Term paper

[Ack]

So guys, I've got a short term paper due at the end of the semester along with a PowerPoint presentation that I have to do for my class in about a month on the censorship of video games. I've got some good materials, both in print and on-line, but I was interested in hearing your thoughts on structure. I was planning on breaking the main course of discussion into four parts:

Censorship on the industry level
On the government level
On the retail level
And on the consumer level

I planned on using not just results from the United States but worldwide to talk about this. Unfortunately I believe I'm allowed only a maximum of 12 pages(might be 15, but filling that up shouldn't be a problem). Some of the points I want to talk about are Nintendo's regulations in the 1980s and some of their forced edits (especially Mortal Kombat), the 1990s senate hearings, bans of games in various countries(such as Rule of Rose in the European Union), the refusal of most widespread retailers to carry AO rated games in the US, and general public reactions(such as the bomb threats made to Exidy over the release of Death Race in 1976).

Also, are there any specific topics you guys think I should be mentioning?

[otaku]

you should mention sega's defiance and defense of "adult" gaming and how nintendo was using all this against their competition (sega)

[Ack]

I will mention it, though I don't want to necessarily pass blame on Nintendo for what happened. If nothing else, the fierce competition between the two partially led to the demands for an industry ratings system in America. And while the ESRB is heavily flawed, it has probably done more than its share of good by giving the industry some credibility with the nation.

[Hatta]

I'd include a clip from Night Trap in your powerpoint presentation, so people can see just how ridiculous those 1990s senate hearing were.

Is this a position paper, or just an exposition paper?

[Ack]

I believe it's supposed to be an exposition paper, but now that I think about it, it hasn't ever been clarified.

[MrPopo]

the refusal of most widespread retailers to carry AO rated games in the US

I'd mention that it's not just the retailers who won't carry it, but the big three console manufactuerers won't allow said games on their consoles.

[Ack]

I knew that was Nintendo's policy, but is that really the case for Microsoft and Sony? I thought they were ok with AO games.

[MrPopo]

Yes, it's the case for all three. It came up back when Manhunt 2 first got its AO rating, and the various news outlets were making mention of the fact that all three don't allow AO games on their system.