Source: Fortune

EA. The corporation so many of us love to hate, has actually done something kinda good. EA is taking on those that would seek to censor video games. Yeah, Hilary, Mr. Thompson, I’m looking at you. John Riccitiello, the CEO of EA, recently spoke on behalf of the gaming industry, saying: “Our industry is exceptionally well-controlled. Every game gets rated… The desire by the media to censor games amazes me.” He went on to name a few TV shows and films that have violence, but little media outcry, pointing out an obvious double standard.

Well cover me in feathers and call me a chicken, “the sky is falling!…the sky is falling!” I actually agree with Riccitiello!

Read the rest, after the jump!

With elections on the way and growing pressure to impose tighter control over video game ratings, it’s about time one of the big boys stood up and cried foul. Rockstar stands alone no longer. To be fair though, how the hell can Rockstar even attempt to defend a game called Manhunt? But I digress…

For once the ‘Darth Vader’ of video game publishers has done something worthy of praise. To date, the battle between developers and the censor-crazed media has been a piece-meal affair. It’s about time this multi-billion dollar industry took a stand. The fact that EA was the first big player to do so is nothing less than mind blowing. Having dodged the legal battles plaguing Rockstar and others so far, Mr Riccitiello seems have taken the initiative to strike out before the evil censorship media goons turn his way.

Honestly, has the whole world decided that personal accountability is no longer important? The world’s video game publishers need to stand up and cry wolf, because left unchecked this whole ESRB power grab nonsense is really going to get out of hand, which will end up hurting the gaming industry in the long run.

Personally, I would buy a AO rated game if it was a good game. The 18 to 30 year old pool of gamers is not small, meaning that should AO rated games become more frequent, money could still be made. And despite games like Manhunt getting tons of bad press, the violence in that game doesn’t even hold a candle to a few episodes of CSI or Criminal Minds I have seen and they are on Primetime!

Either way, EA has done good. I’m proud of you Mr .Riccitiello. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I need a shower.

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