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Posted: Jun 21 2007 01:40 am

From www.irserious.com:

Well, it had to happen sooner or later. Because of its violent content and (ostensibly) its Wii-specific interactivity, Manhunt 2 has been banned in England. Hot on the heels of this decision, the ERSB slapped the game with an AO rating here in the States.

In a statement released to the press, Rockstar said:

Rockstar wrote:

We are disappointed with the recent decision by the British Board of Film Classification to refuse classification of Manhunt 2. While we respect the authority of the classification board and will abide by the rules, we emphatically disagree with this particular decision…Manhunt 2 was created for mature audiences and we strongly believe it should receive an M (Mature) rating…we are exploring our options with regard to the rating of Manhunt 2.

Now, I never played the first Manhunt, so can only guess what kinds of things Rockstar is doing to “improve” in the sequel. Apparently, though, the other versions for the PS2 and PSP weren’t even brought up. I guess the ESRB and BBFC think that since the Wii version is more interactive, that makes the game worse. And let’s not forget that rating the game Adults Only is pretty much the kiss of death as far as sales go. In all honesty, this game probably wouldn’t have sold that well in the first place, but now that it won’t be sold in more family-friendly stores like Wal-Mart or Target (perhaps you’ve heard of them), it won’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of any commercial success.

What really irks me is that these ratings boards are patting themselves on the back for a job well done, saying that this proves their system works splendidly. One of Joystiq’s many articles today on this whole mess make this point loud and clear:

Joystiq wrote:

ELSPA earlier declared that the ban “demonstrates that we have a games ratings system in the UK that is effective,” when it really seems to imply the opposite. Had game ratings been truly effective, the BBFC could have simply slapped the appropriate rating on the box and trusted adults and parents to judge the game’s content accordingly. In the real world, however, the sloppy enforcement of ratings and general apathy towards content descriptors have prompted the certification body to add an extra barrier of entry, underlining a clear lack of faith in the effectiveness of its own warning labels. The ratings system should be powerful and heeded enough to handle any video game, no matter how violent it may be.

Is this really where the industry is headed?

Title: Nothing Special Joined: Oct 25 2006 Posts: 396

The only thing better than stabbing a bum's eyes out with a glass shard is making like you're actually doing it with the Wiimote.

Joined: Aug 25 2005 Posts: 287

So both Nintendo and Sony have come out and said they won't allow AO games on their respective systems, effectively "banning" the game in the U.S., too. Take Two can now either go back and edit the thing, appeal the rating, or (and if they're smart, they'll probably go this route) port it to PC and let it get out that way, since that's apparently the only platform that allows you to make up your mind about what to play.

Posted: Jun 21 2007 05:17 pm

"In all honesty, this game probably wouldn’t have sold that well in the first place"

What are you smoking? Seriously...I want some.

Posted: Jun 21 2007 07:05 pm

Here a story from the brits over the whole ordeal:

VIDEO GAME maker Rockstar has hit back at the British and Irish censors who banned its Manhunt 2 video game.
The censors decided yesterday that Manhunt 2, which tells the heart rending tale of an insane asylum escapee who kills enemies in gruesome ways, had no redeeming features and banned it.

While we are not big fans of censorship, it is not as if we are talking about bunch of retired army majors and nuns inflicting their will. This is the first time in 10 years that a computer game has managed to get itself banned in the UK and the first time in Ireland.

Yet Take-Two Chairman Strauss Zelnick claimed that Manhunt 2 was "fine piece of art" bought a formerly unheard of cinematic quality to interactive entertainment.

He said that parents and consumers should be able to make their own choices once they are informed about a product. Unfortunately in the UK there is not a censorship category of "shite, nasty don't buy it" so the censors had to ban it.

Not only did Zelnick stand behind the game he said that the "Rockstar team has come up with a game that fits squarely within the horror genre and was intended to do so".

The game has received an adult's only rating in the US where violence is good but sex is bad. If the escapee dropped his pants it would have been banned we guess. Although to be fair, the "adults only" in the US is the kiss of death to a commercial game as many wholesome retailers will refuse to stock them on the grounds that the covers upset people when they go and buy their guns and ammunition.

Posted: Jun 21 2007 07:38 pm

As was reported yesterday, upcoming Wii and PS2 game Manhunt 2 was given an Adults Only rating by the game ratings board. But you likely won't be able to play the game in its current form. Both Sony and Nintendo have said they won't allow an "Adults Only" rated version of Manhunt 2 to appear on their game systems. The game was given that intial rating yesterday by the ESRB.

Citing internal prohibitions against AO rated games, the companies are firm: "It's currently our policy not to allow the playback of AO-rated content on our systems," a Sony spokesperson told GameSpot.

Nintendo said, "The ESRB provides ratings to help consumers understand the content of a game before they purchase it. As stated on Nintendo.com, Nintendo does not allow any AO-rated content on its systems."

That leaves developer Take Two with a couple choices: Either appeal the rating decision or edit the game to remove the offending content. How this will effect Manhunt 2's release date of July 10th remains to be seen.

Posted: Jun 21 2007 08:59 pm

They just release it rogue. Who cares if it doesn't carry the "Nintendo Genuine Seal Of Quality"?

I mean the seal is BS anyway.

Bad Steet Brawler had the seal on the NES, and Superman 64 had it on the N64. Don't mean crap. Besides, Take Two has the upperhand anyways.

"What Sony? You won't release Manhunt 2 on the PS3? Then, I guess you don't get GTA IV. Sorry."

Posted: Jun 21 2007 10:35 pm

I was talking to greeneyedzeke on AIM earlier, and as he pointed out, what the fuck is the point of even having an AO rating if games that get it are effectively banned?

If the gay little ESRB ratings system is to be considered legitimate, then games must be allowed to get a commercial release with any rating.

