Rockstar's latest has joined the ranks of Thrill Kill, Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude Uncut and Uncensored, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (the first version), Fahrenheit: Indigo Prophecy: Director's Cut, and Playboy the Mansion: Private Party. Like these games, Manhunt 2 has received the ESRB's highest content rating, AO (Adults Only).
Now, Rockstar has to make a very important decision concerning their game. They can either release the game with the AO rating and risk not having the game sold at stores like Target or Wal-Mart, appeal the AO rating, or edit the game and resubmit it. A representative for Rockstar told Kotaku that they have not made a decision yet, and are considering all the options to get this game released.
This is the second big blow to the game today. Earlier on in the day, RF Generation forum member, James, reported to us that the BBFC rejected Manhunt 2, which means that it cannot be released in the UK and Ireland. Here is a link to James'
thread on our message board.
Obviously, Rockstar and Take 2 are in a very tough place right now. Their game was banned in the UK and Ireland, and is not going to be sold at the biggest retailers in the USA. My advice for Rockstar: release the AO version of the game to retailers that will accept it, and give the rest of them a cut down M rated version of the game. That way, the creator's original vision will be available to those who search it out, and if you can't find it, you can just as easily buy the edited version. This practice is used very often with DVD movies. They will released the normal movie as seen in theaters, and an unrated version that would have gotten the movie an NC-17 rating.
Manhunt 2 is currently slated for a July 9th release on Playstation 2, Nintendo Wii, and PSP.
Sources:
http://kotaku.com/gaming/...ed-adults-only-270337.phphttp://kotaku.com/gaming/...manhunt-rating-270371.php
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Oops. Perhaps a bit too graphic. AO Rating I am okay with, but it greatly perturbs me that the BBFC banned the game. Yay censorship and talking security cameras that tell you to stop being a miscreant. Surely, the UK has it made.
NOTE: I actually would love to emigrate to the UK. It's just a mockery, not a "I hate England rant"
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I want to try this game just to see what all the hype is about.
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It's only the Wii version that is raising concerns because of the motions involved with controlling it. I wouldn't be surprised if the PS2/PSP versions only get a "M" rating.
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And the game will be banned in Germany as well as they ban loads of games. This will make the European market where the game can be released quite small with the the two biggest countries having a ban.
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I'm kind of surprised that Nintendo would let a game on their system be AO.
Ken
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I agree with Mezmoron, that the Big N would allow an AO game to be released. I also agree with Tan. Release an M rated version to the stores and release an AO version on there website(s) and the other stores who accepts them. I want to play this game just to see what the hype is all about.
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