Manhunt 2 receives AO rating

why an AO rating? I t won't sell as good as it would with a M rating:( Also I probably won't be able to get it.

Well ManHunt 2 is a game that lets people find creative ways of killing other people and actually perform those actions via the Wii-mote. I agree with an AO rating on this game, but I don't agree with the limitation it's going to have. If this game was to feature porn, than yes the limitation would be a good idea, but if all it has is violence than I don't think a limitation is fair.

The ESRB isn't likely to be swayed by media watchdog groups. Bully alone should be proof of this. Hopefully the game really does push the envelop too much that it deserved an AO rating and its not just because of pressuring by the censors in disguise.

thats stupid thay just dont whant the game to sell so they give it a AO rating. its a conspecey to get rid of vilent games

I do understand that video games have to have ESRB rating because it does help parents see what their kids are doing. What I don't understand is why people hate it. If we didn't have it, then we, the gamers that love our games so much, would be back to the same problem, politics, parents suing gaming industries, and so on. Parents have need to know what games a five year old would play... if they didn't, society would be mess in politics, more crackpot theories, and so on again. But here is the mix up. ESRB don't give games AO if they are very, very sexual... not violence. Manhunt 2 people should have a right to complain because this will really affect their sales. The only way to sell back to M Rated would be editing the game... Sigh, I love controversial games...

i think its rediculous that most stores wont sell AO rated games when the average gamer is 30!

I might get flamed for this but... I'm glad to see some games get AO if they deserve it. *puts up flame shield*

They should make a JT minigame...

This is ridiculous when you take into account the hundreds of movies made in the 1980's (just using one decade almost 30 years ago as an example) that were just as gory if not more, I mean come on, i don't even like Manhunt games and i think this is stupid. How many horror movies like Texas Chainsaw Massacre are getting Pg-13 ratings and they're not worse than manhunt. Its peoples reactions to the game that shock them because they don't play games, and they think its only childs toys. Just absolutely ridiculous when you compare them to all the movies coming out.

No offense, but some comments from people in the UK are idiotic. I'm sure everyone there is not this stupid. There are a fair share of them in the US, too. There is a difference between a BAN(UK & Ireland) and an AO rating(US). You can easily buy it in stores that carry AO. Wal-mart doesn't, but many do.Fry's Electronics and loads of regional game stores carry them.

Could Jack Thompson be involved in this? Probably so. It would make a lot of sense you know.

The Manhunt games are horrid, so its easy to say there is little redeeming value to consider such trash art. T2 would probably do just as better with Online sales as AO than retail with M. As for this: "" Earlier today, Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood demanded that the ESRB give Manhunt 2 an AO rating, saying that "harmful effects of ultra-violent video games on children will be magnified by playing them on the interactive Nintendo Wii system." "" Just goes to show people just don't get it. Kids are not the only people that play video games. Not to mention, any kid that can play Manhunt without their parents noticing are obviously in more danger of the parenting than the violence.

Here we go again. There's only one year difference between M and AO.

Hmm... the most violent game ever created on Wii?!! It's gonna be tough to ever call it a kiddy system again.

NO!!!! I really hope they change the rating. I've already preordered it. I want to play it for the Wii so bad.

An exclusive AO rated version could be available to purchase online. That way Take Two could make more off those sales by cutting out the middle man and still have the "Director's Cut" of their game. It's been done before since a direct market game doesn't need to be rated by the ESRB. My guess, this was all planned and meant to get headlines. They purposely made an over-the-top build for the ESRB to get it the AO rating and generate buzz. They will then submit the real version for the expected M rating. Either way I like the series and no minor should see, let alone play, this game.

Peaches1347 wow i wanted to play (15yrs old) this but it looks like i'm gonna have to get my bro in-law to get it for me on my wii. I think this is the first AO game i've ever seen in my life time... ---------- Heh, if that doesn't sum up the entire reason they're going through this BS, I don't know what does. I could care less about the ratings, my thing is like people have said, if it's AO, make it available to us adults. Why do I have to try and scour the Earth for something because parents can't take responsibility and watch their kids these days? Though I wasn't really interested in the game in the first place, but it's the principle of it. My mom stopped me from playing Primal Rage and the first Mortal Kombat when they came out, she was a real parent.

