On Wednesday, May 27, video game streaming service Twitch published an update to its Rules of Conduct which declares “if a game’s US version is rated Adults Only by the ESRB, you should not broadcast that game on Twitch.”
Prior to this update, Twitch “made game-specific decisions about which games would and would not be available for broadcast.” The service stated that “this is unsustainable and unclear, generating only further confusion among Twitch broadcasters… Simply put, AO games are not welcome on Twitch.”
YouTube personality and Twitch streamer TotalBiscuit shared his thoughts concerning this update on Twitter:
Twitch's latest ban on AO rated game streaming is essentially a "Don't stream Hatred" rule – http://t.co/1AkeIS8C6V
— TotalBiscuit (@Totalbiscuit) May 28, 2015
This tweet refers to developer Destructive Creations’ new game Hatred, in which the player character engages in a random killing spree. Several gaming news outlets, particularly Polygon which has devoted multiple articles to condemning the game and attacking its creators, have used Hatred as the poster child for moralizing and condemning violent video games. These attacks are strikingly similar to anti-game lawyer Jack Thompson’s crusade against violent video games, particularly Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto franchise, which he described as “murder simulators.”
Follow Rob Shimshock on Twitter @Xylyntial.
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