Next banned game "could be BioShock 2" Consultant Scheurer adds that over turning a BBFC ban could put independent developers out of business

James Lee Thursday 31st July 2008 Share this article Share

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Vincent Scheurer has issued a warning over the possible future of a BBFC rated games industry, at the Develop conference in Brighton.

Scheurer, founder of the business consultancy Sarassin, said that the costs RockStar incurred in overturning the BBFC's ban on Manhunt 2 would have put an independent developer out of business, and further warned that due to the vague reasons given for the ban any game could be next.

"The costs of the Manhunt 2 ban to RockStar were massive - an independent developer would be out of business," he explained.

"It makes the business of making games that much harder."

During his talk, he explained the stated reasons behind the Manhunt 2 ban, including the level of realism, the lack of a puzzle element and the lack of humour.

"Call of Duty and BioShock could be banned under that criteria… The next game to be banned could be BioShock 2, and then where would we be?" he said.

He went on to criticise the games media, publishers and developers for failing to defend the medium properly, specifically signalling out ELSPA for its support of the Manhunt 2 ban.

"While we fail to fight back we will continue to be blamed for all of societies ills… In my view Tiga was the only association to step up… Tiga realised, where the other's didn't, that this was about more than Manhunt 2," he added.