[QUOTE="AlwaysSoft"]This is beginning to bring up a whole nother issue.
When rating a game's content, how can you rate something the player can choose not to go through with? Just because he has the option to kill and see gory visuals, or have sex and witness nudity, doesn't necessarily mean that he will. In that sense, it's almost like trying to slap a rating on reality.
I mean really, what if the government came to the conclusion that the television is rated X and may only be viewed by individuals over the age of 18, just because it's possible someone might change to a channel containing nudity or gore? They do not, because it is our option not to view such material. As is seemingly the case with video games as they continue to evolve. Particularly Bioware games.
cametall
But the fact you can easily decide to view that content or make those decisions to seeing the mature content should make it M or T. It isn't what a single person will do, you have to base the rating off what that user CAN do within the game.
I can play Oblivion and not kill a single thing, just wander around doing non-violent quests or actions. Because I can easily whip my sword out and bash a human to death with it causes it to get that higher maturity rating.
Now I don't see why people are flipping out because it got "M" due to partial nudity. I wouldn't want my kids playing a game with some half naked characters dancing around on a stage or wandering around with their left butt-cheek hanging out. If you really want to see a boob I'm sure you'd have no trouble finding them on the 'net.
As for the cultural differences Europe freaks out when you blow a cartoon character's head up, thinking you'll go out and shoot your neighbor. Well then won't sex scenes cause you to go out and rape someone or pick up a hooker in Europe? No. The US allows ultra violence because they know you won't run out and shoot someone after playing GTA or Halo. But they are strict on nudity. I myself don't care if there is nudity in a game but parents might care if they see their children watching whoopee in a video game.
Again, why are we crying it is rated "M" ? Its not like it got AO.
I agree with a lot of your sentiment but I wouldn't agree that the US "allows ultra violence because they know you won't run and shoot someone". There are plenty of people who don't want their kids playing those sorts of games because they are afraid they will go out and try to re-enact the game. But sex is more taboo in this country than it is in Europe, and sex is an easier rallying point for those who are trying to make a point (or an easy buck). Just look at the huge over-reaction to the Janet Jackson thing at the Super Bowl a few years ago. Politicians can demonize sex and get votes (while all the while going to see their mistress before going home to see the wife and kids) because so much of our population can't handle the fact that people even have sex. It's fine that this game is getting an M rating. It should, so parents can be knowledgable about what their kids could come across, and so people who don't wish to experience this kind of entertainment can choose not to do so.. It will likely deal with more adult situations than just sex, anyway. But I'm glad that there are developers who choose to push the genre forward so that they can continue to try and establish gaming as an art form and more than just a hobby. 
Log in to comment