Publisher 505 Games has decided against releasing controversial survival horror title, Rule of the Rose, in the UK. After clear-headed games expert Walter Veltroni (mayor of Rome), and objective technology guru Franco Frattini (European justice and security commissioner), called the game obscene.
According to Gamesindustry.biz, a 505 Games spokemen said, "following discussions with our retail and publishing partners, 505 Games has taken the decision not to publish Rule of Rose in the UK at this time". The mention of retail partners makes me suspect that our moral guardians - i.e. the big highstreet retailers - were planning not to stock the game; a decision that would no doubt have been announced in a self-righteous series of publicity-baiting press releases filled with sickening 'we're a family company' platitudes.
Who cares that Rule of the Rose was given a 16+ rating by PEGI, effectively putting it beyond the reach of the children these politicians and retailers are so desparate to protect? 'Ah but children will find a way to get the game if they want it' point out finger-wagging conservative pundits. Yes, in the same way that children get hold of 18 certificate films and alcohol - shall we take these down from shop shelves, too? Ah, but what use is it to rationalise? Once more the industry has become a sitting duck to moral imperialists who imagine that we still exist in a pre-technological utopia.
It's not even a very good game.