Posted: Jun 21 2007 10:55 pm

You know, if Sony or Nintendo had balls, they'd license the game.

And if Rockstar had balls, they'd tell Nintendo that if they didn't license Manhunt 2 that they'd never see another Rockstar game again, thus ensuring that they'd always play second fiddle to Microsoft. And if Rockstar balls, they'd tell Sony that if they didn't license Manhunt 2 that GTA IV would be an XBox exclusive.

And if we had balls, we'd e-mail Sony and Nintendo and tell them to stop being prissy little bitches.

Hey, wait a second...

*peeks into his footy pajamas*

By god, I DO have balls... and they're huge!

So uh yeah, let's harass the shit of these companies. Especially Nintendo. Keep it clean, keep it concise, and use proper captilization and punctuation.

Posted: Jun 21 2007 11:19 pm

ok, i wrote one. i just wanna see if you huys approve. here goes

omg nintedo liek, y wont u relees manhunt for teh wii??? its liek ,soooo funzors adn i rly want 2 by it.

Posted: Jun 21 2007 11:34 pm

"This game is rated M for 'Mature.' Only people seventeen and older can play it."

"Right. Put it on the shelves."

"This game is rated AO for 'Adults Only.' It is meant for people eighteen and older."

"Well, I won't be having any of THAT filth polluting OUR store!"

Posted: Jun 21 2007 11:39 pm

Who cares if Wal-Mart and Target won't carry AO games. There's a even bigger and more widespread way of selling them.

Neighborhood Mom & Pop Asain Markets. They are more numerous then 7-Elevens and they don't give a shit what they sell. They usually have nunchucks, bongs, and discount porn on the shelves behind the little curtains. They would be more than happy to sell AO rated games!

Posted: Jun 21 2007 11:39 pm

And Hostel Part 2 is appropriate for 14 year olds.

ESRB and BBFC, you suck.

The Grand theft auto games is tame compared to this.

Posted: Jun 22 2007 01:06 am

Syd Lexia wrote:

Hey, wait a second...

*peeks into his footy pajamas*

By god, I DO have balls... and they're huge!

So on a less creepy note:
I don't see how killing people in games can be any worse than the total bullshit we see on the news every day. At the least 99% of kids who play games know the shit is fake, unlike all the real-life media coverage about suicide bombers, high school shootings, and babies thrown in the trash! Until they come up with any sort of evidence supporting an increase in violence in kids who play games, I see no problem selling violent games in Walmart or wherever.

Posted: Jun 24 2007 02:40 am

*sigh* In the span of 72 hours or so, Rockstar's shelved the game for the time being.

Posted: Jun 24 2007 05:38 am

Most likely, the game will:

A) end up being released only on the PC
B) end up in gay form on the Wii and PS2 and get an unedited release on the PC

Posted: Jun 24 2007 12:13 pm

Was the first one good?

Posted: Jun 24 2007 03:47 pm

PhreQuencYViii wrote:

Was the first one good?

Yeah. It was pretty awesome.

Posted: Jun 24 2007 05:20 pm

PhreQuencYViii wrote:

Was the first one good?

i didnt really like it. but hey, i bought it used and some dumbshit left a ps1 memory card in it so i was happy. i just returned it without the memory card. hehehe.

Posted: Jun 25 2007 04:59 pm

In an era of online ordering, why the hell can't Rockstar independently release the uncut version from their website?

Posted: Jun 25 2007 06:04 pm

And again, the ESRB rating system is completely useless if manufacturers refuse to recognize a legitimate rating.

Posted: Jun 25 2007 06:09 pm

Syd Lexia wrote:

And again, the ESRB rating system is completely useless if manufacturers refuse to recognize a legitimate rating.

I agree, the whole point of the ESRB is to inform buyers, (parents mostly) as to the content of the game, so they know if it is appropriate to them and/or their children. It is not suppose to be a censor who decides if the game should be released or not. Every game should be released, the ESRB should give it a rating, and then the end-user should decide if they wish to buy it.

It's kinda a 1st Amendment type a thing. As games are considered an art form.

Posted: Jun 25 2007 06:56 pm

Penance wrote:

I may be misinformed, but didn't the first game actually film you murdering people and glorify it? Surely that would be considered more sadistic than your usual "guy kills killers to survive" game. Yet that was released and this will not be?

Ya, also, in the first game, you were already a bastard condemned to life in prison. So the violence was justified (in most countries 'cept Australia.)

In here, you kill guards and shit.. in violent ways. That maybe...?

Also Knyte, I'm diggin' the sig. Lovin' that 3rd Strike, amirite?

Posted: Jun 25 2007 08:27 pm

Syd Lexia wrote:

And again, the ESRB rating system is completely useless if manufacturers refuse to recognize a legitimate rating.

Seriously! Why even have an AO if everyones just going to say no?

Posted: Jun 26 2007 08:58 am

"We're writing about a game that isn't out. We're writing about a game that, in its current form, will never appear on store shelves and has been put on hold by its publisher, even though the game is done. We're writing about the first game deemed unfit for any rating by the official board that rates games in the U.K. in a decade. We're writing about a game that, in the U.S., currently has an 18-and-older Adults Only rating, a label issued by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board to just 23 porn and gambling titles, a few adventure games that have sex scenes in them, and one hyper-violent game called Thrill Kill. (The ESRB website lists more than 1,000 titles as M, which is for gamers 17 and up; more than 8,400 listings for games rated E for Everyone).

We're writing about the controversial Manhunt 2, and in keeping with Vs. Mode tradition, we're only writing about it because we played it and played it extensively. Now how'd we do that?"

See the review at http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/levelup/archive/2007/06/25/vs-mode-on-manhunt-2-round-1-fight.aspx