Japanese Eroge Company Renames Rape Games to "Platinum Games"

[Joeshie]

Anyone who thinks this game should be banned are part of the problem with society. Just because it offends you isn't grounds for banning. If we banned everything that was offensive, then 99% of movies, books, and video games would be banned.

I don't like rape and would never play one of these games, but I still support freedom of expression, even if it's about something that offends me.

 

[geldonyetich]

Well... I believe individuals who fantasize about acts of depravity should probably be investigated to see if they will act out these fantasies, and perhaps these individuals should be reminded that such acts would be considered severely negative (even in Japan they are) but I do not believe individuals should be prosecuted until negative intents are made clear.

Singling out people who have these types of fantasies is discrimination and an invasion of privacy. And what constitutes an act of depravity? If I looked at porn depicting anal sex, in some states or countries, that would be an act of depravity. Sodomy is still against the law in some places, ridiculously. Would I have to be investigated by the government? That's ridiculous, not to mention logistically impossible.

This I agree with--saying "acts of depravity" clears up nothing.

I'm kinda surprised I'd need to spell it out for you.

Sure, it's ambiguous, but we're talking about societal mores here.

Raping a kid off the street? Good or bad? Come on, I think you know this one.

I would say whatever societal mores are, there's an objective human right to freedom from kidnapping and sexual assault.

Alright, so there's an example of what I'd call "acts of depravity." Using similar methods, you shouldn't have too difficult of a time figuring out what fits under that umbrella.

To again remind of the original context, I was suggesting that there's a difference between somebody who collects depraved materials and who commits acts of depravity.

Now, here's where I'm engaging in some innovative thinking: The thing to consider when it comes to something called RapeLay is that it will fall into the possession of either. One person collects it because they like to fantasize, another person collects it because it reflects a genuine desire to do this thing.

How can we tell the difference without them actually being caught committing the crime? Until they're caught, they could very well be victimizing kids in the neighborhood for years. I wish I was exaggerating.

What I'm suggesting, actually investigating the kind of people who find this media interesting to see how far over the edge they are, is a whole lot lesser of an evil than a matter of privacy.

 

[tunnel b1]

what kind of sick weirdos could make a game like that.Seriously though, they should really be thrown into prison for a while or at least be made attend some counselling or something because they are seriously screwed up

 

[geldonyetich]

You said: "The law agrees with me and so you apparently have no idea what you're talking about."

You also said: "You really think judges go around enforcing something other than the law?"

If you're only point is about "societal mores" then why do you keep talking about "the law"? Why do you think judges are incapable of going around enforcing social mores instead of the law?

You're taking me out of context.

In the first case, it was because I was presented with the argument: "laws exist to protect people, and therefore (because no law exists to protect against this kind of thing) it must be okay." I was saying, fine, if that's all you want to argue, no problem: there's people being convicted for doing this, and so I guess I win.

In the second case, I said judge because a judge does the convicting, but then you pointed out that the judge didn't have to make a decision because the defendant actually plead guilty to avoid the jury's scorn. I followed it up with a message saying that this proved the original point I was trying to make: this manga collector was operating in stark opposition to a jury of his peers.

The reason why I keep bringing up the law in the same breath as I do social mores is a situation where it seems you're once again asking me to point out something I find obvious to you: the law reflects the will of the people. At least, in this country, where laws are passed through democratic process, it is.

 

[The_Echo]

Define classic? Aside from normal packages, they have different packages with red banners on them saying "Greatest Hits." However, Microsoft labels such games with "Platinum Hits."

<spoiler=Playstation Platinum> http://www.beefjack.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/mgs4platinum.jpg
You don't get it in the US which is why Xbox can call itself Platinum (over here it's Xbox classics). If a game sells 400'000 units within a year of release in the PAL region it gets put on the Platinum range which go for half price. As far as I know only the PAL regions get Platinum.

PS1 and 2 cases are silver not yellow, it's been around since the PS1's early days.

Ah, I wasn't aware it was different based on region.

 

[Amnestic]

What I'm suggesting, actually investigating the kind of people who find this media interesting to see how far over the edge they are

Hah. Sure. Good luck with that. Meanwhile we'll be over here in reality but sure, entertain your little Thought Police fantasy. Maybe eventually they'll make a game for that too and we can test how "far over the edge" you are.

My guess is 'very'.

/yes, that was an Ad Hominem. Well observed.
//Luckily any real points you might have had are irrelevant because games=/=reality and never will.
///Prove the link between rape games and rapists.
////Oh wait you can't.
///Slashes.
//Many.
/Slashies.

 

[Krakyn]

Actually, I looked up information on that case, and he wasn't charged with possession of child pornography, because it's not considered child pornography!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_status_of_cartoon_pornography_depicting_minors#Further_developments

Turns out he only got obscenity charges. Thus, your point is moot - animated minors are not considered child pornography by law!

An obscenity charge is still a charge, and he earned it from not being magically obscene, but rather from owning depictions of child pornography.

In response to me saying, "this is not child pornography, look at this law that says it's not," you say "this is child pornography." I think something is wrong with you.

 

[geldonyetich]

What I'm suggesting, actually investigating the kind of people who find this media interesting to see how far over the edge they are

Hah. Sure. Good luck with that. Meanwhile we'll be over here in reality but sure, entertain your little Thought Police fantasy. Maybe eventually they'll make a game for that too and we can test how "far over the edge" you are.

