games purchased annually in the United States, a share worth $1.58 billion in 2001, according to the Interactive Digital Software Association and NPDFunworld, the industry's data clearinghouse.
With that kind of clout, the discount retailer can exercise considerable influence over the kinds of titles that find their way into consumers' hands, simply by determining what goes on its shelves. Since 2000, the chain has blocked sales of mature-rated titles to minors, as defined by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board. An M rating means a title is not recommended for children ages 16 and under.
However, Wal-Mart's policies go far beyond saying no to a 16-year old at the cash register, say game developers and industry analysts. The company's purchasing managers also review games before they're published to ensure every aspect of the product -- from packaging to content -- toes the line with the retailer's conservative policies.
Although I do not support this practice, the titles they offer are their decision. I do find it rather hypocritical that they do offer Grand Theft Auto 3, one of the most controversial games ever to hit the market. You can read their article here.
Posted by: TotalRecall
I'm glad Walmart is my 2nd mommy.
Posted by: PMS GURL
wal mart rocks!!!
Posted by: TotalRecall
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Posted by: PMS GURL
hey, i shop at wal mart and im not afraid to admit it.
I LOVE IT there!!!
and i get 10% off so its awesome.
Posted by: Darky!
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Posted by: Spider
Yeah, okay, you like the store...but are you saying you agree with their censorship practices?
Posted by: Null Actor
While walmart is being pretty heavy handed, I do believe that it's perfectly reasonable for games to have reduced levels of violence. If your game is a mature title that requires violence, then get used to the fact that you can only sell it to adults through other retailers.
*shrug*
Edit: To expand my argument a bit.
A game like UT2003 doesn't need the levels of violence it has. The game would be perfectly playable (and fun) without it. It serves no purpose other than violence for it's own sake.
A game like Silent Hill 2 however, uses the violence and mature themes in order to create the ambience of the game. If you didn't have the creepy zombies and such, it couldn't be the game it is.
And to prove my point, look at games like BF1942 and Medal of Honor. Both are critically acclaimed games, and tons of people have tons of fun. And there isn't one drop of blood or graphic violence to be seen.
Posted by: Ion Silverbolt
Wal Mart is horrible when it comes to PC gaming prices anyway. They were selling the AvsP2 add-on pack for 40$ when it came out. It was only 19$ through EB when it came out.
Really they aren't competitive when it comes to console games either. They're just convenient.
Posted by: Xtren
What kind of cencorship process do they have if the sell GTA3 and Vice City anyway? I don't think there are any other games out there that are more controversial. If any game can have an influence on someone it would be a GTA game... they're just bad.
I love the games, don't get me wrong, but the whole cencorship thing just doesn't make sense.
Posted by: taco_fox
 Quote:
Originally posted by Xtren
What kind of cencorship process do they have if the sell GTA3 and Vice City anyway?
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The kind where they still make money. GTA3 = big seller. Last time I went they also had Diablo II, Quake III, and Half-Life Platinum Pack, all of which are M rated games.
Posted by: 'DragonMaster
I do like Wal-mart myself. But I still hate some of their odd rules.
They sell no Teen, or Mature rated games. And yet they sell guns.
....................................Well That's my opinion.
Posted by: AK47
You have a wierd wal-mart. Everyone I've ever been in has carried Teen and Mature rated games.
Quote:
Originally posted by Null Actor
A game like UT2003 doesn't need the levels of violence it has. The game would be perfectly playable (and fun) without it. It serves no purpose other than violence for it's own sake.
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Am I the only one who doesnt even notice blood and gore in games anymore? It's become so commonplace in shooters and fighters that I had no clue that UT2003 was as violent as you say it is.
Posted by: Outlaw
Quote:
Originally posted by Null Actor
A game like UT2003 doesn't need the levels of violence it has. The game would be perfectly playable (and fun) without it. It serves no purpose other than violence for it's own sake.
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Maybe it's just me, but if I play a game and I shoot someone's head off, I want to see blood and little pieces of brain and skull flying around. Not because I'm violent, but because that's what would happen in real life too. And yeah, I know a game isn't real life, but I like my games to be as realistic as they can.
IMO, if you shoot someone to death and not find one drop of blood afterwards, that just dumb.
Posted by: Null Actor
If you want your games to be as realistic as they can be, UT is the last place to go.
Posted by: Outlaw
I don't play unreal.
Posted by: Null Actor
Really though, my point has nothing to do with what you want. No matter what game you like to play, it'll be as fun without the violence as with.
Posted by: Outlaw
I guess that would depend on your definition of fun.
I remember playing Half-Life on my LAN, one of the other guys was using the life-recharger, I came from behind and shot him in the head with a shotgun (right-click, double blast  ). The life recharger (that used to be white with a nice pic of a first aid cross on it) was now almost completely covered in blood, the original texture was almost completely gone.
That was fun. I laughed at it. I wouldn't have laughed at it if it hadn't been covered in blood.
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