June 20th, 2007 The ESRB has rated Manhunt 2, coming this July for Wii and PS2 an AO rating, which is restricted to persons 18 years and older and in addition the game is not sold in major US retailers like Best Buy and Wallmart. This makes it the first console game to be rated AO, except for the temporary rating for GTA San Andreas due to the Hot Coffee incident. Below Take Two's response:

"Manhunt 2 was created for mature audiences and we strongly believe it should receive an M (Mature) rating, aligning it with similar content created in other forms of media. We are exploring our options with regard to the rating of Manhunt 2".

The AO rating is essentially a "ban" in the US, since the game is sold in limited stores and thus limits the sales potential of the game, publishers often tonne down the content when an AO rating is possible, because the lost sales is too great to ignore. However Manhunt 2 depicts intense violence, where the player kills in the most gruesome way possible, this may be difficult to tonne down and not essentially change the whole game. Interestingly though the original Manhunt, which contained a similar level of violence was rated M, it would appear that Manhunt 2 must have stepped over the line that the original game set years ago.

In related news the BBFC (UK classification board) has ruled that Manhunt 2 will be unable to be released and would be illegal to supply anywhere in the UK. “Rejecting a work is a very serious action and one which we do not take lightly. Where possible we try to consider cuts or, in the case of games, modifications which remove the material which contravenes the Board’s published Guidelines,” said BBFC director David Cooke.

On the Australian front, there has been no word from the OFLC, however given the maximum rating for computer games in Australia is MA 15+ and in light of the AO US rating and banned UK decision (where an 18+ equivalent is actually possible in the UK) it is essentially an absolute certainty that the game will be banned from release in Australia. Other countries that are strict on censorship with violence such as Germany and Japan will most likely ban the game as well.

Given the situation, the potential sales for Manhunt 2 has been severely crippled for Rockstar, the AO rating means a limited availability (and therefore sales) in the US and the game will probably not be released in major European markets. As a result of such limited sales opportunity, it would appear likely that Rockstar would have little choice but to somehow reduce the severe violence of the game in order to actually make money out of the project at all, Rockstar has stated that they are currently exploring opportunities in regards to these possibilities.


Source:Next-Gen.biz

Jack Thompson must be jumping with joy. This news still irks me to no end even though I had no prior interest in the game.

I changed your image borg as it was a tad large.

Ah yeah I thought the image might have been a bit big, thats better :thumbsup:

On a personal note, I was interested in this game, and was probably going to purchase it (pending reviews) so this now makes that a bit hard without a Freeloader or something, and even then if it remains AO it wont be easy to find.

But yeah Thompson would be happy <_<

Though I can't say the news is "suprising" really, this is Rockstar, and the violence is indeed insane. On another note it's kind of funny how the first AO console game is on a Nintendo platform, :lol:

Won't it still see a release in NZ?

Even if the NZ classification board accepeted the game, with the UK game ban I doubt Rockstar would bother with a PAL version just for little old NZ.

I wasn't really interested in the game in the first place, but now that some people who I don't even know think they can tell me what is suitable for me, I want it.

So why is it AO?

Extreme violence, I guess.

They should rename it to FriendCuddle.

That'll fool the ratings people.

:lol:

"Whats the next game we've got to classify?"

"FriendCuddle? That cant be bad, slap a G rating on it and lets go home early" :P

Is it really that bad? I hear its because the wii-mote is used to kill people (obviously) so it takes life-like violence to a new level. I mean the wiimote rumbles as you strangle a guy with a plastic bag over his head... It is kind of disturbing how this game is to be played out.

Well if the Wiimote was the reason, then the PS2 version wouldnt be banned, so thats not the case. Though I believe a certain parents group pushed for the Wii version specifically to get an AO rating recently, but this hasn't been revealed to be the basis of the decision at all. There are other violent games on Wii already, and the control scheme hasnt been taken into account in ratings, at the end of the day it's all still violence, and thats the main contributing factor.

While I wasn't really anticipating this game at all (never played the original) hearing this news still annoys me. I mean, I realise and can understand why it could be considered too violent (especially since it is interactive) but surely it can't be as bad as some stuff that you see in movies and the like? Obviously movies only have audio and visual aspects but still - some of the stuff you see in movies is massively violent. I dunno, it just sucks knowing that things that you could potentially say would be worse (in terms of content) still get sold to the general public and yet this game won't. Very unfortunate for Rockstar and any fans of the game who are wanting it purely to play it.

