Posted Jun 19, 2007 at 01:35PM by Karl B. Listed in: News, Games, Manhunt 2 Tags: ESRB, Jack Thompson, PS2, UK, British Board of Film Classification, CCFC
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Manhunt 2 - Image 1


Controversial video game developer Rockstar Games has released an official response to earlier news of Manhunt 2 (PS2, PSP, Wii) being rejected for a rating in the UK by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). This has resulted in the game being effectively banned in the UK. Here's Rockstar's official statement:

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 is an entertainment experience for fans of psychological thrillers and horror. The subject matter of this game is in line with other mainstream entertainment choices for adult consumers. We respect those who have different opinions about the horror genre and video games as a whole, but we hope they will also consider the opinions of the adult gamers for whom this product is intended.


We believe all products should be rated to allow the public to make informed choices about the media and art they wish to consume. The stories in modern video games are as diverse as the stories in books, film and television. The adult consumers who would play this game fully understand that it is fictional interactive entertainment and nothing more.


Manhunt 2 is also under fire in the U.S. Various groups including outspoken anti-violent video games crusader Jack Thompson and the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC) have launched campaigns to prevent Manhunt 2 from being sold. The latter has also launched a letter-writing campaign urging parents to express their concerns about the game to the ESRB.


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24 Comments


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   by :( (Unregistered) - 2007-06-19
 » :.(

WE WANT MANHUNT 2!!

   by lol europe (Unregistered) - 2007-06-19
 » We play what we want...

...IN AMERICA


   Re: d@rk51d3 (Unregistered) - 2007-06-19
 » we play what we want...

with 1$0$

   Re: Ash (Unregistered) - 2007-06-19
 » In America

Good luck finding this AO Rated game then! :)
   by infinitysend - 2007-06-19
 » remember?

The difference between an M game and an AO game?

give up?



(it's a nipple)
even though I don't know whether Manhunt 2 has nipples, I severely doubt it deserves an AO rating.


   Re: Kamasama (Unregistered) - 2007-06-19
 » Not the point

This is not a case of M vs. AO. First of all, those are ESRB ratings. Secondly, The BBFC won't even attempt to rate it, in effect making the game unsellable in the UK.

   Re: Ollie (Unregistered) - 2007-06-20
 » did you even read the other post about this??

they didn't not attempt to rate it, they had people play through it from start to finish with all the cheats and everything and decided it was unsuitable. that said i still think we need an R rating here in Aus so no games have to be banned...

   Re: Barakku (Unregistered) - 2007-06-20
 » Not really, Infinity

God of war 1+2 had nipples--several of them, not just one. M rated, bud.
   by Advertising -
   by Flare576 - 2007-06-19
 » Parents to Write Letters???

"Dear ESRB

Please come to my house and watch my child to be sure he/she doesn't play this naughty game. I'm too busy having an affair with the mail man, and my husband is too busy drinking and going to strip clubs to make sure he/she doesn't buy Rockstar's horribly bad game from a retailer who doesn't check ID. Don't blame me; I just popped the kid out of my uterus! I can't be held responsible for actually raising him/her!"

   by Highsight - 2007-06-19
 » This is insain.

I think it is crazy that we live in a society where we create for these kinds of things only to ignore them. The ESRB was established for a reason, to keep violent video games away from those who can't handle them. Yet here we are, banning a wonderful video game with an awesome plot simply because it is too violent to some people. I think the BBFC should re-evaluate their decision, this is a ridiculous. I hope this is not banned in America. >_>

   by Ecko (Unregistered) - 2007-06-19
 » Screw BBFC...

Time to put the lil kiddies to bed and put out this damn game.. If retailers selling this to lil kids, then thas their prob. But us adult should be able to play this as the developers intended it to be.. damn.. lil kids sneaking into movies like Hostel n what have you.. but a lil 3D pixelated game gonna have the parents all worked up... get outta here...

   by El3M3nT (Unregistered) - 2007-06-19
 » Screw this *****!

***** Jack Thompson He is a *****ing peice *****. He should mind his own business. I am 17 yo and I wanna play this game as-is not a bull***** Kiddy version.


   Re: Highsight - 2007-06-19
 » Whoa

Calm down buddy. Yes, I hate Jack Thompson too, but for once (and I can't believe I am saying this) this has NOTHING to do with Jack Thompson. Jack Thompson currently has a deal going on with Take Two not allowing him to interfere with their games. This is all strictly the BBFC's doing. ;)

   Re: SooksVI (Unregistered) - 2007-06-19
 » Doesnt matter

It doesnt matter if Jack Thompson is involved or not........Jack Thompson can suck my ballz. XD
   by gavin (Unregistered) - 2007-06-19
 » *sigh*

its sad when entertaining video games get banned because people are afraid that the younger generation will grow up to be murderers.
that doesnt even make sense.
1. the parent must first buy the kid the ps2/wii/psp in order for them to play the game, so if they think that their kid will play those games, take the console away
2. if the kid stole the ps2/wii/psp play this game, then i would already assume that the kid was messed up and is not the video games fault.
3. if the kid is going to his friend shouse to play the game, that is the parents fault for not being responsible enough to keep tabs on where their child is.

the way i see it, rockstar would have to set up a shop on the side of the street and let kids play the game on one of their ps2/wii/psp's for free.
then it would be rockstar's, but only then would it be their fault.


   Re: SooksVI (Unregistered) - 2007-06-19
 » True

I dont see how video games can make kids turn out to be homicidal maniacs, The first time I ever played Grand Theft Auto was when the first one came out and I was six years old and I've been playin itg ever since, but still people dont see me on the streets running after people with a knife in my hand like a madman.

   Re: DJ (Unregistered) - 2007-06-19
 » i...

totally agree man.

   Re: Advertising -


   Re: rawr (Unregistered) - 2007-06-20
 » skies

The problem is, you could have millions of people playing the game and not get homocidal, but the moment ONE idiot is influenced and does something irrational, then definitely gaming's gonna get blamed. It's not solely the game's fault, but probably the collective sources of violence the kid has. Those bastards lobbying that games are what makes people do ***** are just naive fools looking for a scapegoat.
   by TorrentMan (Unregistered) - 2007-06-19
 » There is A way

Torrent my Brothers


   Re: mobileguru (Unregistered) - 2007-06-20
 » Hmmph

But if the game doesnt get released how are they gonna rip and seed it?
   by MadSkillz (Unregistered) - 2007-06-19
 » ouch

"outspoken anti-violent video games crusader Jack Thompson"

LOL that is so my new msn personal message


   by AndyC (Unregistered) - 2007-06-20
 » Snuff.

If such a game is to be given a classification and put on shelves, it cannot be done in a regular game store. This is the kind of stuff that should be kept with the likes of Troma movies.

Its pretty much snuff gaming and should be sold as such.

   by mobilegru (Unregistered) - 2007-06-20
 » ......

If this guy isnt a retard then I've never met one: (Jack Thompson) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS1xhnXDpe0&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fpspupdates%2Eqj%2Enet%2Ftags%2Fjack%2Dthompson%2F2387

   by Barakku (Unregistered) - 2007-06-20
 » This game defies rating?

But I"m reasonably sure the UK has Saw. To my mind, Saw's a bit more screwed up, but they're both intended for adults, and there should be a rating for them...you can't just say it isn't appropriate for 15+ (I think that's the roof, but sorry if I'm wrong) and therefor it can't be sold to anyone, even 50 year olds.



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