Rockstar appeals second Manhunt 2 rejection

Developer announces it will contest the BBFC's latest decision to ban the edited version of its controversial title, says extra changes requested were "unacceptable."

This morning, Rockstar Games got the latest in a string of bad news for its controversial horror game Manhunt 2. After presenting an edited version of the game to the British Board of Film Classification, Rockstar learnt that the new version was also refused a rating, meaning that both it and the original are still banned in the UK.

The company has had better luck across the pond, where the Entertainment Software Ratings Board granted the edited version of the game an M for Mature rating, meaning that it could be sold to anyone aged 17 and over. Manhunt 2 is now due for release in North America on October 31.

As for why the edits weren't to the BBFC's liking, the board stated that the "reduction in visual detail in some of the execution kills" was still not enough to bring the title in line with an 18 rating. The director of the BBFC, David Cooke, also said the organisation had suggested further changes to the game be made, although some requests were ignored.

Rockstar responded with a statement shortly after the announcement, stating that it would also be appealing this decision, and that the extra changes it was requested to make were "unacceptable." The statement is as follows, "We are continuing to appeal the BBFC's decision to deny the edited version of Manhunt 2 an 18 certificate and thereby ban its release in the United Kingdom."

Rockstar slammed what it painted as BBFC hypocrisy regarding video games and movies, focusing on the argument that many consider the game to be no worse than recently 18-rated "torture" movies, including Hostel and Saw III. Its statement said, "The changes necessary in order to publish the game in Britain are unacceptable to us and represent a setback for video games. The BBFC allows adults the freedom to decide for themselves when it comes to horror in movies and we think adults should be similarly allowed to decide for themselves when it comes to horror in video games, such as Manhunt 2."

209 Comments

  • WestCoastRida

    Posted Oct 18, 2007 7:13 pm PT

    manhunt 2 will be one of the most brutal playstation games ever (next to the original manhunt and The Punisher but only if you have the uncensored cheat that lets you see the interrogation kills fully...)

  • numnutz01

    Posted Oct 18, 2007 5:07 am PT

    in case the people i offened red my comment, sorry guys i didnt think , i was jst expressin my opion in a wrong way jst the way i do 2 people i knw, sorry if u were offended and sorry people at gamespot, i honestly meant no malice in what i said, i love using this service an i dont want to abuse it, i wont make any derrogatory comments 2 any1 else, sincerly Randrews

  • knowah

    Posted Oct 17, 2007 10:45 am PT

    To DaDude253, the team that is making Manhunt is NOT the same team that is making GTAIV. The reason that GTAIV got delayed is because it just wasn't running and working they way they wanted it to. They decided it would be better to delay the game and work on what needed to be fixed rather than just release a game that was not at 100%. Other company's might do that, but I don't think Rockstar would ever betray their loyal fan-base like that. Think about it, if they had released a game that people had been dying to play that was not working properly, you and everyone else, myself included, would be raising hell. I know waiting sucks, but look, there are a ton of great games coming out very soon. We can all play these games, and then when GTAIV does come out, we won't have to worry about the games were not getting to play, cause we already played them. Just be patient, it will all work out in the end.

  • nazraq

    Posted Oct 15, 2007 9:07 pm PT

    sure would be nice if they put an unedited version on the pc. i bet the developers would love to see their game the way it was ment to be played. (little nvidia humor)

  • DaDude253

    Posted Oct 14, 2007 11:19 pm PT

    Rockstar should just give up and focus on GTAIV this event is proberly why GTAIV got delayed in the first place

  • knoxs

    Posted Oct 13, 2007 5:53 pm PT

    dude, lynch, i know u just bought those consoles, and i know the rock, but... STOP BEING SUCH A SELFISH BASTARD!!!, i mean what about the other people who doesnt want to let go off their ps2... i mean, i would kick ass if manhunt 2 would come out on ps3, but man, ONLY ON PS3?, i mean every sigle fucing video game should come out on every platform, (exept for the wii, it sucks) and the worst part is that u dont want other people to play it, imagine an 8 year old ps2 owner, exited becuz manhunt 2 is gunna come out, but no... when he gets to the store, its only on ps3 and xbox 360, imagine the little child crying... of course... i dont think u give a crap, but im just saying, if ya keep that up, ur gunna go to hell.

