Target pulls Manhunt 2 from shelves?

  • By Polybren, GameSpot
  • Posted Nov 6, 2007 4:36 pm PT

Source: A post on Evil Avatar stating that the poster's friend, a store-level Target employee, disclosed information about an internal memo saying the chain was to stop selling Take-Two Interactive's controversial action horror game. What we heard: The Evil Avatar post about Target yanking Manhunt...

Source: A post on Evil Avatar stating that the poster's friend, a store-level Target employee, disclosed information about an internal memo saying the chain was to stop selling Take-Two Interactive's controversial action horror game.

What we heard: The Evil Avatar post about Target yanking Manhunt 2 made the rounds on a variety of sites, which generally repeated the blurb with a warning that it was little more than an unconfirmed rumor. On the surface, the skepticism with which the information was rereported seems warranted.

Retail employees are notorious spawning pools for bogus rumors, and the idea of Target pulling Manhunt 2 from its shelves a week after release made little sense. There was plenty of hype and public outcry about the game's violence and initial AO for Adults Only rating before Manhunt 2 came close to release, so having the retailer pull it pleading ignorance isn't really acceptable.

The surfacing of a hack for the PlayStation Portable edition of the game within hours of Manunt 2's official Halloween release could spur such a move, but the ESRB was quick to reconfirm the game's M for Mature rating. It also would be unusual to pull all versions of the game from store shelves, but to continue selling the only readily hackable version on the store's Web site, as Target was doing yesterday.

That said, it might have just taken some time for the memo to circulate. As of this afternoon, Manhunt 2 for the PSP was no longer listed on the chain's online store. Today, a rep for the retailer contacted GameSpot with the following statement:

The official story: "Target strives to provide merchandise that will appeal to a wide variety of guests. We also want guests to be comfortable with the purchasing decisions they make at Target. All video games and computer software sold at Target currently carry ratings by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)--from early childhood through mature audiences. While Manhunt 2 was given a Mature rating by the ERSB, we received additional information that players can potentially view previously filtered content by altering the game code. As a result, we have decided not to carry the game."

Bogus or not bogus?: Not bogus.

247 Comments

  • delorean529

    Posted Apr 1, 2008 6:22 am PT

    I didn't expect this kind of um... from target! It's hackable, so what? Everyone's gonna hack it so they can see all the gore /sarcasm. There are some good people out there that wont hack the game. Target has really dissapointed me this time. They are losing a ton of money!

  • NearlyPrescient

    Posted Dec 12, 2007 2:00 pm PT

    bums.

  • Sodium_Free

    Posted Dec 9, 2007 10:26 am PT

    lets mod microsoft excel so that ever time you go to a new cell it kills a kitten. will they ban it?

  • prince_gohan11

    Posted Nov 28, 2007 7:15 pm PT

    "CodeBlue2003 I'm all for shooter games, I'm all for real time strategy games that have hundreds upon hundreds of digital enemies dying, and I'm all for horror action games.

    But these games that are designed simply to "quench the thirst" of people who feel it necessary to kill targets as brutally as possible should really call into question the mental health of these individuals.

    I see posts on here writing about protest letters, and complaining that Jack Thompson somehow got to them. Have any of you ever stopped to think maybe that games like this are actually unnecessary, even in an entertainment sense?

    Sure, I'm a fan of Grand Theft Auto, but not because of the killing aspect involved in it, but because it grants me a freedom to do anything I want. I have never found it entertaining to go around and just go on a killing spree in GTA. I've never played a round of Company of Heroes and mindlessly marched my units into a guaranteed gruesome death. Does anyone else see an issue with mindless death in video games? It's not the issue of violence or death, it's the issue of the symbolism involved with said death. Did this character die because I'm playing a psychopath? Did this character die because he's a terrorist and I'm a stealth agent attempting to save the world? Did this character die because I'm fighting an alien onslaught? Stop and think for a minute if games like Manhunt are actually worth fighting for."

    Totally respectable. Your really on point. But its not just Manhunt, or the killing that has us protesting. Its really just unfair to see the toll video games are taking because of how they are.

    Your reference to GTA for instance. Gamers only do those things because they DO have a freedom to do whatever they want. Why can't we? If it's in the game, why not do it?

    Manhunt isn't just a game for some of us. Its prime example of how unfair it is towards our kind of media. Just like the big music censcorship thing. Don't water down our stuff. It's not they're right.

    On topic. Target is just taking the easy way out. They basically just did it because, " Parents won't buy it if its not there." In a way, it works. Gosh, Manhunt isnt there for a parent to buy and give to their child. Then again. "Where is Manhunt? Im 17!"

