Finally, a line in the sand is drawn as Manhunt 2 gets (temporarily) kicked into touch
Banned by the British Board of Film Classification and given an AO rating by the US Entertainment Software Rating Board, Take-Two Entertainment, the game’s creator, has coyly announced it is temporarily suspending plans to distribute Manhunt 2.
However, the company says this is ”a game that fits squarely within the horror genre and was intended to do so„ and the game is a ”fine piece of art„. The BBFC called it a game of ”sustained and cumulative sadism„ and that it ”encourages visceral killing with exceptionally little alleviation or distancing„.
Neither Sony nor Nintendo are impressed. AO games are not permitted on their consoles and as a result it has been restricted from release.
And well Nintendo should, given its biggest plug for the Wii was that you could ‘feel’ the action with the remote control. As such, someone playing Manhunt 2 on Wii (if the game had been released) would enjoy the ‘feel’ of sticking a syringe, a pen, a knife or a shard of glass into a victim’s neck. And let’s not forget the part of the game set in a brothel where the main character is encouraged to kill prostitutes using a variety of objects.
I do wonder if the people behind Manhunt 2 are familiar with the meaning of the word ‘misogynist’. Of course the ‘crew’ at Take-Two are ”squarely within the horror genre„ so perchance they feel that portraying sustained violence against women is acceptable - gosh, even normal!
Defenders of Manhunt 2 could well point to the many horror/slasher movies Hollywood has churned out in the past and claim the game is simply how entertainment has evolved. And if you are going to target violence, you have to ask yourself just what was the final body count from the Rambo movies starring Sylvester Stallone.
Movies though only last for 90 or so minutes, don’t actively encourage participation and physical engagement and do not involve the option of without-a-break watching that can stretch for hours.
Here’s a question for those of you with children. If your son, let’s say he’s 17, announced that to stay awake for an early Sunday morning sporting event he and three friends were going to watch the first three Rambo movies would you object? What if one of your son’s buddies had downloaded an illegal copy of Manhunt 2; would you let them play it?
I wouldn’t, because I think the very concept of Manhunt 2 is morally wrong and I applaud the BBFC for stopping the game in its tracks.
Some people scream censorship. I call the ban common sense.
"And let’s not forget the part of the game set in a brothel where the main character is encouraged to kill prostitutes using a variety of objects. I do wonder if the people behind Manhunt 2 are familiar with the meaning of the word ‘misogynist’."
Since most of the reports of in-game content have been nonsense at best, we don't actually know if that is in the game. Seems a bit unfair to make judgments without actually playing it, don't you think? Regardless, accusations of misogny seem crass and unfair being that the game would not be adhering to equality if it didn't allow you to kill both men and woman.
Regardless of this, what gives you the right to decide what adults should and shouldn't be able to do in their spare time? No one is denying that children should not have access to this game, but despite arguments about active participation and playing a role in causing the aggressive, graphic violence, there seems no reason why mature adults should not be allowed to play this game if they do not want to. It is not harming themselves or anyone else any more or less than seeing a violent horror film, or playing any number of non-banned violent video games that allow you to do similar acts. Can you come up with a reasonable argument, or are you just going to use other people's arguments to support your idiotic misinformation?
Posted by: Dr Alex Thomas | June 27, 2007 6:58 PM
obviously you are not a very bright person so whatever you and doctor thomas have to say about the subject is just stupid, hav a good day!
Posted by: carlos | June 28, 2007 2:33 AM
I am so pissed off this game was held back. This game is made for mature adults over 18. This game is not for children. I dont understand why people think these games are being marketed to children. The bottom line is, that parents dont pay attention to what their kids are doing. You would be surprised how much you learn about your child if you acctually listen to them.
Posted by: Dr.Toker | June 28, 2007 3:18 AM
Everyone seems to be up in arms about 'the kids'. Do you know who plays Halo 2 (a "M" rated game I will add) online? Lots of underage kids. Do you know who plays Grand Theft Auto and its sequals? Kids. Even though these games are intended for people who are "17 and older". So how is delaying Manhunt 2 going to stop any of these 'kids' from getting their hands on this game? Regardless of if the game is censored or toned down, they're still going to play it. Now more than ever thanks to all the publicity the news is putting out. Nothing tells a kid "I want to play that" like a game that everyone is calling "morally wrong". Thanks for giving a helping hand in the fueling of the fire, conservatives. You're doing just as much harm, if not worse.
Posted by: Lynn Terra | June 28, 2007 6:49 AM
I think Manhunt 2 should be released because its no diffrent to the slauter movies that are out now. I think that this game fits in with all of the horror films that are out now. Hostol now that is the most shocking movies out and if manhunt 2 is relly worst well im shocked. The other thing im sick to death is people telling you what to play because at the end of the day you choose personly to wath and play these things and thats your desition. But to tell the company how to do there jobs and make sure it dont go into kids hands is wrong. Because at the end of the day rockstar games desing it for adults to play. Some adults like it some dont and i know a lot of people dont like horror films because they are so sick. But these people got to respect that some people relly like horror stuff they entertain people. But the other thing is parents see a big massive age cetificate saying its 18. AND yes its 18. When parents buy them some kids go and mimic senes and a huge outbreak occres. Its not the companys fault think about it the company like desinging games for people they make them horrorible for horror fans that are 18. Once its desinged they release them after they have got an age group after that its not there responsiblity to make sure it dont go into childrens hands. Guess what its the parents the parents go into these game shops and buy a 18 rated game and they now fully its for 18s only. and at the end they see there kids playing it and its so violent they complain and a huge outbreak occres on the news ban this. Well whos fault is it thats commpare it game company desing it to keep us entertained. Parents buy 18 games kids copy it. Guys think about it
Posted by: chris | June 28, 2007 8:12 AM
I don't understand what Mr. Fletcher is so afraid of. I wonder if he feels the same way about all violence? Would he let his children watch the evening news? Why don't we ban WAR! Video games don't "tell" kids what to do. This game isn't for kids anyway, it was supposed to be for 18+. Do you have a problem with eighteen year olds going to Iraq and actually killing people. IT IS A VIDEO GAME! It is just a game, don't be scared.
It's an interesting paradox that people continue to blame video games for violence while simultaneously our country is involved in a war, a real manhunt. Except unlike in the game Manhunt II where it is man vs man simulated violence, babies and little children get maimed and murdered everyday in reality in Iraq.
I believe that it is ludicrous that people talk about games like Manhunt II causing violent acts out of one side of their mouth while they support fewer gun restrictions out of the other.
What violent video games was John Wayne Gacy playing again? I wish that John Gacy would have had a game like Manhunt II maybe he could have worked out some of his sick obsessions in a virtual world instead of the real one.
Isn't it time we let adults play video games for adults. I've been playing video games for twenty years. I remember when people were saying that Pac-Man was just to violent. I probably play about one game all the way through per year. I am not an "everyday" player by any means. Some of my favorite games, in past years, have been Manhunt and Grand Theft Auto. I don't see what the problem is.
Posted by: Steven | July 10, 2007 3:01 PM