Canada demands game legislation

Manhunt sparks legislation

ESRB ratings, the voluntary self-regulated classification system used on videogames, were previously accepted as sufficiently authoritative in Canada, reports 1up.com - until the arrival of Take 2's controversy-bating Manhunt that is. So graphic were the contents of the title deemed, that the Ontario Film Review Board intervened and slapped and eighteen certificate on a game for the first time.

This means that shops are legally obligated not to sell the title to those under the age of eighteen in Canada, exactly the same as the BBFC's ratings in the UK currently. The move by the board has to led to calls for 'proper' legislation covering videogames, and legislators are already making plans apparently.

"We control the violence that children see in movie theatres but we allow them access to extremely violent interactive video games without any restriction," commented Joan Massey of the New Democratic Party. "It's time we brought our legislative standards in line with entertainment technology."

More on Canada's new videogame regulatory laws (or not) as we get it.

By Luke Guttridge