http://www.computerandvid...com/article.php?id=166215The BBFC has rejected Manhunt 2 on PS2 and Wii, the ratings board has revealed, meaning that the sequel "cannot be legally supplied anywhere in the UK".
We've called Rockstar several times but have yet been unable to contact anyone.
According to the BBFC, the decision to refuse the game a rating was taken by the Director and the Presidential Team of Sir Quentin Thomas, Lord Taylor of Warwick and Janet Lewis-Jones.
Under the terms of the Video Recordings Act, distributors have the right to appeal the Board's decision.
David Cooke, Director of the BBFC said:
"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. In the case of Manhunt 2 this has not been possible. 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.
"Although the difference should not be exaggerated the fact of the game's unrelenting focus on stalking and brutal slaying and the sheer lack of alternative pleasures on offer to the gamer, together with the different overall narrative context, contribute towards differentiating this submission from the original Manhunt game. That work was classified '18' in 2003, before the BBFC's recent games research had been undertaken, but was already at the very top end of what the Board judged to be acceptable at that category.
"Against this background, the Board's carefully considered view is that to issue a certificate to Manhunt 2, on either platform, would involve a range of unjustifiable harm risks, to both adults and minors, within the terms of the Video Recordings Act, and accordingly that its availability, even if statutorily confined to adults, would be unacceptable to the public."
Check back for updates this afternoon but be sure to join the debate below.
Update: NGamer magazine has reviewed the Wii version, giving it 92%. Hit this link to read exclusive excerpts. Update out
Update 2: The Irish Film Censor's Office has also banned the release of Manhunt 2.
"A prohibition order has been made by IFCO in relation to the video game Manhunt 2. The Order was made on 18th June 2007 under Sec 7 (1) (b) of the Video Recordings Act 1989 which refers to 'acts of gross violence or cruelty (including mutilation and torture)'.
"IFCO recognizes that in certain films, DVDs and video games, strong graphic violence may be a justifiable element within the overall context of the work. However, in the case of Manhunt 2, IFCO believes that there is no such context, and the level of gross, unrelenting and gratuitous violence is unacceptable." Update 2 out
That's the only videogame I can think of that's been flat out denied release here. I can think of some games that have had to be edited in order to be released, but none that weren't allowed a release at all. I didn't really enjoy the first Manhunt anyway, so it's not a big loss personally.
Before we get a string of posts saying "Videogames don't cause violent behaviour", you should realise violent crime in the UK is going up and violent videogames add to the culture of it all. They may not be a direct cause of violent behaviour but it does contribute in a way.
I think censorship is good to a certain degree. Where does the line get drawn, though? How is wilfully controlling a fictional character to brutally kill another any different to a bit of the ol' fictional child molestation? It's all against the law and all morally wrong.
I'm not entirely against violent games because after all, it's not real. But there are always some people who need to be accounted for and that's why we have censorship.
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