Manhunt 2 has gotten banned in the UK

[TB666]

Got posted at TWC so might as well share it here.
http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/PSP/M...ews.asp?c=3374
Yep, BBFC has banned Manhunt 2 from being released in the UK.
Before even the first screenshots came out.

[The Blind King of Bohemia]

Most will just order it on import anyway mate. If manhunt got a sequel they need to do one for the warriors. God I love that game

Manhunt was ok. It got a bit boring watching cash slaughtering everyone. The only time I had a laugh was in the mental hospital level, icing the "wichta wichta man" blokes

[Geoffrey S]

There are screenshots out, I believe there was also a video, and various previews leave nothing to the imagination about the gameplay mechanics. Personally I find the game and the concept behind it sickening and cannot fathom what enjoyment one can gain from it, but is banning the answer? To be honest, until more is done to make sure 18+ games arrive at the correct audience it's the only approach that can be taken, but that won't stop imports or downloads.

[Bijo]

I will automatically assume MH2 to be very stylish as its foregoer. I'd also have to assume its just that: style (over substance).

It is banned there? They will, indeed, just import or download the goods.

[Lorenzo_H]

It's banned because here in Britain a little kid beat his friend to death with a cricket bat after playing it.

[Geoffrey S]

...despite police stating explicitely that the motivation was robbery and had nothing to do with the game...

[drone]

It's banned because here in Britain a little kid beat his friend to death with a cricket bat after playing it.

The first Manhunt hysteria...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhunt_%28video_game%29

In the UK, the game was linked to the murder of Stefan Pakeerah, 14, by his friend Warren Leblanc, 17. Giselle Pakeerah, the victim's mother, claimed that Leblanc had been 'obsessed' with the game after the former pleaded guilty in court. During the subsequent media circus, the game was removed from sale by some vendors, such as the UK and international branches of GAME and Dixons, leading to "significantly increased" demand both from retailers and on internet auction sites. The police denied any such link between the game and the murder however, citing drug-related robbery as the motive. The presiding judge also placed sole responsibility with Leblanc in his summing up after awarding him a life sentence. GAME have since returned Manhunt to their shelves, after it transpired that the murderer did not even own or ever play the game. It was apparently the victim who owned a copy of Manhunt, even though he was under 18.

So not only was it the victim that had the game, and the parents let him have the game even though he was underage, they tried to pin in on the game for whatever reason they could come up with. Which the press never really reported afterwards, since it wouldn't be sexy news...

Hysteria, press, and free advertising. Rockstar couldn't be happier.

[TevashSzat]

Sigh....the videogame industry is just a scapegoat since it has not grown as big as the music, television, or movie industry which has alot more lobbyists in Congress. One would think that doing something in Manhunt 2 which is obviously fake and not realistic would not be as horrible as some of the tortures they have in some of the Saw series which although is R rated, can be seen incredibly easily

[Geoffrey S]

Sigh....the videogame industry is just a scapegoat since it has not grown as big as the music, television, or movie industry which has alot more lobbyists in Congress. One would think that doing something in Manhunt 2 which is obviously fake and not realistic would not be as horrible as some of the tortures they have in some of the Saw series which although is R rated, can be seen incredibly easily

True. Saw, I could take. But its sequels, and filth like Hostel, I cannot understand where the appeal lies.

[professorspatula]

What never impressed me about Manhunt 1, aside from it not being a particularly great game, was how you are rewarded for killing in the sickest way possible. The more terrible ways you killed someone, the more direct reward and pleasure you got from it. In a sense you're actively rewarded throughout for being a sicko psychopath! Yes you murder and go on violent killing sprees in other games, but the death and methods in Manhunt were more intimate. When you watch a violent movie where heads get chopped off, you're not actively taking part in that scene or getting direct feedback from it; I think that's where the differences in movies and games lie - immediate response to the actions. Only in movies you generally go 'ewwww!' when a head rolls off, but in a game you go 'yea, again!'. Manhunt is probably the only time I've played a violent game and had to step back from it and wonder just what the hell is going on to make us want to play this kind of a game. With the graphics and environments in games getting more realistic all the time, I can only assume MH2 raised a few more eyebrows with the censors.

[Geoffrey S]

Not to mention the Wii version requiring similar movement with the controller to the executions taking place in-game. I really think that takes things that step too far.

[Grey_Fox]

That could be part of it Geoffrey, but not the main reason since it's been banned on all consoles.

