It's official, Manhunt 2 rated AO

http://gamepolitics.com/2007/06/19/breaking-manhunt-2-rated-adults-only-by-esrb/

This just in from Take Two Interactive, publisher of the embattled Manhunt 2: The ESRB has issued an initial rating of AO (Adults Only) for Manhunt 2.

Rockstar's response

"We believe the process of rating videogames is to help people make informed entertainment choices and not to limit them.Manhunt 2 was created for mature audiences and we strongly believe it should receive an M (Mature) rating, aligning it with similar content created in other forms of media. We are exploring our options with regard to the rating of Manhunt 2."

For a video game publisher, the economic impact of an AO rating cannot be overstated. It means that major retailers like Wal-mart, which by itself accounts for about 25% ofretail games sales, will not carry Manhunt 2. There is an appeal process available to game pubilshers who wish to dispute rating assignments.

Oh well, looks like Manhunt 2 is pretty much dead in it's current form, I guess they'll have no choice but to make drastic cuts to the game if they want to sell any copies

are AO games even allowed in some stores?Kurrupt07

They're allowed everywhere, but there's a stigma against carrying them. It'd be like carrying pornography.

Makes calling the Wii kiddy a little more difficult.Bansheesdie

you think?@!

this game is going to have hard time selling since not alot of stores even carry adult rated games.

Makes calling the Wii kiddy a little more difficult.Bansheesdie

I don't think 1 third party multiplatform game is going to change the Wii's kiddy image that much.

http://gamepolitics.com/2007/06/19/breaking-manhunt-2-rated-adults-only-by-esrb/

This just in from Take Two Interactive, publisher of the embattled Manhunt 2: The ESRB has issued an initial rating of AO (Adults Only) for Manhunt 2.

"We believe the process of rating videogames is to help people make informed entertainment choices and not to limit them.Manhunt 2 was created for mature audiences and we strongly believe it should receive an M (Mature) rating, aligning it with similar content created in other forms of media. We are exploring our options with regard to the rating of Manhunt 2."

For a video game publisher, the economic impact of an AO rating cannot be overstated. It means that major retailers like Wal-mart, which by itself accounts for about 25% ofretail games sales, will not carry Manhunt 2. There is an appeal process available to game pubilshers who wish to dispute rating assignments.

Oh well, looks like Manhunt 2 is pretty much dead in it's current form, I guess they'll have no choice but to make drastic cuts to the game if they want to sell any copies

NickJayD

someone should tell the ESRB.

http://www.esrb.org/index-js.jsp

are AO games even allowed in some stores?Kurrupt07

no

but this isn't on the ESRB's website, so I'm doubting this is official.

i hope they just keep it.

are AO games even allowed in some stores?Kurrupt07

their legally allowed, but many refuse to see them.

[QUOTE="Bansheesdie"]Makes calling the Wii kiddy a little more difficult.Not-A-Stalker

I don't think 1 third party multiplatform game is going to change the Wii's kiddy image that much.

Even an AO rated game? Even though the Wii is the first next-gen platform to to have one?

Most likely, this means an 11th-hour delay of at least a few months to tone down some of the most gruesome elements. Like Wiimote castration so it can be sold in UK, Ireland ect and will get a M rating in USA

I see no other options if they don't want this game to bomb in sales.

What makes Manhunt 2 different from say Gears of War in terms of content?

In Gears there is a LOT of swearing. In Gears there is a LOT of blood and gore. So what makes Manhunt 2 different? Just the way its presented, or is it something else?

[QUOTE="Bansheesdie"]Makes calling the Wii kiddy a little more difficult.Not-A-Stalker

I don't think 1 third party multiplatform game is going to change the Wii's kiddy image that much.

What makes Manhunt 2 different from say Gears of War in terms of content?

In Gears there is a LOT of swearing. In Gears there is a LOT of blood and gore. So what makes Manhunt 2 different? Just the way its presented, or is it something else?

Bansheesdie

Are you joking? Manhunt 2 is a realisitc violent game of the cruelest nature. Gears of WAr is a Fantasy shooter.

[QUOTE="Not-A-Stalker"]

[QUOTE="Bansheesdie"]Makes calling the Wii kiddy a little more difficult.Eltroz

I don't think 1 third party multiplatform game is going to change the Wii's kiddy image that much.

