XBOX-HQ.COM - Senators Target ESRB

In the wake of Manhunt 2's release, four US senators, including Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), are calling for a review of the Entertainment Software Rating Board.

The honeymoon between Lieberman, Clinton and the ESRB appears to be over as the two senators along with Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) and Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) have signed a letter proposing a "thorough review" of the game industry's rating system.

In December 2006, Clinton and Lieberman both praised the ESRB, with Lieberman saying at the time, "I have long said that the ESRB ratings are the most comprehensive in the media industry."

The four politicians now question the ESRB's process, proposing a review stemming from the ESRB's re-rating of Manhunt 2 from "adults only" to "mature," after developer Rockstar toned down the violence in the game.

The senators implied that the game is still too violent for even an "M" rating, citing how the British Board of Film Classification took stricter measures than the ESRB, refusing to rate the videogame in June even after the revisions, barring its release in the UK.

“In sum, we ask your consideration of whether it is time to review the robustness, reliability and repeatability of your ratings process, particularly for this genre of ‘ultra-violent’ videogames and advances in game controllers,” stated the letter, according to Video Business.

Manhunt 2 released in October for PS2, PSP and Wii. The senators took particular issue with the Wii version, which has players performing moves with the motion controls that represent violent acts on screen.

We expect the ESRB to send along a statement soon.

News-Source: Next-Gen