[Fragony]

Not to mention the Wii version requiring similar movement with the controller to the executions taking place in-game. I really think that takes things that step too far.

hehehe can't wait to use the saw. Yeah it's a sick game, but it's also extremily atmospheric. Really looking forward to part deux.

[drone]

Manhunt 2 is getting the dreaded "AO" (adults only) rating from the ESRB here in the states. Which pretty much eliminates it from being sold at the big-box retailers.

Probably the correct rating, but it looks like they will need a alternate outlet for sales.

Can't find a link without profane user comments on it, but it shows up on Google.

[Mikeus Caesar]

Meh, it's just another Rockstar game, made to get people to buy it through shock value.

Since GTA: San Andreas i've been of the opinion that all Rockstar games are mindless and pointless.

[Rodion Romanovich]

At first I thought this was another stupid videogame banning incident, but this seems like a really pointless bloodbath of a game, so the ban is fine with me. If this becomes a trend that carries over to normal games however, I'll sharpen my sarissa and stock up on ammo for my M1 Garand

[Fragony]

noooooooooooooooo it's an extreme alright but Manhunt was one hell of a game. It's about being in a snuff movie, so naturally there is a lot of violence, it's concept is really tight and well realised. It has a few moments that are just brilliant, but it's scary all the way, no comic relief whatsoever, just an awesome feeling of dread. And it's long, and each level is weirder and crueler then the last. Especially the assylum. geez.

'I know you've been drinking again Maryyyyyyyyy'

[TB666]

Well looks like Manhunt 2 has gotten shot down.
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6172830...stnews;title;0
Both Sony and Nintendo has banned it
Now Rockstar can't release the game at all.

[Fragony]

Was worried this would happen, they will have to cut back on the gore if we are ever to play this title. Kinda wonder what makes part deux so vicious compared to the first, some truly gruesome stuff in that one and it only got a mature rating. It isn't just the Wiimote simulation, ps2 gets AO as well. Bleh, an AO title on a nintendo system, they sadly can't do that, it's a family console. Have to draw a line somewhere

so moody, throw in towel Rockstar, I want it.

[bedlam28]

I find the whole idea of banning ridiculous. The focus should be on inforcing the Rating.
AO rating seems perfectly acceptable. And whilst we cant control adults letting kids play it, the rule is there and could possibly be enforced if it was found necessary. Like the whole 'over-feeding is abuse' debate raging in UK.

If an adult lets a kid play it, then the adult is at fault. but there will always be those that ignore the ratings, those with a screw loose that take a media into reality.
But to stop an entire country from playing a game for these few idiots and loons is a bad start down a worse path.
It would be like banning 'Polly' by Nirvana because of those 2 sickos that attacked a girl whilst singing it. Kurt Cobain was horrified by these people, but the song wasn't banned.

but thats just one adults opinion, someone who has seen Saw and Hostel, played GTA and Manhunt and Not killed anyone.

[English assassin]

Ban or no ban, I cannot understand why anyone would want to play this game, any more than I can understand the appeal of Saw or Hostel.

Maybe I am getting old.

[bedlam28]

To be honest English Assasin, I think its the same appeal that comes for any other genre.
All such media stirs something, be it laughter and happiness of a comedy, triumph of achievement in taking over the world in Total Wars, the heat of battle in Battlefield 2142 or the sweat, fear and grotesque of Saw and Manhunt.
Each style of game, each genre of movie, each style of music stirs something.
and its a different something in each of us.

To be scared, or horrified for me is the same as when I laugh so hard I cant breathe, or I feel a tear escape in a society where 'men dont cry'. They bring a clarity of feeling that is something I love in all my games and movies.

You can't have a light without a dark to stick it in.
Arlo Guthrie (1947 - )

If you've never seen darkness, how can you truly appreciate the light?

ohhh philosophy LOL.

[doc_bean]

Ban or no ban, I cannot understand why anyone would want to play this game, any more than I can understand the appeal of Saw or Hostel.

Maybe I am getting old.

I saw (heh..) Hostel and Saw without realizing their reputation, and frankly I think the disgust factor is overrated, they're not worse than some 80s horror movies I've seen, and certainly not more disturbing than your average holocaust documentary or some books I've read. They aren't great movies but they weren't bad either.

Not that Manhunt2 interests me. Is there even a motive for going around killing people ?

