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From TFA:

Rockstar today launched its appeal against the BBFC's decision to refuse Manhunt 2 certification, accusing the board of putting its reputation above the interests of gamers.

I should hope that the BBFC puts its reputation above that of gamers, movie goes or anyone else for that matter.

The article talks of the BBFC's use of hyperbole but if you read their press release, they say:

Manhunt 2 is distinguishable from recent high-end video games by its unremitting bleakness and callousness of tone in an overall game context which constantly encourages visceral killing with exceptionally little alleviation or distancing. There is sustained and cumulative casual sadism in the way in which these killings are committed, and encouraged, in the game.

None of this to me suggests that the BBFC is out of touch with games. In fact I'd accuse Mr Robertson of hyperbole suggesting the BBFC is the British Board of Videogame Censors as a quick search of their records shows that Manhunt 2 is the only game currently listed as rejected.

I concur, although why the Ontario Film Review board? Im not sure having videogame ratings being assigned by the film review board is a good precedent....

One could consider it good or bad though, on one hand videogames being judged by a group well versed in making these types of judgements is defintely a plus, but on the otherhand this group probably doesn't have experience with games and dealing with their level of interactivity....

As noted below, in the UK the British Board of Film Classification can rate videogames. From the BBFC website (click on 'The BBFC' in the menu, the FAQ and it's in the list, horrible design really):

Under the Video Recordings Act, video games are exempt unless they depict (a) human sexual activity, or acts of force or restraint associated with sexual activity, or (b) mutilation or torture of, or other acts of gross violence towards, humans or animals, or (c) human genital organs or urinary or excretory functions, or (d) are likely to stimulate or encourage sex, violence, or criminal activity. Because most video games do not realistically depict humans or animals, they are exempt, but many video game distributors prefer to submit their games to the Board for classification in borderline cases. However, the industry itself has also become concerned with the accessibility and suitability of games and has introduced a self-regulatory system of classification for exempt videos which is run by ELSPA.

This is a bit out of date, the ELSPA game ratings have been recently replaced by PEGI ones. But basically the same laws apply to rated games as Videos and DVDs, so it's illegal for them to be sold to people younger than the rating. AFAIK the only ratings ever given to games has been 15 and 18 ones[1]. Manhunt (and the Grand Theft Auto series) is rated 18. But about the only games rated are the really controversial ones, like Postal etc. The BBFC also seem to be rating less harshly nowadays, Soul Calibur was a 15 on Dreamcast, but it's sequel was exempt, I think early FPSes (Ultimate Doom (15?) and Quake (15)) generally got certificates, but newer ones don't etc. but the laws still come into force for extreme games, I do think the Video Recording Act would allow the BBFC the ban a game (or require changes), but I don't think that's ever been done (except posisbley with Postal 1, as the new release it marketed as uncut (it's an 18 still)).

[1] Although Unlimited Saga has a U certificate on the box, that relates the the Final Fantasy X-2 preview DVD included with the game (most other games with bonus DVDs have been except it seems.)

The British Board of Film Classification website

This is the ruling on AoC.

here the Guidlines for PG

And these the Guidlines for 12

The British Board of Film Classification website

This is the ruling on AoC.

here the Guidlines for PG

And these the Guidlines for 12

The British Board of Film Classification website

This is the ruling on AoC.

here the Guidlines for PG

And these the Guidlines for 12

The British Board of Film Classification website

This is the ruling on AoC.

here the Guidlines for PG

And these the Guidlines for 12