When something like this happens, it sells well. San Andreas, anyone?

Big deal. Now you have to be a whole year older to buy this game. Seriously, the gap is so vast! In a way, this shows how stubborn these people are. They think giving it a higher rating will stop people from playing it. I do agree it'd be very inappropriate for a child to be giving lethal injections and sawing of body parts (especially with the Wii), I hate when these parents get together and start forcing their methods on everyone. If you are against the game, it's as easy as NOT BUYING IT! Why should others have to suffer. Although, like I stated earlier, it's only a one-year age difference from M.

Has anyone ever heard of a movie rated X for violence? i know i can't think of any. Also how come stores can sell unrated movies but not unrated games? something seems off here? or is it just me *shrugs*

I am still mad at this, early I posted a comment and it was deleted and I got Modded for it so what, I am still mad at this, I mean yes I am of age to buy this game with a AO rating but do you know how many retailer sell AO rated games not a lot. Peace Out

I totally agree with the rating. Lets face it, there really isn't much of a plot like there is in GTA or Gears of War (besides go out an murder people for whatever reason), and there's no competition like there is in Halo or Counter-Strike. You are just sitting alone in front of your TV finding creative ways to kill people, and I don't know about you, but I think thats kind of sick. The AO rating keeps it out of the hands of kids - I dont know about you guys but in my area WalMart is the only retailer that checks ID for games. If you are of the appropriate age, there is nothing stopping you from picking this up on the internet, even if retail stores aren't stocking it. Thats like saying because WalMart doesn't carry porn, there is no way for me to get it. And for all you people going on about how this is a violation of freedom of expression, you're idiots. AO doesn't mean stores can't carry it, most stores CHOOSE not to carry it. Are you going to infringe on the store's freedom's by forcing them to stock the game? You can still buy the stupid game, its just not in stores. I can promise you there will be a ton of places on the internet that carry it.

I'd say it's high time for a company to start selling AO rated games some way or another REGARDLESS of whether current retailers aren't willing to sell them. That's why the internet is available.

Should we even argue the point of AO Vs M? This distinction is not much of one. How different is a mature gamer from an adults only gamer? I thought that AO was for sexually explicit software and M for all the rest. Is that wrong? Since when is being Mature not enough to play a violent game? I am a not-so-young anymore gamer who has never committed a violent act in my life and there are plenty like me. I know of no one who has committed violence because of playing games. Just because I have to pretend to stab does not mean I will start stabbing humans. Games do not kill people...People kill people!!

O.o When I saw the headline I was thinking... JT ATTACK! Not coming out on PS3? O.o

Banning a game? Fascist to me. a AO = kids have difficulty getting it. Sales would drop. I'm all for violence, most games don't have enough; play a WWII game w/o blood, see the fun & thrills of war, rather than Horror. "War is hell"? Not if it's on a game. Just what moron parents & politicians aim to teach kids. If I wanted a game as a kid, I just went & rented it or bought it no permission, only once was I stopped by an employee, & I just went elsewhere. An AO rating would likely mean you need to order it through the net or a non-"Major" retailer that would let you. Means no exposure outside the net & magazines, & likely no revenue from rentals, as most rental places wouldn't carry it. Just an insane double standard between what's violent on the silver screen, and what's too violent in a game. PG-13 = M, R = AO, ESRB = BS.

Come on Rockstar. Its' an opertunity to make history. A game with a AO rating that still sells in the millions would be groundbraking.

oh noes :cry:

You know, I actually think that this may increase sales. Sure, minors can't get, but just think about it. If a game has a lot of controversy, then people will pay more attention to it. This will also bring more hype, and then more people will want to buy the game just for the hell of it.

manhunt 1 wasnt really that fun to me, just kinda silly violent in alot of ways. it wasnt clever, just gratuitous which i guess was the point but im just beyond that type of game these days (similar to state of emergency). in the first one your character was the "violent" type, in the second he is the nerdy pacifist type that is forced to kill "violently", which is a more clever concept but its still the same game underneath that sugar coated poo.