[English assassin]

If you've never seen darkness, how can you truly appreciate the light?

Quite easily IMHO. I can enjoy flowers and little bunny rabbits with snuffly noses without having to think, phew, at least no one is being dismembered and made to eat their own fingers.

To be more specific, I personally do not get the appeal of gross. I like a good creepy horror movie, or even a (frankly pretty gross) thriller like Seven. I just don't need to see fountains of blood.

Its not specific to movies or games, I didn't like American Psycho (the book) either. (Although as a satire on the 80s I think its a good book, artistically.)

[Louis VI the Fat]

Doc, assassin, here's a hot tip! I hate FPS, because I'm not at all interested in midless blood and gore, whether games or movies or otherwise. However, there is this one FPS gem, No One Lives Forever. (1 + 2)

These two games totally rule. Absolutelly brilliant, witty, clever and oozling with style. It's Austin Powers meets sixties spy shows. I can not recommend them highly enough. Not to mention, you two sound like people who'd totally get the humour of these games.

NOLF 1
NOLF 2

[bedlam28]

Cheers Louis I'll take a look. Love Austin Powers films.

And English, thanks for a decent discussion. Its so nice to debate without the whole, your dumb, no you are that you find in most forums.
I like that kind of stuff and you dont, and you made a good arguement for your opinion.
So which TW you into ??
subtle change of subject huh, Hehe.

Good gaming.

[Mikeus Caesar]

I find the whole idea of banning ridiculous. The focus should be on inforcing the Rating.
AO rating seems perfectly acceptable. And whilst we cant control adults letting kids play it, the rule is there and could possibly be enforced if it was found necessary. Like the whole 'over-feeding is abuse' debate raging in UK.

If an adult lets a kid play it, then the adult is at fault. but there will always be those that ignore the ratings, those with a screw loose that take a media into reality.
But to stop an entire country from playing a game for these few idiots and loons is a bad start down a worse path.
It would be like banning 'Polly' by Nirvana because of those 2 sickos that attacked a girl whilst singing it. Kurt Cobain was horrified by these people, but the song wasn't banned.

but thats just one adults opinion, someone who has seen Saw and Hostel, played GTA and Manhunt and Not killed anyone.

Actually, i recall reading in the paper that some guy from the BBFC even said that not even adults should play this. And i whole-heartedly agree with him. Just another stupid violent rockstar game.

And the whole 'im an adult whos played these games and not killed anyone' argument is getting old. Can't you violence lovers find something else to stick at the end of your bad arguments?

[AntiochusIII]

And the whole 'im an adult whos played these games and not killed anyone' argument is getting old. Can't you violence lovers find something else to stick at the end of your bad arguments?

Well, the "bad argument" is true.

We all know what different game genres are for. People just have different urges at different times because of different things. I never played Manhunt and don't know the degree of its brutality but I know I'd rather play a gory blast-the-damn-thing-over FPS rather than some head-scratching strategy games at the end of a terrible, terrible day. Some moods just ask to be relieved not by "slick chic flicks & co." but by graphic videogaming violence.

Just because you think it's stupid (and it probably is) doesn't mean you can just ban it, you know. That's, well, against my human rights.

[Husar]

That's why whene we ban games herebecause of violence, they can still be bought by adults and I think complete bans are only due when there is Nazi or other forbidden content(that's why some games have different flag textures here).
And concerning the argument that you may need a violent game after a bad day, does it really have to be that violent and pointless? You could just hunt some river pirates in Mount&Blade or so.

[English assassin]

Doc, assassin, here's a hot tip! I hate FPS, because I'm not at all interested in midless blood and gore, whether games or movies or otherwise. However, there is this one FPS gem, No One Lives Forever. (1 + 2)

Top stuff, cheers, will check it out.

And English, thanks for a decent discussion. Its so nice to debate without the whole, your dumb, no you are that you find in most forums.
I like that kind of stuff and you dont, and you made a good arguement for your opinion.
So which TW you into ??

The org is an island of good manners in a howling universe of,err, howlingness. Umm, I may get back to you on that sentence.

MTW. Still a great game. I skipped RTW, as it didn't seem that well received on here by the people who liked MTW. I got M2TW, but never got into it. Its a bit flaky on my PC which doesn't help, but mainly I just didn't think it did anything better enough compared to MTW to be worth the bother.

Mmm...MTW...must resist....