  • LynchMob09R

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 4:49 pm PT

    all i gotta say is the reason why its is getting rejected is because it is not on the really important consoles like xbox 360 and PS3. If Rockstar would give up trying and make it for xbox 360 and PS3 then it wouldn't get rejected for selected sums of people own those consoles out there!!!

    So Rockstar stop trying and go to work on versions for next-gen consoles!!!

  • 0678

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 9:41 am PT

    im so annoyed at this come onnnn manhunt was edgy and brilliant to play come on manhunt 2. if the changes demanded compromise the feeling of the game or story will it even be worth selling?

  • RockaWuzHur

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 7:30 am PT

    BBFC F*ck off and let Rockstar do their thing.

  • RockaWuzHur

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 7:20 am PT

    I don't live in the UK but If I did I'd be pretty pissed off that someone is telling me what I can and can't do. The BBFC are a bunch of overprotective parents in my opinion. I guess they only want people playing sissy games in Britan.

  • Dagamemonkey

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 7:59 pm PT

    All I can say is they better not tone the game down further for us in North America. I am so set for its release and I can't wait to play it.

  • avarice789

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 6:04 pm PT

    as far as im concerned FORGET bbfc and just release the game in the u.k. becuas it should be up to the parents to decide wether or not their child should get it and if you are 18+ who cares you can legally get it.

  • knoxs

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 3:19 pm PT

    MWAHAHAHAHAHA, I ALREADY HAVE THE GAME!!,
    I´m from venezuela and the manhunt 2 videogame is already here (in spanish, not audio but subtitled) although i can't pass level 3...='(, I've been looking for walkthroughs but it looks like the game is too new for having one, i wish i could just pass that level, hey if u can give me any help w/ this e-mail me at hitman_47_666@hotmail.com, please i need help... btw, THE GAME ROCKS!!!

  • JackBurton

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 2:41 pm PT

    mier2003 says-
    (While I do see your point JackBurton, You have to have played games as long as I have to see where I am coming from. I come from way back before Atari. I grew up with gaming and have been around it since it's formation into what it is today.)

    I too, have been around since the early incarnation of the videogame. Remember when we stood in line, with a pocket full of quarters, waiting to play a little game called Space Invaders? I was also going to the movies, alone, as a 6 year old child, before the Film Ratings System existed as we know it today! Who would let their 6yr old go anywhere unsupervised in this society?!
    It was just G and M back-in-the-day, as there wasn't even an NC-17 or X rating, until "Last Tango In Paris" and "Clockwork Orange", if my memory serves me correctly. Ah but back then we were hearing about the evils and need for censorship of lyrics in 60's & 70's music, which was FAR more timid than today's, eh?

    mier2003 says-
    (If I were to shelter my children the way they should be in today's society, people would start screaming about me cutting them off from the world and censoring their very lives. I wouldn't be letting them experience life in all of it's atrocities. I would be told, "they have to experience the good with the bad.".

    You see to blame just parents or any single group for that matter is just wrong. If we parents followed the course of action that most gamers suggest then the very gamers who suggested it would be ready to string us up for censorship. We just can't win. I can't be there at every friend's house when they go over. I can't sit with them every day at school to make sure they don't hear or say anything they shouldn't. I also can't be there every time they go to the mall to make sure some crazed moron doesn't hurt them.)

    I guess my point in an earlier post was- It is EVERY parent's responsibility to know their child and to govern their movies and games accordingly. Sure it's easier said than done these days, as there are few stay-at-home mothers/fathers. That said, now we have Government entities who feel as though they must act as "Society's Parent's" and censure as much content as they can b4 it reaches the masses for consumption. Quite a thinly veiled excuse to justify Big Brother's forms of censorship, imho.
    You say you have children, and so let's assume you watch sports with your child. Are you not outraged by the sheer volume of ads for alcohol you and your child are bombarded with during a 3hr broadcast? Does this temptation by the almighty powerful beverage Lobby to attach your child to a beverage-brand at the earliest possible age not worry you more, or at least as much, than the content of a videogame?
    If you agree with game-content censorship, surely you must want Guinness with their cutesy ads or any other alcohol ads restricted to non-family viewing hours then, right? Isn't early addiction to alcohol not a more clear & present danger to your child than content in a game?


    If we can limit access to tobacco, alcohol, film, pornography, etc, with a Rating system or age restriction, then why can we not do the same for games?