  • Ghetto_ninja

    Posted Nov 26, 2007 1:30 pm PT

    So i can buy uncensored music at Target but not Manhunt. And i can buy censored music but also i can buy Manhunt at Wal-Mart. And if a kid is smart enough to alter the code to a game to see uncensored material then he is probably smart enough to distinguish it from real life and not do it in real life.

  • EvilDarkGon

    Posted Nov 23, 2007 3:57 am PT

    I used to work for Target. They're a corrupt and fascist regime. Regardless of the fact that Manhunt 2 is a bunch of garbage.

  • gears6180

    Posted Nov 20, 2007 1:01 pm PT

    Funny i just bought the psp version of manhunt 2 from target about ten minutes ago

  • WalkerLawerence

    Posted Nov 20, 2007 12:38 pm PT

    Meh. Target sucks anyways. The minute Best Buy pulls this crap, I'm getting my pitchfork.

  • manson66614

    Posted Nov 18, 2007 10:01 am PT

    dudes its not the first time targets done something like this. Not that i supourt there desicion but comon we cant all be this suprised.

  • Wimmetjeh

    Posted Nov 18, 2007 1:34 am PT

    If i'm not mistaking.. you can only alter the code with a ripped version of the game.. so they stopped selling the game for no good reason.... (-_-' )

  • DJTurbo

    Posted Nov 16, 2007 3:01 am PT

    ridicolous, if I am >18 years old and i know what's inside a game (or a movie, or anything else), because it's made clear on the cover and back of the case, i have the free will to buy or not buy something according to my ideas, this way, Target is deciding for users, like a sort of "big daddy" protecting his little boys (or sisters, hehe).

  • DJTurbo

    Posted Nov 16, 2007 3:01 am PT

    ridicolous, if I am >18 years old and i know what's inside a game (or a movie, or anything else), because it's made clear on the cover and back of the case, i have the free will to buy or not buy something according to my ideas, this way, Target is deciding for users, like a sort of "big daddy" protecting his little boys (or sisters, hehe).

  • TehUndeadHorror

    Posted Nov 16, 2007 2:43 am PT

    Arn't they just going to lose money...?

  • Gamedrain

    Posted Nov 15, 2007 4:00 pm PT

    Where do we draw the line on violent games? Many here think there shouldn't be one, but if we want to avoid govt. regulation, then we have to regulate ourselves don't we? It's Target's decision to pull it from shelves, and frankly, I support their choice, personally, I don't want to be around people who enjoy nothing better than senseless killing. So go ahead, disembowl me with your pointy pointy words.

  • celark

    Posted Nov 15, 2007 9:04 am PT

    this is ridiculous

  • Smugz

    Posted Nov 15, 2007 7:40 am PT

    Wow I can't believe this. I don't even like this type of game, but the idea that they would do this is just stupid. I mean, how can they do this when there are tons of other things there that could be somehat as bad? And it's not like the game didn't have a rating. And yeah, you could use a hack, but still. That's for anything. I could buy something normal from target and make it totally DistorteD. Would they then stop selling that too because it has the potential to cause the wrong idea. lol That'd be pretty funny if you did that lamprey. I wonder what they'd say then. There's a hack for everything and anyone can do something with any type of software, so to take it off shelves because of that isn't a good reason.... You know... it's kind of like if a store stopped selling photoshop or some 3D animation tool because of the possibility of making pornographic images with them.

  • topaz_flare

    Posted Nov 15, 2007 5:58 am PT

    I bet if another school massacre happens they're gunna blame the game for it >.>

  • DeViLzzz

    Posted Nov 14, 2007 9:00 pm PT

    I don't care about rating systems that allow for loop holes and this is what went on here and when you have a series like Manhunt where you are disturbed less than a minute in when playing the game well I am thrilled it is off the shelves .... that whole series is disturbing and disgusting .. thankyou Target for dumping it

  • oldvidplayer

    Posted Nov 13, 2007 7:21 pm PT

    You know even if manhunt 2 has AO rating,True retailers won't sell it but Fry's probably will sell it I noticed they sell adult movies It's been almost 3yrs since I been to Fry's I don't know if they still sell adult movies! I believe rockstar still can make money selling it online. Online stores still makes a very good profit just like brick and motar stores. major online DVD stores that sells regular and adult movies they will also sell manhunt 2 with AO rating some of them do sell videogames besides DVD movies. like dvdempire.com deepdiscount.com ect..

  • gangsterjc

    Posted Nov 13, 2007 4:56 pm PT

    yayy target is gay anyways EB Games is the way to go!

