Rating and Censorship/Rating of Games/Manhunt 2

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Manhunt 2

Wikipedia page

Date(s) of Release: 29th October 2007 (USA), not released elsewhere

Platform(s): Wii, Playstation 2, Playstation Portable

Genre(s): Action, Survival horror, Psych. Horror

Ratings

Game Ratings and Censorship

Game Ratings List | All games with rating information

Manhunt 2 by Rockstar has not been released yet, but has been refused classification or banned in 2 regions, and had an M rating from the ESRB. Apart from ESRB regions, the game has been suspended from further classification/release by Take-two.

1 Game Content
2 Game Controversy
3 Timeline
4 Previous Ratings and content
5 Current Ratings and content
6 News pages and sources
7 External Links

[edit] Game Content

A action / stealth horror game, while the game has not been released, in press releases is told to be similar to the original Manhunt, with executions, stealth, and exploration in the game.

[edit] Game Controversy

The game has been banned in the UK, and in Ireland, by the BBFC and IFCO respectively. The game has been suspended for release in Europe meaning there is no PEGI rating yet.

The BBFC states that in its current state, the game is unsuitable to play, saying "Manhunt 2 is distinguishable from recent high-end video games by its unremitting bleakness and callousness of tone in an overall game context which constantly encourages visceral killing with exceptionally little alleviation or distancing. There is sustained and cumulative casual sadism in the way in which these killings are committed, and encouraged, in the game."

Take-two appeals the BBFC ban with the VAC, taking the argument that the violence was not as bad as believed with evidence to support it, especially since it was aimed at adults. This was argument was accepted and the VAC appeal was won by Take-two. The BBFC then put the re-rating on hold while it filed for Judicial Review in the high court regarding the VAC ruling.

The IFCO in Ireland prohibited the sale of the game, stating this was done under "Sec 7 (1) (b) of the Video Recordings Act 1989 which refers to 'acts of gross violence or cruelty (including mutilation and torture)'"

The game was initially effectively banned in Canada and the USA, with an AO rating by the ESRB. This is due to Sony and Nintendo (also Microsoft, although it was not to be published on a Microsoft console) not allowing any ESRB AO rated games on their platforms. It also would have been hampered in a PC release, due to many stores not stocking AO rated games (for more information on the AO classification, see the ESRB page).

The game was then re-rated by the ESRB as M once blur was placed on the offending scenes, allowing for release by Take-two on 29th of October 2007 (to co-inside with Halloween).

The previous game, Manhunt was not banned in the UK or Ireland, and was rated M by the ESRB.

[edit] Timeline

June 2007 - During certification, banned in the UK, Ireland, rated AO by the ESRB.
June 21, 2007 - Sony, Nintendo Block Manhunt 2 Release due to "No AO rated games" policy. (Note: Microsoft also has a policy not to allow AO rated games, although the game is not scheduled for release on Xbox 360).
June 22, 2007 - Take-Two holds Manhunt 2 release.
July 9, 2007 - Take 2 Vows Manhunt 2 will be published
July 17, 2007 - Rockstar makes a statement in reply to an opinion piece, defending the game.
August 1, 2007 - Rockstar appeals the BBFC ban with the VAC.
August 21, 2007 - ESRB rerates and puts Manhunt 2 under the M certificate.
October 8, 2007 - BBFC rejects altered version of the game.
November 1, 2007 - PSP version of the game has AO content included which can be accessed by a user-made hack.
December 10, 2007 - Rockstar wins the VAC overview, allowing the game to be sold under the 18 rating in the UK.
December 17, 2007 - BBFC applied for Judicial Review concerning the VAC ruling.

[edit] Previous Ratings and content

Organisation	Platform	Rating Given	Date	Notes
ESRB	Wii/Playstation 2/PSP		June 2007	Original rating, with the descriptors Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence. Gamasutra news piece.

[edit] Current Ratings and content

Organisation	Platform	Rating Given	Date	Notes
BBFC	Wii/Playstation 2/PSP	Banned	June 19, 2007	Is currently banned in the UK by the BBFC refusing classification. See the BBFC press release for additional details, noting that the BBFC say they cannot suggest cuts to make it an 18 rating. This is the second video game to be refused classification in the UK.
ESRB	Wii/Playstation 2/PSP		August 2007	Re-rated version, accepted by the ESRB under the M certificate. Gamasutra news piece.
IFCO	Wii/Playstation 2/PSP	Banned	June 18, 2007	Banned for sale in Ireland.
PEGI	Wii/Playstation 2/PSP	Unrated	N/A	No current rating, due to Take-two's suspension of release in Europe.