You're missing the point. Most Wii owners would buy Cooking Mama over Manhunt 2. Release the same game on 360 and it will be the opposite. Kapeesh?

[QUOTE="Not-A-Stalker"]

[QUOTE="Bansheesdie"]Makes calling the Wii kiddy a little more difficult.Bansheesdie

I don't think 1 third party multiplatform game is going to change the Wii's kiddy image that much.

Even an AO rated game? Even though the Wii is the first next-gen platform to to have one?

I remember hearing that rockstar released manhunt 2 on the Wii specifically to raise more eyebrows. So, I think they chose the Wii because it has a kiddy image. Rockstar loves to make a statement.

Nintendo probably paid ESRB to do this so everyone would stop calling them kiddyTheDarkDisciple

Are you joking? Manhunt 2 is a realisitc violent game of the cruelest nature. Gears of WAr is a Fantasy shooter.Riviera_Phantom

It was the content I was speaking of. What makes Manhunt 2 different?

In Gears if you connect a headshot with a sniper then you not only blow their head off, you explode their head. Brain, skull, and blood spray everywhere. When you hit someone with a shotgun, they explode, and to make it even better, you can see their insides. Ribs sticking out of their corpse, heart, lungs, and other internal organs all visible.

At the end of the day though, it's still just a videogame. It needs to receive a mature rating and that's that. The original had a mature rating as well.

On a side note: I enjoyed the original Manhunt, great game. If the 2nd one was on the 360, i'd pick it up as well. Since it's on the Wii though, it's a no go atm.

[QUOTE="Riviera_Phantom"]Are you joking? Manhunt 2 is a realisitc violent game of the cruelest nature. Gears of WAr is a Fantasy shooter.Bansheesdie

It was the content I was speaking of. What makes Manhunt 2 different?

In Gears if you connect a headshot with a sniper then you not only blow their head off, you explode their head. Brain, skull, and blood spray everywhere. When you hit someone with a shotgun, they explode, and to make it even better, you can see their insides. Ribs sticking out of their corpse, heart, lungs, and other internal organs all visible.

In Manhunt you actually torture and murder people where the setting is the same as in real life: a realistic setting. Gears of War is a fantasy setting. They feel like Manhunt 'tells' people to go and torture people and whatnot. This is what makes the difference.

Also, you can't really torture people in the cruel sense in Gears of War.

Makes calling the Wii kiddy a little more difficult.Bansheesdie

The Wii is kiddy.

Nope, same level of difficulty.

[QUOTE="Riviera_Phantom"]Are you joking? Manhunt 2 is a realisitc violent game of the cruelest nature. Gears of WAr is a Fantasy shooter.Bansheesdie

It was the content I was speaking of. What makes Manhunt 2 different?

In Gears if you connect a headshot with a sniper then you not only blow their head off, you explode their head. Brain, skull, and blood spray everywhere. When you hit someone with a shotgun, they explode, and to make it even better, you can see their insides. Ribs sticking out of their corpse, heart, lungs, and other internal organs all visible.

Well, in all fairness, Gears of War is a gritty game, no doubt. You don't exactly hack someones head off with a machete in it though. It's the way they do the kills that makes it incredibly gory. Some of the killing sequences that were in the original Manhunt were insane. In no way does it deserve an AO rating though, it's no different than an R rated movie along the lines of Hannibal or Silence of the Lambs.

In Manhunt you actually torture and murder people where the setting is the same as in real life: a realistic setting. Gears of War is a fantasy setting. They feel like Manhunt 'tells' people to go and torture people and whatnot. This is what makes the difference.

Also, you can't really torture people in the cruel sense in Gears of War.

FearlessSpirit

OK, now I get it. Sound fun. :P

[QUOTE="Bansheesdie"]

[QUOTE="Riviera_Phantom"]Are you joking? Manhunt 2 is a realisitc violent game of the cruelest nature. Gears of WAr is a Fantasy shooter.Puckhog04

It was the content I was speaking of. What makes Manhunt 2 different?

In Gears if you connect a headshot with a sniper then you not only blow their head off, you explode their head. Brain, skull, and blood spray everywhere. When you hit someone with a shotgun, they explode, and to make it even better, you can see their insides. Ribs sticking out of their corpse, heart, lungs, and other internal organs all visible.