    Well, i know I'm ranting and should wrap this up. You make valid points in your post and I cannot say I wholely disagree with any of them.

    I stand by my statement that it's a parent's job to parent, not a Government run or funded entity, and that Censorship in any form is just unacceptable, IMHO.


    BTW, you're the first to comment on the movie connection of my UserName. I guess we are old. heheh

  • mikeyg756

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 2:27 pm PT

    FFS! it will be some snobby faced rats in the BBFC thats didn't let this game release, i mean who the hell are they protecting? they arn't protecting anyone, there just dissapointing people. They clearly are just being stubborn retards that probably want to ban every game, but they actually ban this game becuase of the freaks that murdered people and said they were copying manhunt 1 so they know they won't get it bad for banning this game. Well thats what i think anyway, the only people i can amagine banning a game which is said to be no worse than some horror films are humerless lifeless weirdo's that only like games like viva piniata "OOOh! yuck! bloods in this game i hate it,..ooh look in THIS game you get to water flowers WOW! this game gets a pass!"

  • DevilD2005

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 1:40 pm PT

    It is a shame that in the UK, they have heavier monitering of what is traded in the country. Personally, I hope this doesnt catch on with the rest of the world.

  • Ipwnn00bs87

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 10:50 am PT

    well i'm mad cause it got pushed back further now...but hey i'm at least glad that i would get the game here in north america. But its really unfortunate that the United Kingdom still wont accept.

  • Hicks_1

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 6:36 am PT

    I know why there is a descrepentcy in the ratings world. Movies can show the raters how they made the gruesome scenes, "Look its only Catsup, not real blood" while video game developers can only show bits of code, it's this disassocation and some bribe money that makes video games always in the sights of the ratings board. It's a cruel world we live in.

  • xyboink

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 5:49 am PT

    "losers". They are scared of that funny game. I liked the movies but in Belgium (i live there) it is uncertain of Manhunt 2 will be available. (read blog)

  • jaymib

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 4:31 am PT

    What a load of rubbish. someone need to tell BBFC off. There lets violence films like saw 3 out, but o no, we can't let a game out. thats it, i'll still be playing this game at the end of the day as i will just get it from another European country is is letting the game come out, so up yours BBFC!!!

  • oranday

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 6:01 pm PT

    I hope all the fuzz about this game doesn't affect its release back here in good ole Mexico, but then again, since it's no longer banned in the States, i bet it'll make it to these shores...

    By the way, I hope they release a double pack including the first game and this one, I've been looking for it for months. I can't even find it in the States.

  • XXRandom-HeroXX

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 4:04 pm PT

    Our worst nightmare has come true, the govornment are launching a study into violent games, look for yourselves.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7034179.stm

    As for not being rated, That would leave them open to Being Sued by anyone, people would say, "My 2 year old kid played manhunt and he killed someone Yet the box says nothing about violence"

  • emgesp

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 3:56 pm PT

    When could too much fake violence in a game earn itself an A rating? We have already seen decapitations, stabbing in the eyes, throat, crotch, etc... I mean is it really any gorier than Soldier of Fortune ll?

  • shinjuki

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 3:35 pm PT

    Anyone know if it is possible for a game to come out and just go "unrated" like what they do with movies? They just put them out on DVD dont bother to get them rated by whoever rates movies, and call it an unrated edition. That way it's like a "buy at your own risk" type thing, bypassing the ESRB, or BBFC.

  • x-2tha-z

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 2:55 pm PT

    @lil_d_mack.........Manhunt 2 is going through this because of the first Manhunt. It has been blamed for a few murders here in the UK. Quite a lot of negative press has surrounded the first Manhunt since it came out.

    I think the BBFC is scared of public opinion if the second one is released. I also think that's what the government meant when they responded to the online petition.

    This is how our government deals with major problems like murder. They don't get to the root of the problem, they just go the easy route that grabs the most headlines......VIOLENT GAME BANNED........

  • gta11

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 1:56 pm PT

    I agree with Jackanderson

  • lil_d_mack_314

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 1:53 pm PT

    wow these people are just nit picking now...how the hell was the 1st one released with out all this? some plz tell me...i under stand that some consols done except AO rated games but come on this is getting stupid. just slap a M on the front and call it a day. its still coming out in america rite?