My guess is 'very'.

/yes, that was an Ad Hominem. Well observed.
//Luckily any real points you might have had are irrelevant because games=/=reality and never will.
///Prove the link between rape games and rapists.
////Oh wait you can't.
///Slashes.
//Many.
/Slashies.

It's true.

Just like any other media, we can't prove there's link between rape games and rapists. For that matter, just like any other media, we can't prove that there's not a link between rape games and rapists.

I've seen many, many cases of the experiments which try to find links between media and imitations of acts within that media. There have been confirming results. There have been conflicting results.

What I'm suggesting is actually much simpler: that a person who is interested in a subject matter will likely seek out entertainment related to that subject matter. A person who likes violence will have a preference to play violent video games if they play video games. And this is actually pretty self-evident: people simply like the kinds of things they like.

This being the case, will a rapist be more likely to seek out a game about raping than a person who is not a rapist? Other than to avoid incriminating themselves, I see no reason why not.

 

[systhicsfg]

They're games people, come on. Manhunt had you murder people as violently and efficiently as possible. If that's allowed in a game, anything should be allowed in a game if the people want it. We, as the developed world, believe censorship is bad, remember? Just because you don't like something doesn't mean it should be banned.

What if I was in charge and banned something like...bacon? Or Christianity? They're two things that majority of people in the U.S. want, but I can argue that both of them have a bad affect on people.

In summary: do to others as you would have done unto you. Don't censor lest ye be censored.

Call me a weak-stomached fool who wants to shut down games because I don't personally like them, but if I were in charge, those 'rape games' would be banned, all of them, and I'd put out a notice saying, 'If you attempt to replicate said rape simulators, there will be severe consequences and/or lawsuits against your companies.'

Creating a rape simulator is never justified no matter what you try and call it.

Calling one of those games a rape simulator is just as accurate as calling CoD:4 a murder simulator. Welcome to the forums, Jack Thompson.

P.S.- I've played RapeLay, and I still know nothing about raping women.

No, you would call CoD:4 a war simulator, and Manhunt a murder simulator of sorts. Rapelay sound like it most definitely a rape simulator.

 

[Handofpwn]

It's not gonna work. Whoever's responsible for these criminal games -will- be prosecuted for it.

there isnt anything criminal about the games. in japan, where these games are made, this is legal. and to be honest, i have played rapelay and I have not gone out and raped anyone after playing it.

 

[geldonyetich]

An obscenity charge is still a charge, and he earned it from not being magically obscene, but rather from owning depictions of child pornography.

In response to me saying, "this is not child pornography, look at this law that says it's not," you say "this is child pornography." I think something is wrong with you.

Your complete failure to understand what I'm writing, then following it up with an accusation there's something wrong with me because of what you failed to read, is the reason I shy away from debating on forums.

But then, I shouldn't be surprised seeing this come from the guy who's just so very insistent than RapeLay isn't, in any way, applicable to the label of "rape simulator" just because you find the scenarios within to be infeasible.

You're still quite young.

There's a difference between a law existing to protect against something, and people getting convicted under that law for something else.
[...]
Yeah, but it does nothing to prove your point about how judges can't enforce things that aren't the law--that are, say, social mores.
[...]
There's a difference between the law and how it gets applied day-to-day.

The human mind is a wonderfully creative organ. If you're only seeking differences, you will always find them.

It's not so much you're making points here, so much as trying very hard not to see mine.

 

[Panda Mania]

Ah this is quite fascinating. Of course my first reaction is repulsion, but as lots have pointed out-I couldn't condemn this without being a complete hypocrite. So why is this so disgusting/disturbing, while we don't bat an eye at (for the most part), and indeed, enjoy the widespread murder in countless games? Perhaps we (Westerners? humans?) like our sex and violence separate, while the fatal combination of the two, for some reason, upsets us.

This has "psychological study" written all over it.

 

[geldonyetich]

[Whoops, double post - must have hit quote when I meant to hit edit]

 

[geldonyetich]

There's a difference between a law existing to protect against something, and people getting convicted under that law for something else.
[...]
Yeah, but it does nothing to prove your point about how judges can't enforce things that aren't the law--that are, say, social mores.
[...]
There's a difference between the law and how it gets applied day-to-day.

The human mind is a wonderfully creative organ. If you're only seeking differences, you will always find them.

Don't worry, I'm not.

It's not so much you're making points here, so much as trying very hard not to see mine.

Why do you say that?

If you're convinced you're not seeking differences after so painstakingly doing so, you're unable to perceive any answers I provide.

 

[Amnestic]

For that matter, just like any other media, we can't prove that there's not a link between rape games and rapists.

Isn't "Innocent until proven guilty" a rather important part of the US justice system?

 

[Kuchinawa212]

urgh changing the name doesn't change the fact it's a rape game. I'd be outraged to see a game covered up this way.

Needless to say I won't buy it, no matter the name

 

[geldonyetich]

For that matter, just like any other media, we can't prove that there's not a link between rape games and rapists.

Isn't "Innocent until proven guilty" a rather important part of the US justice system?

I'm not sure there is an innocent side in this case.

That said, apples and oranges. "Innocent until proven guilty" has no bearing on the psychological appeal of a media for people who prefer that kind of media or whether or not media influences those kinds of thoughts.