Well, in all fairness, Gears of War is a gritty game, no doubt. You don't exactly hack someones head off with a machete in it though. It's the way they do the kills that makes it incredibly gory. Some of the killing sequences that were in the original Manhunt were insane. In no way does it deserve an AO rating though, it's no different than anR rated movie along the lines of Hannibal or Silence of the Lambs.

I agree to that.

Also, if a game would have full frontal nudity it would get an AO rating instantly. Which is insane. If I turn my TV to MTV tomorrow morning at 9 AM I see the exact same thing.

[QUOTE="TheDarkDisciple"]Nintendo probably paid ESRB to do this so everyone would stop calling them kiddyhelium_flash

Nintendo are not stupid. They even spoke to Rockstar about developing adult titles for Wii.

Manhunt 2 is intedned for Adults. GTA is intended for Adults. These are adult games. They are not designed to be played by kids. Hence the friggin rating.

[QUOTE="Bansheesdie"]

[QUOTE="Riviera_Phantom"]Are you joking? Manhunt 2 is a realisitc violent game of the cruelest nature. Gears of WAr is a Fantasy shooter.FearlessSpirit

It was the content I was speaking of. What makes Manhunt 2 different?

In Gears if you connect a headshot with a sniper then you not only blow their head off, you explode their head. Brain, skull, and blood spray everywhere. When you hit someone with a shotgun, they explode, and to make it even better, you can see their insides. Ribs sticking out of their corpse, heart, lungs, and other internal organs all visible.

In Manhunt you actually torture and murder people where the setting is the same as in real life: a realistic setting. Gears of War is a fantasy setting. They feel like Manhunt 'tells' people to go and torture people and whatnot. This is what makes the difference.

Also, you can't really torture people in the cruel sense in Gears of War.

You dont torture people in Manhunt 2, you kill them in a variety of ways. The reason (imo) the game is getting banned in places is because of the ways you kill the people.

What makes Manhunt 2 different from say Gears of War in terms of content?

In Gears there is a LOT of swearing. In Gears there is a LOT of blood and gore. So what makes Manhunt 2 different? Just the way its presented, or is it something else?

Bansheesdie

One of the reasons is the context. Gears of War is a battlefield environment, and any method of killing an enemy is equally valid. In Manhunt 2, you are stalking people, and are rewarded for performing the most gruesome kills possible. Those gruesome kills are also more graphic than Gears of War, which is basically just really bloodly.

As the British game rating group basically said, the level of sadism that is encouraged and rewarded in Manhunt 2 is what sets it apart.

[QUOTE="Puckhog04"][QUOTE="Bansheesdie"]

[QUOTE="Riviera_Phantom"]Are you joking? Manhunt 2 is a realisitc violent game of the cruelest nature. Gears of WAr is a Fantasy shooter.FearlessSpirit

It was the content I was speaking of. What makes Manhunt 2 different?

In Gears if you connect a headshot with a sniper then you not only blow their head off, you explode their head. Brain, skull, and blood spray everywhere. When you hit someone with a shotgun, they explode, and to make it even better, you can see their insides. Ribs sticking out of their corpse, heart, lungs, and other internal organs all visible.

Well, in all fairness, Gears of War is a gritty game, no doubt. You don't exactly hack someones head off with a machete in it though. It's the way they do the kills that makes it incredibly gory. Some of the killing sequences that were in the original Manhunt were insane. In no way does it deserve an AO rating though, it's no different than anR rated movie along the lines of Hannibal or Silence of the Lambs.

I agree to that.

Also, if a game would have full frontal nudity it would get an AO rating instantly. Which is insane. If I turn my TV to MTV tomorrow morning at 9 AM I see the exact same thing.

I don't live in america so i don't know what an AO even is. Over here games like God of War, GTA and Gears of war have always been rated " 18". Manhunt 2 would have been rated 18 also hadn't not get banned. Over there it seems to me M rating is being used for violent games, when really they should be ADULT only titles.

[QUOTE="helium_flash"][QUOTE="TheDarkDisciple"]Nintendo probably paid ESRB to do this so everyone would stop calling them kiddyRiviera_Phantom

Nintendo are not stupid. They even spoke to Rockstar about developing adult titles for Wii.

Manhunt 2 is intedned for Adults. GTA is intended for Adults. These are adult games. They are not designed to be played by kids. Hence the friggin rating.

Nintendo doesnt allow any Ao rated games on their consoles. Do you think Nintendo wanted Manhunt 2 to be rated Ao? Of course not, they probably expected it to be rated 'M' like the other game.

