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BBFC: Metal Gear Solid 4 has "Implied Child Rape"

April 23, 2008 in News comments 14

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) have given Metal Gear Solid 4 a rating of 15+
Although the reasoning for the rating might surprise some people... Naturally, the game has been given such a rating due to the violence and strong language. But it has also been tagged for having references to child rape!

Here's the catch though: Kojima Productions' Ryan Payton said that 'there is no mention of rape in the game'.
In fact, Payton said that there is only one scene in MGS4 that mentions "child trauma" (but was not indicative of rape at all)..

Let's hope the media doesn't catch wind of this apparent "child rape" being referenced in the game.

METAL GEAR SOLID 4 is a third person tactical/stealth game. The player takes on the role of an aging soldier, Snake who can be armed with knives, guns and grenades. The game has been classified '15' for strong violence.

During battles enemy soldiers die with small puffs of blood. The weaponry includes petrol bombs, however there is no detailed portrayal of injuries. During cut scenes slightly more detailed violence is portrayed, such as enemy creatures spearing friendly soldiers and one protracted fist fight.

The violence is generally undetailed. At 15 BBFC Guidelines state that 'Violence may be strong but may not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury'. It is possible for the player to progress stealthily through the game, avoiding violent confrontations where possible.

The game also features one use of strong language and references to suicide and an implied child rape.
Miss Razz via bbfc.co.uk »
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  • 1
    Donnelly Apr 23, 08
    "There is no mention of rape in the game. There is mention of child trauma, which is probably why they added 'implied.'" - Ryan Paton of Kojima Productions.



    Anyway, it's not as if the game was going to be all sunshine and lollipops.



    MGS2 had references to child trauma and it wasn't tagged with "implied child rape", was it?
  • 0
    Tock Apr 23, 08
    it's probably a character retelling their traumatic childhood...you know how they can sometimes go off on wild tangents while talking on the codec...
  • 0
    X_MANBEARPIG_X Apr 23, 08
    Or maybe Sunny talks about who was looking after her
  • 0
    redneonfish Apr 23, 08
    It's a 15, that's the important bit imo. All MGSs have been, this is just a wierd added reason.
  • 1
    jmac353 Apr 23, 08
    THIS IS GOING TO BE THE BEST GAME EVER!
    • -1
      Slumpy monkey Apr 23, 08
      Even if that was a joke... Thats just wrong on all levels.
      • 0
        jmac353 Apr 23, 08
        You're stupid. You're just perpetuating people making a big deal out of this which is entirely the wrong idea.

        Clearly MGS4 isn't going to advocate child rape if there truly is any reference to it in the game. It's going to lament it.
        • -1
          Slumpy monkey Apr 24, 08
          Did you read my post?? I said EVEN IF IT WAS A JOKE

          You idiot.
  • -2
    Xtrordinary Apr 23, 08
    Hurray =D. Now I don't haft to feel all weird and icky when importing shota-con illegally from Japan!

    Thank you MGS4 =D *Idyllic white smile*
  • -1
    chautemoc Apr 24, 08
    quote
    Let's hope the media doesn't catch wind of this apparent "child rape" being referenced in the game.
    Dont take this personally but, I think you just did.
    • 0
      Miss Razz Apr 24, 08
      Just look at all the alternate sources of this article. Game sites (and some non-game sites) have already heard the news about MGS4's apparent "implied child rape" and it's already spread all over the web (despite only being a day old).
  • 1
    MentallyUnstable Apr 24, 08
    *rolls eyes* Child trauma could mean anything from falling off a bike to walking in on your parents having sex. Anyway, even if there was reference to child rape, my eight year old neice could tune into just about any CSI episode and hear a detailed scientific explanation of it(trust me, I have the first six seasons memorized...lameness on my part, but whatever)that would be ten times worse. Yet, I can still hear the over-protective parents screaming if they hear about this....*shakes head*
  • 1
    Euphoric Apr 24, 08
    This is of course just some stupid menial referance to something completely stupid and unrelated to rape being blown massively out of proportion. Typical rumour mongering.

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