Or did I miss something and is everyone who wants to play this game going to go and kill people afterwards, Jack?

Might as well be selling the wii then. With Manhunt 2 never to see the light of day (unless leaked) it appears that I may as well be selling the Wii.

I'm fed up of it just being a kiddy console, every game i've purchased for it i've been unsatisfied with.

Manhunt 2 was going to be the one game I was going to be excited about, couldnt wait to play, and now i'm being told i'm not allowed to play it by complete strangers. I'm 18 years old and I believe its my own free will if I choose to play this game or not.

The first Manhunt was a masterpiece in itself, a great stealth game which later turns into a great tactical shooter with a great storyline,memorable characters and based around a very controversial theme.

Last time I checked, I hadn't killed anyone, hell!, I mind my own business, keep to myself I don't cause any trouble.

I watch horror movies as well, collect the merchandise of what are very graphic figurines depicting torture and suffering.

The key point here is... Manhunt was played by millions all around the world.. and just because of a few incidents involving kids who would have ended up killing at some point in theirs lives anyway (as to kill, the intent must be there anyway and was bound to happen sooner or later) its spoiled for all adults, adults who work 9 - 5, every day of the week as maybe doctors, policemen, firemen. Havn't they deserved the right to play a "GAME".

Having said that, movies like hostel 2 is now at the cinema (which i've seen and enjoyed). If that can be overlooked then why can't this? What a joke.

Dude, selling your Wii is a bit much, there are other games coming besides Manhunt 2, and it's not like this is a Nintendo thing, all console manufactors dont allow for AO games on their consoles.

So if Rockstar actually want Manhunt 2 released at all, it'll come out on Wii, PS2 and PSP though in a watered down version. Doesn't mean the game will be crap in its censored state, M (and hell even MA 15+ games) allow for pretty strong violent content already, the original Manhunt was rated "M" in the US, so I dont see why R* wont be able to get the violence for the sequel to the original Manhunt levels and thus the game will still be released.

Don't jump the gun mate, see how it turns out..

There is only one thing they need to take out to get the M rating...I think it's the yanking of the balls. If this game has bloody harry balls in it, that's probably the reason it's AO. It's also a crime for one to expose one's balls in real life. That is probably the reason for the AO.

Yeah if it's a matter of removing a few crude scenes then it's not that big a deal, the game itself will remain in tact.

I never really "got" the first Manhunt game, or this one for that matter. Yes, it's probably because I am in possession of a pair of ovaries, but I don't see what's entertaining about games like this. It just seems like, kill in really explicit ways and tack a 'story' onto it. I could not stomach the first game at all. Was sitting with a group of my friends watching them play it and I had to leave the room because I thought I was going to throw up.

Still, I think all the other AO games I know of are hentai games or something sexual, so the violence in this one must be like...wow.

EDIT: And dear God I just saw the Wii screenshots. Graphics-wise, this game looks TERRIBLE. Some of the texturing reminds me of American McGee's Alice for god's sakes.

Yeah, some of the screens are pretty horrible, apparently it looks better in motion, though it may take a bit longer for us to find out.

And you're right, any other AO game in the US has been because of sexual content, (all games on PC), I believe Fahrenheit (i.e. Indigo Prophecy) does not have sex scenes in it on the consoles, but the PC "uncut" version in the US contains said sex scenes. Interestingly these sex scenes are in the Australian (PAL) console version, under the MA 15+ rating, a rare sight where the Australian ratings body was not as harsh as the ESRB.

But yeah, pretty much if it has sex in it, AO. With Manhunt 2, I think there might be "sexual violence", which might have been what got the AO, though these scenes are really just rumours, not sure where they came from. Otherwise as you say, the violence must be pretty insane to earn that AO rating, if there is no sexual content.

Oh boy, just did some more research, there's a level that takes place in an S&M club, but still I don't think there's actual intercourse. Either as I guessed the violence is at a new level or there's rape or some combination. God.

If there's rape in this game I'm going to fucking lose it. Pretend to kill people all you want, but there's a fucking line.

