Manhunt 2 banned

Rob Rymond

The BBFC (the films classification board in the UK) has rejected Manhunt 2 for release in any UK store on the Wii. The decision was made by three of the head honcho's at the company. Meanwhile over in Ireland the IFCO have also made a prohibition order on the title.

The banning of Manhunt 2 follows controversy over the original game on the PlayStation 2 after a murder was thought to have been spurred by actions in-game.

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.”

Meanwhile the Director General of ELPSA, Paul Jackson has spoken about the ruling:

"A decision from the BBFC such as this demonstrates that we have a games ratings system in the UK that is effective. It shows it works and works well. Any decision the BBFC takes, it takes on the basis of its remit to rate on screen entertainment.

It is the first game to be banned however since Carmageddon in 1997. UK magazine, NGamer were the first and only magazine to review the game due out in a few weeks and rated the game 92% stating:

"A lot of people are going to be offended by it, for its copious violence and occasional sex scene, and somebody, somewhere is going to get a shock when they walk in on a friend laterally bisecting a hunter's head with realistic sawing motions. Manhunt 2 is what Wii's parental controls are for. The sticker on the box says it's for over 18s only and, believe us, it's not wrong."

The BBFC have been unable to recommend any cuts or removal of content that could make it suitable for sale on both Wii and PS2. Rockstar have six weeks to appeal and we'll keep you updated on progress.

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miiguy

Peauty-Peauty Pants. That sucks.

And so did Carmageddon.

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Games owned: Wii Sports, Wii Play, Super Monkey Ball, Rampage Total Destruction, Excite Truck, Red Steel, Godfather Blackhand Edition, Warioware Smooth Moves, Tiger Woods 07, Cooking Mama, Rayman Rabid Rabbids, Resident Evil 4, Mario Party 8, Boogie.

Sovieto

o.o
oh noez..
things like this actually make the US look BETTER.

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madbeanman

So should we still expect an Irish release?

Rob Rymond

I'll find out more for you, does the BBFC not cover Ireland as well? I'd imagine a ban would take place across the UK and Ireland and no doubt in America as well.

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Jay61

Well...that sure sucks.

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supanova

It sure does.

Is the Wii region free?

Rob Rymond

Don't expect a release in other countries with stricter controls than ours!

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madbeanman

Id imagine we would have different censors as we are an independent nation. We do for TV.

chach

No but seriously that is crap, isnt that why there is mature warning labels on games. Here little kids have to be with parents when buying games like that.

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King Wiired 

Lmao, I knew it'd get Banned. Shitty UK..

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miiguy

But for us in the UK not to be able to purchase it, surely it needs to be banned in the WHOLE of EUROPE due to it being a PAL release?

The Wii is region locked, not country locked?

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Original Wii owner: December 8th 2006
Games owned: Wii Sports, Wii Play, Super Monkey Ball, Rampage Total Destruction, Excite Truck, Red Steel, Godfather Blackhand Edition, Warioware Smooth Moves, Tiger Woods 07, Cooking Mama, Rayman Rabid Rabbids, Resident Evil 4, Mario Party 8, Boogie.

captainff

Unforutunately no. If you look at porn, for example, what is legally available in Amsterdam is very different to what is legally available in the UK. We tend to be far more restrictive than mainland Europe.


(hmm, that sounded different to how I meant it......but you understand what I was trying to say!)

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chach

Um what other games have been banned in England? Was Gta ever banned?

Either way im sure you guys will find a way to get the game maybe ill move over there and become a manhunt smuggler

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i0n 

I wonder if the Wiis motion controls played a part in this game being banned, a ban for one console may be taken as a blanket ban for all.

"waggle-strangling" as opposed to A B A B A buttons bashing.

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Rob Rymond

Carmageddon was banned in 1997 as stated in the article but was later released I think with green blood.

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King Wiired 

Never thought of that.. probably has stuff like using the Wiimote to stab the hell outta people and such sadly, sounds great..

lol at green blood, reminds me of old Turok games.

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miiguy

Agreed, but that doesn't stop me purchasing it from Holland. This is the power of the internet. Get caught and UK law could punish me, but that's if I get caught.

I owned Carmageddon and Thrill Kill, both banned in the UK

Somehow I can't see Greater Manchester Police setting up a task force to deal with Manhunt 2 owners.

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Original Wii owner: December 8th 2006
Games owned: Wii Sports, Wii Play, Super Monkey Ball, Rampage Total Destruction, Excite Truck, Red Steel, Godfather Blackhand Edition, Warioware Smooth Moves, Tiger Woods 07, Cooking Mama, Rayman Rabid Rabbids, Resident Evil 4, Mario Party 8, Boogie.

chach

Without a doubt that has to play a huge role in it. It wouldnt suprise me at all if studies showed that making the movements rather then just pressing buttons causes more aggressive thoughts or actions..

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rudy_691

thats a really bad news...remember playing it on PC...man that games ownz