I have no problem with the AO rating and I think it is about time that the ESRB grew a pair and actually used it. Who cares if the manufacturer is pissed about it limiting its retail sales...if a game deserves that rating then it needs to be used.

Unless this game has sex in it, I don't see how this can get an AO rating. None of the consoles it is coming out on has any decent graphic capabilities as the next-gen consoles or the PC. Giving it an AO rating based on Sadism would actually be a form of discrimination if interpreted the right way. That would be like banning another game based on Christian or Jewish acts in it. That my friend is not right. Also if this gets an AO rating shouldn't RE4 get one too? Seeing how you are blowing heads off of zombies while acting it out. Also if the parents don't want their kids to have the game, just don't buy it for them. Yes, at age 17 they could buy the game, but at age 17 they should be able to tell the difference between reality and a game.

Sokkratez, this in no way is censorship. Please understand terms before you use them in slogans.

I agree with almost every1 here. This is bull. All it takes is either a parent who cares what they are letting their kids play, or just the cashier to say NO to a kid or a parent who is obviously buying the game for their 6-year old child. it doesn't take a PHD to tell that.

I find it hilarious that you can go in Wal-Mart or Target and buy crap made by Chinese child slave labor and all kinds of ultra violent movies. But they will not sell AO games or un-edited Music. What hypocrites.

My issue is less with them giving Manhunt the AO rating and more with retailers not carrying AO games.

Down with censorship.

If any games deserve an AO rating, it certainly would be this one. Being able to saw someone's genitals is definitely not M material.

Now, I have no problem with violence in games (games like God of War and RE4 are fine with me), but Rockstar was clearly going way overboard with Manhunt 2 in terms of the violence, and this is what happens when devs do that, and Rockstar probly deserves the rating for it too.

I think an AO rating is appropriate, and I also think there need to be some changes as to the sale of AO games. I think they should be sold over the counter instead of on shelves. That way, you have to show ID before the game is even made available to you.

You know, I really didn't think about it until it mentions the Wii. I forgot that you'd most likely have to make stabbing or garrote motions to pull off moves (and this is pure speculation). I guess that would take it a step further if you were actually making those motions instead of just hitting a button on the controller. I don't know if it deserves an AO rating though.

This is for anyone living in U.S. or i think even Canada. Fry's sells AO games at their stores. so if it comes down to it go to Fry's lol.

That is bullcrap, I rather buy the AO game than some water-down PG-13 crap, Why should I miss on such as awesome game just 'cuse some uptight old farts dont want theyre kids to get it. if a minor wants it that means he is already hooked on " violent " games which mean the parents already screwed up , so who's fault is it ???

Gotta wonder how many people here complaining about the AO rating are under 18...:roll:

wow i wanted to play (15yrs old) this but it looks like i'm gonna have to get my bro in-law to get it for me on my wii. I think this is the first AO game i've ever seen in my life time...

SELL. IT. ONLINE. I don't want edited crap.

take two should edit the game in order to come out with an M-rating version that will please the "old traditionalist" crowd a lil bit and at the same time still come out with AO version because this game now has enough controversy to sell with an AO rating and at the same time it will start killing off the "old traditionalists" to finally start freeing this world of the creative limitations that the old generation has created for us of the younger generation!!

I wonder if these people who condemn videogames realize that all they are doing is giving them free publicity?

I totally agree with the AO rating that was given to Manhunt 2. It would have been graphic enough the way it was, but adding the wii's interactive remote aspect to this game makes Manhunt 2 one of the most brutally realistic games ever. It is hard to bother and offend me, especially with videogames as I have been playing violent videogames for a good portion of my life. I have gotten used to seeing blood and gore, but nothing has prepared me for a game that allows the player to simulate the literal physical motions that a killer must make to murder his victim. I believe that giving this game an AO rating will make it so that only the game's target audience (adults) will only be able to play the game. It would truly be unfair if the ESRB prevented a game from being played by it's target audience but this is not the case. This is the type of game where the player should be a well-adjusted, mature individual before even attempting to play. Most people are ignorant and know nothing about videogames...especially this one. ESRB is doing it's job well by keeping this game away from impressionable kids. As for the more informed games out there who are old enough and who can handle the game, they will be able to get this game on Rockstars webstore.