  • ultimatesamuri

    Posted Nov 12, 2007 6:23 pm PT

    i work at target and i think it is bs that they pulled it from the shelves. also, if you keep pressing the button you get service quicker at target...hint hint. and we normally have nintendo wiis in stock when everyone else sells out of them. people just dont frequent our chain much, please keep it that way

  • fienno123

    Posted Nov 12, 2007 1:38 pm PT

    okay so games get banned and movies like saw 4 dont? im missing something here

  • Aizou

    Posted Nov 12, 2007 10:42 am PT

    Okay... on one hand they say "Target strives to provide merchandise that will appeal to a wide variety of guests. We also want guests to be comfortable with the purchasing decisions they make at Target." yet on the other they turn around and decide for you what you should want to buy... that makes absolutely no sense. Eh, Target's loss.

  • flash786

    Posted Nov 12, 2007 7:08 am PT

    m totally speechless dunnno wat to say

  • MasonKnightHawk

    Posted Nov 11, 2007 9:38 pm PT

    As I read through the comments already posted It makes me wonder what I am seeing more of - a complaint about a department store who has made a decission about what to sell or not sell, or a group of the gaming population that has other issues than whether or not a store sells a game they may or may not play. Most of the people who have posted to this string ( I say most because I stoped reading after page three because almost all the post were identical) have missed the point to what is going on. Target is not trying to say whether or not Manhunt 2 is to violent for the public to play or not. In fact, the comment from the company had nothing to do with the rating of the product or the amount of violence found in the product. What they are doing is making a choice to not sell something the corporation feels could come back to bite them in the butt. This would not have been a concern if not for Rockstar messing up Grand Theft Auto the way the did and the repercusions to that. If you have an issue about the agrument of violence in games or not - this is not the case to use to make your point. This is not about the violence. Also I would like to make a coment to the person the said Jesus wanted this game. It is obviouse you have not thought through your comment. You have said it just to get a rise out of people. It is clear in the bible that Jesus says that what we put in us will effect what comes out of us. "but what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the ehart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander." Matthew 15:18-19. It is true that what we are exposed to will effect us, whether a little or a lot. We are products of what we alow ourselves to see and hear and play. Before anyone makes the claim I am telling you not play this game, that is not what I am saying. I am saying that we need to be careful about what we do - we need to guard our eyes, ears and heart, or else it can effect the way are. Dont believe me? Take a media fast (this mean no media at all) for a week and see howmany things jump out at you that never did before.

  • demental81

    Posted Nov 11, 2007 2:52 pm PT

    f u c k
    jack thompson

    -demental-

  • Kbs64

    Posted Nov 11, 2007 12:05 pm PT

    This is crazy and interesting and funny and weird....lol Oh well, I could care less.

  • Kbs64

    Posted Nov 11, 2007 12:04 pm PT

    This is totally, I don't know, funny I think...haha

  • bksras17

    Posted Nov 10, 2007 5:28 pm PT

    ok, isn' the whole rating system supposed to be so that media not intended for children isn't sold to them, and media for children is correctly labeled, etc, so everyone involved is legally protected somehow, and the sellers aren't to blame, etc...so the problem is that the people purchasing the game are not being responsible enough around children...maybe parents should excersice their parental control and responsiblity, and watch what's being fed into their kids minds, instead of looking for someone else to take the blame...READ THE LABELS!!! As for Target deciding not to sell the game, so be it, i guess they want to lose business, waste money, etc, whether it really matters to them or not, and people can go purchase the game elsewhere!!

  • raghraghragh

    Posted Nov 10, 2007 7:13 am PT

    Stupid. Utterly stupid.

  • adz987

    Posted Nov 10, 2007 3:15 am PT

    i am really dissapointed in Target, just because it's a really horrific game doesnt mean it should stopped being sold, i mean it defies the bottom rule of a shop "if it sells well, sell it". I mean you dont go into a gun store and get them to take down their shotguns becuase they're too vicious. LETS GO MANHUNT AND ROCKSTAR!

  • RoastDank

    Posted Nov 9, 2007 9:52 pm PT

    First, I believe in free speech more than any other American ideal. I think that every game made should be allowed to be purchased and played. Games like Night Trap, and Primal Rage were some of the first that I remember causing such a controversy and when I was younger I was outraged that stores got away with pulling them. Do I agree with Target pulling Manhunt 2? No, not in any way shape or form, but for all of you people who are complaining about freedom of speech and principles, you're all being hypocritical. Yes, Take-Two should have every right to make as gruesome a game as they want, and as a fan of such games I hope they continue to, but Target also has the right to say that they don't want to sell such a game. There is NO LAW that says you can't make a game like Manhunt 2, but there also is NO LAW that says because such a game exists you have to sell it. So before you all go riding your righteous horse into battle think about what you're really fighting for. PS-if anyone wants to say anything about Target making it impossible to get such games, that's what the internet is for, believe me if enough people buy the game, someone will sell it.

  • callumohare

    Posted Nov 9, 2007 9:32 pm PT

    "Lets go to Target to buy Manhunt 2!"
    "Shure!"
    *Goes*
    "Sorry sir... we dont carry it cause of custom firmware hacks to make it AO. We think its too violent foe you little kids to play."
    "Im 42..."
    "Oh! well still. Custom firwares mang!"
    "If i had a custom firmware, Why the hell would i just download it instead of being in your store!?"
    ""
    "Good for you. Im going to EBGames. Peace"

    ...Honestly

  • 98scoutgandia

    Posted Nov 9, 2007 1:03 pm PT

    ERSB )

  • ghsacidman

    Posted Nov 9, 2007 11:12 am PT

    Welcome to the 21st century, nerds can crack into anything. The sims can be "altered" to show nudity, something that wasn't the intention of the developer, but will target stop selling it? No, the sims make them too much money. Target "recieved information"... From who, and how the hell is that credible... What does it matter anyway, who the hell shops at target? Lame, super lame. It's like everyone is drinking crazy juice...

  • da_chub

    Posted Nov 9, 2007 6:40 am PT

    Maybe they will pull all the "Saw" movies and anything else violent off the shelves.....In another 4-5 years, nerf guns will probably be to violent for kids to have.

  • Dancito13

    Posted Nov 8, 2007 8:30 pm PT

    Is this game real good?

  • NesAbadox

    Posted Nov 8, 2007 7:43 pm PT

    First of all I would like to say Walmart FTW "Allways". I was able to get this game at exactly midnight on the day of the release and what an awsome game! thankyou walmart for making my holloween day!! with your everyday guaranteed low prices and selections I can rely on

  • rouge-ninja14

    Posted Nov 8, 2007 5:11 pm PT

    When will it end. I can't come on GS without seeing someone complaning about manhunt 2. Its a GAME people.

  • HaloCovenant911

    Posted Nov 8, 2007 5:06 pm PT

    THATS TOTAL BULL!
    if u dont want ur kids playin this stuff then dont buy them this!
    frickin soccer moms bein all stuborn.
    u need id at target to buy Rated M games so the kids cant possibly get these games without an adult saying yes. stop trying to blame bad parenting on games!

  • HaloCovenant911

    Posted Nov 8, 2007 5:01 pm PT

    thats bull!
    and its not like its wrong to sell manhunt 2!
    if u dont want ur kids to play manhunt then dont buy it for them!
    stupid soccer moms all bein stubborn.

  • xgizmox80x

    Posted Nov 8, 2007 4:08 pm PT

    yea this is crazy...i work at target n we got a pallet of these games in on the truck a few days ago...and to my horror i was told i had 2 sign them bak out n tiket them as dameged...and then they were gone...just....gone

  • haloharvey300

    Posted Nov 8, 2007 2:45 pm PT

    this is going to cause major problems inside game retailers. although i doubt stores like gamestop and bestbuy will do such a thing, if target does this once, there's no saying what theyll do next, or if others will follow suit. what target is doing is completely ridiculous and can be argued as violating the constitution's first ammendment. A game has the right to be posted, no matter what the rating. there is no law against M or AO, but Target is limiting the free speech and distribution of videogames. I can only hope that the ECA (electronic consumers association) steps up to this. until that happens, screw target, ill just go to walmart...

  • Chris_555_TK

    Posted Nov 8, 2007 2:35 pm PT

    Thank you Target for deciding what's best for me and others since, you know, we can't be trusted to make our own decisions! You have done us all a great service from taking away our freedom of choice!

  • DFTricks

    Posted Nov 8, 2007 1:37 pm PT

    Simply stupid!

  • SevenSamuraiX

    Posted Nov 8, 2007 1:06 pm PT

    All I can Say Is Rock On Manhunt 2 ! Great Game !

  • OMIGHTYGUY

    Posted Nov 8, 2007 12:48 pm PT

    Whatever. I don't really care. I can't buy M rated games yet (w/out my parents) so it doesn't affect me.
    PS: If I don't know you and you come to my house = you in the hospital with a knife in your body. Maybe.

  • valcrist09

    Posted Nov 8, 2007 12:09 pm PT

    The Game isnt even that BAD good god....

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