Although i wouldn't be surprised if they allowed Manhunt 2 to to released on the Wii, considering it's for violence, not for porn.

Nintendo are not stupid. They even spoke to Rockstar about developing adult titles for Wii.

Manhunt 2 is intedned for Adults. GTA is intended for Adults. These are adult games. They are not designed to be played by kids. Hence the friggin rating.

Riviera_Phantom

There has to be a difference between M and AO then. A significant difference. To me at least, when I see the rating 'M' I think that this is not a game for a child, itsa game for more adult players. Can it really be said that a game is meant only for adults and then allow everyone the chance to buy and play it?

I guess what I'm asking isthere really adifference between M and AO rated titles? Besides porn titles of course.

What makes Manhunt 2 different from say Gears of War in terms of content?

In Gears there is a LOT of swearing. In Gears there is a LOT of blood and gore. So what makes Manhunt 2 different? Just the way its presented, or is it something else?

Bansheesdie

I think the part where you garrote someone using your Wiimote cord, keeping him close while you slowly drain the life out of him as he struggles for survival could be considered on reasonable circles to be more impacting on the psyche than simply pressing the "B" button to chainsaw an alien.

[QUOTE="FearlessSpirit"][QUOTE="Puckhog04"][QUOTE="Bansheesdie"]

[QUOTE="Riviera_Phantom"]Are you joking? Manhunt 2 is a realisitc violent game of the cruelest nature. Gears of WAr is a Fantasy shooter.Riviera_Phantom

It was the content I was speaking of. What makes Manhunt 2 different?

In Gears if you connect a headshot with a sniper then you not only blow their head off, you explode their head. Brain, skull, and blood spray everywhere. When you hit someone with a shotgun, they explode, and to make it even better, you can see their insides. Ribs sticking out of their corpse, heart, lungs, and other internal organs all visible.

Well, in all fairness, Gears of War is a gritty game, no doubt. You don't exactly hack someones head off with a machete in it though. It's the way they do the kills that makes it incredibly gory. Some of the killing sequences that were in the original Manhunt were insane. In no way does it deserve an AO rating though, it's no different than anR rated movie along the lines of Hannibal or Silence of the Lambs.

I agree to that.

Also, if a game would have full frontal nudity it would get an AO rating instantly. Which is insane. If I turn my TV to MTV tomorrow morning at 9 AM I see the exact same thing.

I don't live in america so i don't know what an AO even is. Over here games like God of War, GTA and Gears of war have always been rated " 18". Manhunt 2 would have been rated 18 also hadn't not get banned. Over there it seems to me M rating is being used for violent games, when really they should be ADULT only titles.

Your 18+ games are rated 'M' here, which is the same as 17+. For Ao, you have to be 18+ to buy the game. It is the so called "kiss of death" in video game ratings because many retailers pull the game from their shelves if it's rated Ao.

are AO games even allowed in some stores?Kurrupt07

This is interesting.

Gamepolitics.com is a respectable site, yet I'm not seeing this on ESRB's site. Hmm.....
MoldOnHold

Take Two is the one announcing this, not the ESRB. The impression I'm getting is that the ESRB won't announce the rating until after the period for revision has expired. Rockstar has time to tweak the game to get the rating changed.

[QUOTE="Bansheesdie"]

What makes Manhunt 2 different from say Gears of War in terms of content?

In Gears there is a LOT of swearing. In Gears there is a LOT of blood and gore. So what makes Manhunt 2 different? Just the way its presented, or is it something else?

sonicmj1

One of the reasons is the context. Gears of War is a battlefield environment, and any method of killing an enemy is equally valid. In Manhunt 2, you are stalking people, and are rewarded for performing the most gruesome kills possible. Those gruesome kills are also more graphic than Gears of War, which is basically just really bloodly.

As the British game rating group basically said, the level of sadism that is encouraged and rewarded in Manhunt 2 is what sets it apart.

look at the big brain on sonicmj1!!! the difference between Manhunt 2 and any other violent medium (games, movies, etc) is that in manhunt, you are premeditating & and executing a murder. While the gore might be equal to that in Gears/GTA, the method, planning, execution is much different.

criminal justice buffs, you guys know where i'm going with this. The most sadistic/well-known killers have had this trait in their MOs.

prison time for premediatating murder >>>>>>>>>>> prison time for manslaughter.