I've heard there is some form of rape in the game, where you then kill the victim and proceed to rape her corpse! O_O !

Pretty full on, not sure if it's actually in the game, or whether it was something made up from all the hype and controversy, though if it is true, I imagine this is what will be cut out in the "M" version.

Though on the other hand, there is rape in movies, so should there be a difference? A lot of grey areas in this sort of thing, since gaming is still a young industry.

When it's in a game and you're acting it out, that makes me ill at the thought. If rape in movies has to deal with the plot and isn't just gratuitous, whatever. But when it's in a game like Manhunt, I think it's safe to assume that it's got no dramatic value or additions to the story. It's gratuitous rape, "just because". I hate to think that people would also enjoy simulating that as well - the thought of THAT really makes my skin crawl.

People have attempted to rape me twice. I was lucky enough to have gotten away completely unharmed but the memories are still horrible, especially when issues like this surface. I make jokes with my friends, I go on 4chan's /b/ board, but if you're actually simulating it in a game, it's not okay. It hurts so badly to think that there are women out there who this happens to every single day, and how they must feel. So for me, it's a touchy subject. I get uncomfortable when I see rape in movies - it hurts to watch because I inevitably end up remembering those two unfortunate incidents.

...there's my two cents :P

Yikes, I also knew an attractive girl (she was 16/17 at the time) who nearly got kidnapped which possibly would've led to rape. She wanted to become a model and had her photo published on a certain webpage on the internet, a guy who claimed to be a photographer organised to meet her but instead tried to kidnap her into a car. Luckily she got away.

Perhaps it's best we have rules implied to stop these kinds of games that simulates disturbed individuals from being classified as 'fun' or 'exciting' to them.

I don't really care if Manhunt 2 gets banned or not but clearly Rockstar have to re-arrange themselves before they seek any further in the violent genres.

I'm sorry to hear about those horrible experiences Angra, thankfully you were able to escape safely :)

I hear you, I can't imagine who would actually "have fun" out of an interactive rape scene, if the game released and I played through that scene, I think I would probably feel sick and horrible inside, who knows, I might not want to play further beyond that, I'm not sure. Though perhaps that was Rockstar's intent?

If said scene is in the game, I imagine its one of the main reasons for the AO rating/bans, and it's pretty likely it wont make it to the final release, and I can't think of many people who would be disapointed by that.

Just found that the Irish censor-board has banned Manhunt 2 over here as well. There was an article about it in the Irish Sunday Times, and for once the media seems more forgiving of video-game violence, the journalist stating that the game could easily be compared to Tom & Jerry (of course, just without the gore), and that humans naturally enjoy watching (if secretively) scenes of a sadistic nature.

Think about it though: for those who watch horror films, what is it that keeps you watching? I found myself thinking that when I watched Hostel a few weeks back, and I can assure you, there are some seriously grim scenes in that. As humans, we seem to enjoy violence. I mean, even if it's someone being punched in the face in a harmless comedy film, we still laugh at the misfortune of the sad bugger who now has a bleeding nose.

There's always going to be a kind of distance between game violence and televised violence. When a Locust grub is blown into several pieces by a stray grenade in GoW, I don't bat an eyelid, but when it's something like The Exorcism or whatever, I can't bear to watch.

The Irish censor that banned the game says it features, 'gross, unrelenting and gratuitous violence', and complains that 'every conceivable weapon is used to commit acts of shocking brutality', and he's probably got it right, but to use the tired, age-old cliché: it's just a game.

It was brought up a while ago that the only reason Rockstar decided to make this game was to take some of the heat away from GTA IV and well in all honesty, if this is true then it has worked brilliantly. I mean there's another GTA IV trailer coming this Thursday and yet, do you see much hype for it? Not really no. Obviously we know about it and are looking forward to it, but Manhunt's banning in various places has received more attention lately than anything GTA has and that has to say something considering just how damn powerful/popular the GTA franchise is now.

It's interesting, that's for sure.

Also, Angra, it really sucks to hear about what nearly happened to you. Once would be bad enough let alone twice, so yeah that sucks. I hope you smacked them upside the head though, for good measure. ;)

Let's just say that the second wanker won't be having children anytime soon.

Well done Angra :thumbsup:

Ah there's the Angra we (I) all know and love. :ph43r:

:thumbsup: