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AO Rating Basically Bans Manhunt 2 From Release

Yesterday we discussed Manhunt 2's AO rating, and what it meant for the game's retail outlook. Gamespot points out that effectively an AO rating means that the game will never be released in the first place. "Both [Nintendo and Sony] forbid licensed third-party publishers from releasing games rated AO for Adults Only on their various hardware platforms. Though Manhunt 2 isn't slated for any of Microsoft's systems, the company has also confirmed that it does not allow AO-rated titles on the Xbox or Xbox 360. The sole exception to this rule was in 2005 when the already released Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was retroactively rated AO, at which point retailers pulled it from shelves and Take-Two suspended production of the game."

5 of 295 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Perfect Time to change the model? by SatanicPuppy · · Score: 3, Informative

    The consoles make all their money from licensing. So, in order to develop for a console you have to get a license to do so (and then split your profits with the console maker). They can refuse to license anything they want to, so there is effectively no legal way to release content for a console that the manufacturer doesn't want released.

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  2. Re:Stop whining about Sony, Nintendo and MS by LighterShadeOfBlack · · Score: 2, Informative

    You're assuming that the moral majority situation you have in the US applies to the rest of the World. It doesn't. In Britain at least I'm not aware of any major games retailer who doesn't distribute 18 Certs (no such thing as AO here) and I'll bet it's the same in just about any other country too.

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  3. Re:Perfect Time to change the model? by yanos · · Score: 3, Informative

    The distribution model is only relevant when big store like Walmart refuse to sell such titles. The main problem here is that console manufacturers refuse to even *licensed* those AO titles. You still need to go through Nintendo/Sony/MS in order to have your game published, online or not.

  4. Re:How big is the problem? by deadmantyping · · Score: 3, Informative

    There are only 23 games with an AO rating. They can be seen here

  5. Re:Bullshit by techpawn · · Score: 2, Informative

    I hate to defend sarcasm, but I was directly referring to the Hollywood Blacklist. This was NOT imposed by the government, but the entertainment industry because of a select few in power. I agree that it's an abhorrent game and children (and adults) should not emulate it in any way. But even if I disagree with what people say, I defend their right to say it. They wanted to ban the game; AO gives them a backdoor to do so without the bad press of the outright ban. Just like how they did not want people to speak propaganda for communism so they got rid of the alleged supporters.

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