A Free America Against Censorship of Manhunt 2

This petition submitted on June 21, 2007 is hereby presented to Nintendo of America, Sony Computer Entertainment, Microsoft Corporation, Take-Two Interactive Software, Rockstar Games, future console developers, and other software developers. We hereby petition the above organizations to reevaluate the current policy towards software titles rated by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) to be AO (Adults Only), specifically the decision in lacking endorsement to said titles in being released. The American public has the ability to decide for themselves what software they wish to buy and would like to be given the chance to do so freely in the marketplace.

Whereas ongoing study into videogames and their effects on youth is warranted the cases made by various organizations to effectively strangle the industry from the benefits afforded other medium formats is disturbing considering the demographic markets of said modern game systems are not focused merely in a youth bracket. Sega's Pico system and LeapFrog's LeapPad are strictly youth-oriented systems, while the Sony PS2/PS3, Nintendo Wii, and Microsoft Xbox 360 are not.

Whereas Americans deserve discourse on this subject in the public arena outside of message boards, blogs, academic peer-reviewed journals, and electoral venues, a debate on this issue between the major players covered live on television is far overdue and would allow more forward motion in the freedom of choice in the marketplace.

Whereas educated and continued discussion on the part of the American society may be a democratic and healthy example for foreign countries facing the same debilitating condition of censorship.

Whereas the ESRB in its wisdom rated Manhunt 2 AO, discussion into the discrepancies between not only the various ratings systems of media, but also the mismatch M rating of Manhunt-similar titles within software is necessary.

Whereas public outcry against adult-rated material will continually exist, console and software companies must decide whether to accept the reality of videogames as a form of artistic expression or back down and allow library content to be dictated in part by outside influences.

Whereas each console-maker and developer has a responsibility to protect children from software content deemed unsuitable through ratings, continual assistance from retailers in adhering to proper sales procedure, and from parents and other adults adhering to rating suggestions will allow fair artistic expression and safer software consumption by all parties.

Whereas the exclusion of Manhunt 2 from the console market due to its rating is a violation of Free Speech of the developer and interferes with the rights of the American People to its consumption, we the undersigned support Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive Software in their fight against censorship and request console makers Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft to support artistic expression through active discussion and allowing software titles designated as AO to be supported by their consoles so they find shelf space in the marketplace.