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Take Two Shelves Manhunt 2

Posted by Zonk on from the not-surprising dept.

If you've been following this story so far, it shouldn't come as a shock that Take-Two has shelved Manhunt 2 for the moment, while they decide what to do next. The company is considering its options, and still fully supports the game as a 'work of art'. "Take-Two Interactive Software has temporarily suspended plans to distribute Manhunt 2 for the Wii or PlayStation platforms while it reviews its options with regard to the recent decisions made by the British Board of Film Classification and Entertainment Software Rating Board ... We continue to stand behind this extraordinary game. We believe in freedom of creative expression, as well as responsible marketing, both of which are essential to our business of making great entertainment." Analysts have already started weighing in, with some seeing this as unfairly targeting the GTA-maker for previous 'sins'.

7 of 350 comments (clear)

  1. loss by mastershake_phd · · Score: 5, Funny

    If take-two takes a loss on this game it could have a chilling effect on freedom of speech for years to come, and companies willingness to push the envelope.

    --
    Libertarian Leaning Political Discussion Forum.
    1. Re:loss by MobileTatsu-NJG · · Score: 5, Insightful

      "There were some kids that stole cars after playing GTA because they thought it was cool. What kind of things could we expect those kids to do after playing this game?"

      I expect them to go "Huh, stealing cars landed me in jail. I don't want to do that again."

      --

      "I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)

    2. Re:loss by chanrobi · · Score: 5, Insightful

      There were some kids that stole cars after playing GTA because they thought it was cool. What kind of things could we expect those kids to do after playing this game? There were also kids who stole cars before playing GTA.
  2. Re:loss - MOD CHIPS ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! by Nom+du+Keyboard · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Unfortunately both Sony and Nintendo have declined to licence it, so they can't do that.

    If there was ever an argument for Mod Chips, this is it! Once I purchase a console it's mine, d@mn it! I should be able to play whatever games I purchase for it, and shouldn't need Sony's or Nintendo's blessing first. That's like buying a Mustang, and then finding that only Ford Brand Gasoline service station nozzles will fit the weird shape of my fuel filler tube.

    I wonder if you could win an anti-trust suit over this? Imagine if your Dell PC would only run software resold through Dell stores. Where does it say on the outside of the PS3 box -- This unit only runs software licensed by Sony. Any other use of this equipment violates the Sony Playstation 3 License Agreement.

    --
    "It's the height of ridiculousness to say for those 9 lines you get hundreds of millions."
  3. Re:Gross... by matthewcraig · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You don't understand the "freedom of speech issue" about this game, because it falls on the dark side of YOUR morality line. What if someone saw your Quake or your Doom game in the same way that you presently see Manhunt 2? Would you still be so unconcerned with a decision to ban the Quake? Of course you would be outraged, and yet there would be someone else saying the ban is justified because Quake is a murder simulator.

    Freedom of speech doesn't become an "issue" only when something you like is banned, it becomes an issue when the things you don't like are banned and precedence is made. When someone else is making the decision on what is appropriate and not appropriate for your viewing, you are living in a non-free society.

    I'm not defending the game. It sounds gross to me, too, and I wouldn't even consider purchasing it. However, I defend people's RIGHT to purchase it. Whether this is a true censorship issue is questionable, because people purchasing PS or Wii know these systems will not play Adult Only content. It's just one more example why it's better to purchase only open standards.

  4. No one harmed in production by akintayo · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The local library stocks subject matter that I find offensive, including material that project certain people as subhuman. I find this as offensive as child abuse dvds, but I do realize that unlike child abuse dvds no one was actually harmed in producing these movies. And I think that is the distinction we must make, this is why a movie depicting the rape of a child is not equivalent to a child porn video. As in the latter case an actual crime is being committed. Since these games do not require the recreation of actual scenes they deserve more leeway in their depictions, as no one is being harmed. The images projected in Manhunt 2 and other games are merely pictures, and not particularly realistic ones. There is no actual difference between Manhunt 2 where one slaughters oddly shaped representations of people and Space Invaders.

    --
    Woe be on to them, all who rise against poor people, shall perish in a the end. Buju Banton
  5. Re:You are missing the DRM aspect of this... by marcansoft · · Score: 5, Informative

    You can't use it period, at least so far. The DRM for this generation's consoles hasn't been effectively broken yet. It has been worked around from the piracy standpoint, but you still can't run unsigned code. Modchips don't help.

    It's a shame that (almost) the entire console industry consists of closed systems (and this generation it looks increasingly complex to crack). I was hoping that this generation I'd be able to form part of the homebrew community, but it looks like it isn't going to happen anytime soon. Anyone willing to form an *open* team dedicated to opening up the Wii? I'm sure there are ways, but if either no one tries or those who do keep their findings to themselves, nothing gets done.