The Manhunt 2 Controversy is Over, Manhunt 2 gets a M Rating

New York, NY - August 24, 2007 - Rockstar Games today announced it will release Manhunt 2 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, and the Wii™ home video game system from Nintendo in North America on October 31, 2007. This announcement follows the submission of a modified version of Manhunt 2 to the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), who has now rated the title “M” for Mature for ages 17 and older.

In June, Take-Two was compelled to suspend the release of the horror title when the ESRB issued an AO (Adults Only) rating.

“Manhunt 2 is important to us, and we’re glad it can finally be appreciated as a gaming experience,” said Sam Houser, founder and executive producer of Rockstar Games. “We love the horror genre. Manhunt 2 is a powerful piece of interactive story telling that is a unique video game experience. We think horror fans will love it.”

“Manhunt 2 is an extraordinary game, and we eagerly anticipate its release in North America,” added Strauss Zelnick, Chairman of Take-Two.

Manhunt 2 is the debut title from the newly formed Rockstar London studio, which is developing the game in conjunction with series creator Rockstar North. Early previews of Manhunt 2 have consistently praised the game’s original design and creative use of narrative, tone, and atmosphere to evoke an experience many consider unmatched in video games. The Wii version is being developed by Rockstar Toronto.

Video games rated Mature are for consumers ages 17 and older and are not intended for children. Along with the Mature rating, the ESRB also assigned the following content descriptors to Manhunt 2: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content and Use of Drugs.

Rockstar Games is a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

Source

Rockstar to appeal BBFC's ban of Manhunt 2

It's not official, but sources close to Rockstar are saying that Rockstar plans to appeal the BBFC's decision to ban Manhunt 2. They have 6 weeks for the appeal and apparently they are still planning on releasing the game within those 6 weeks. I hope they can get the BBFC to change their mind and let Rockstar sell their game.

Source

Manhunt 2 gets an Adult Only rating!

LOTS and LOTS of Manhunt 2 news today. For many of you that don't know already, I'll summarize what has happened so far. Manhunt 2 has been banned from sale in the UK because of its violence and other things. Then, the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC) called out to the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) of the US to give Manhunt 2 an Adult Only rating. Rockstar then commented and said they were disappointed at the ban of the sale of the game and wished that it could have been rated, which I perfectly agree with. And now, we have word from the ESRB that Manhunt 2 is getting an Adult Only rating. Here's the press release:

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.

Sounds like the rating isn't final, which I'm glad about. Hopefully they'll change it to Mature or something, but at least we're even getting the game.

Source

Rockstar's Comment to the UK Ban on Manhunt 2

“We are disappointed with the recent decision by the British Board of Film Classification to refuse classification of Manhunt 2. While we respect the authority of the classification board and will abide by the rules, we emphatically disagree with this particular decision.

“Manhunt 2 is an entertainment experience for fans of psychological thrillers and horror. The subject matter of this game is in line with other mainstream entertainment choices for adult consumers.

“We respect those who have different opinions about the horror genre and video games as a whole, but we hope they will also consider the opinions of the adult gamers for whom this product is intended. We believe all products should be rated to allow the public to make informed choices about the media and art they wish to consume. The stories in modern video games are as diverse as the stories in books, film and television. The adult consumers who would play this game fully understand that it is fictional interactive entertainment and nothing more.”

Source