  • killerspawn

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 1:03 pm PT

    It is truly stupid that they won release the game till even more get edited but is also funny because if you look at some of the movies that are out id say a hell of a lot of killing torture but yet the movies seem to allways get realeased uncut.director cut...................Just approve the game allready

  • jackanderson

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 12:17 pm PT

    OK, so how about we change the game a bit. There are two ways. 1] Change nothing except the object which is to kill the BBFC. Or 2] Make it "Super Happy Kill No-one Game." I know which I prefer.

  • gbrading Site moderator

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 11:47 am PT

    I was a staunch supporter of the BBFC, but even I fail to understand why it is still unrated when the ESRB passed it with a M rating. Do they have higher moral and ethical standards than the US? We shall see...

  • DarthPanama3

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 11:44 am PT

    Hate the ratings system sometimes Rockstar likes to push it to limit of gameplay b/c obviously people like games like that. Manhunt 2 AO should be released despite what the ratings people say screw them. Only good news now is that the release date is pushed back two days early. Hate people tellin us gamers what we can and cant play b/c of the violence

  • Poshkidney

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 11:37 am PT

    rockstar keep appealing you put all that effort in a horror game so you should go till you can get it on shelves

  • gotrekfabian

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 10:25 am PT

    I think that it is obvious noone on this panel of critics plays computer games. Isn't it about time that they had an internal investigation into the workings of the BBFC? Has this ever been done before? 'Course not, this kind of thing would never happen otherwise.

  • CowMan07

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 8:41 am PT

    hahaha poor rockstar... cant they just let them release that game?!?! im sure resident evil is worse than manhunt!

  • PS360Fanboy

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 8:09 am PT

    WTF!

  • chico129

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 7:49 am PT

    Oh come on, this is just pathetic, in America it gets an M. not an adult rating, an M.... And over here they will refuse to even rate the game? Come on, if it is safe for 17+ over there surely they could give it an 18+ or something!

  • Montague

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 7:25 am PT

    ESRB and BBFC are the modern day Nazi's. This is the new form of Book Burning!

  • the_sorrow_MGS_

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 7:05 am PT

    I am not a big fan of the Manhunt games but I completely agree with Rockstar, the game is no worse than some films. There are different games for different age groups, I think the BBFC just want games like Viva pinata on the market.

  • Lilac_Benjie

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 7:02 am PT

    I live in the UK but I own an NTSC Wii. It's just a matter of importing the US version of the game.

    Oh yeah, and SSBB in 2007 instead of 2008.

  • mcbride69

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 6:55 am PT

    You go rockstar!!

  • Brother_Boney posted Oct 9, 2007 6:53 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    Brother_Boney

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 6:53 am PT (hide)

    What about the rest of Europe??? Who cares about UK, they always whine there. I still want a PAL-release before xmas!!!

  • Pazy160

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 6:43 am PT

    Adults dont need molly coddlled. Give me back my right to choose what I want to do and see!

  • Hyaku68

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 6:12 am PT

    Why can't games just get a movie type rating on the box, would make everyones life alittle easier. Then cut out all this ban buisness.

    U
    PG
    12(a)
    15
    18

  • SapSacPrime

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 6:04 am PT

    Britain is being far too nannyed in recent years, this game (like many things are we having the choice taken out of our hands about) is a matter of social responsility and I am sure we can make our own descisions where media is concerned. If we are banning things that may cause violence I move for the outlawing of religion....

  • tomgowen

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 5:56 am PT

    The UK has very different attitudes about media content. If instead of killing you victims, you simply violently fornicated with them, odds are good this situation would be reversed.

  • phoenixzero7

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 5:56 am PT

    Once again we're being told what we can and can't watch / read / play. This decision by the bbfc is incredibly nonsensical, and confirms my suspisions that we are heading to a time when we as a community should be vocal about what we stand for. If any regulatory commision, government or not, had tried to ban a recent piece of modern art then the country would be up in arms, but as its just a childish game it doesn't matter.

    Anyone read V for Vendetta? Anyone notice things getting unnervingly close to the world portrayed in that?

  • Guru-Nator

    Posted Oct 9, 2007 5:54 am PT

    Movie raters do their jobs well. Game raters are f**king retards. Just look at what's happening to Germany; it's going totally downhill because of 50 year old tards who think that they're making people crazy just becuase they weren't around in their day.

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