Manhunt 2 Rejected By BBFC Again, Rockstar Appeals Again

Gamespot is reporting that, for a second time, the UK's British Board of Film Classification has declined to assign a rating to Rockstar's Manhunt 2. And, again, Rockstar is appealing that decision. "As for why the edits weren't to the BBFC's liking, the board stated that the 'reduction in visual detail in some of the execution kills' was still not enough to bring the title in line with an 18 rating. The director of the BBFC, David Cooke, also said the organisation had suggested further changes to the game be made, although some requests were ignored. Rockstar responded with a statement shortly after the announcement, stating that it would also be appealing this decision, and that the extra changes it was requested to make were 'unacceptable.'"

Comments

Well then...

[Otter]

As for why the edits weren't to the BBFC's liking, the board stated that the 'reduction in visual detail in some of the execution kills' was still not enough to bring the title in line with an 18 rating.

Frankly, if they're reducing visual detail "in some of the execution kills", I'm not buying the game anyway! Certainly not when I can instead go the mall and watch iPod users' pants catch on fire.

F&*! the nanny state

[Neon Aardvark]

Not the kind of game I would normally be interested in, but this ban makes me want to obtain this by other means, and donate a fair price to Rockstar (if this is somehow possible).

Re:F&*! the nanny state

[7Prime]

Hold on, how is this a Nanny-state situation? I love how the fact that a private rating organization whose decision affects the decision for private console manufacturing companies to release games, and the decision for private retailers to sell the game suddenly constitutes a "Nanny state". If you extend the "Nanny" to mean private corporations, than I will agree with you, but you do realize that there is absolutely no government involvement here.

What you're seeing is Capitalism at its most uninterrupted... do you like it, Ms. Rand?

Re:F&*! the nanny state

[plague3106]

No, not uninterupted at all. This private ratings organization only came about because otherwise the GOVERNMENT was threatening to do so. If the government hadn't said otherwise, its likely ratings wouldn't have been adopted at all.

This is how any ratings systems have come to be; whether for movies, music and now video games.

Re:F&*! the nanny state

[meringuoid]

Hold on, how is this a Nanny-state situation?

Because the BBFC are a government body whose job it is to tell adults which films they're allowed to watch and which games they're allowed to play.

Re:F&*! the nanny state

[lubricated]

It doesn't matter how the nanny state came to be either by overpowerful corps or government or whatever. These guys have a product and they can't sell it in a country.

Just my $.02...

[Cleon]

At this point they really ought to just release the game for the PC as free software, and use the strategy guides, web sites, forums, etc to generate revenue.

As an added bonus, it would be a huge middle finger to the jackasses who think it's acceptable to "ban" a video game.

If they keep on appealing, it's just going to be a bigger money pit--and it probably won't get them anywhere. Time to cut your losses, guys.

Rockstar

[n0dna]

Selling Crap through Controversy.

Re:Rockstar

[Jedi Alec]

Perhaps. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed GTA: San Andreas. Not because of all the Hot Coffee crap, but because it was a game I had fun playing. Cruising around town with that weird old rockstation on the radio(and Axl Rose on the mike) and just checking out the scenery. Most of the missions were so completely over the top that it was more funny than violent. Money well spent, in my opinion.

Strange

[jmpeax]

It blows my mind that the BBFC is allowed to ban things at all - they're like some kind of elitist gatekeepers who are able to dictate what entertainment adults can and cannot enjoy. It's so insane.

Re:Strange

[Opportunist]

I'm quite aware that Rockstar uses shock as a selling point. Their games ain't much more than shock and awe. They ain't the first to use a shocking concept as a way to publish their content, and I'm fairly sure they won't be the last ones. If it's a consolation for you, I don't have any of their games.

The point is, though, that it's still about freedom of speech. It's like with the Playboy (or was it Hustler?), I don't care about their opinion, but I want them to be able to voice it. Yes, even if it's not about opinion but about money.

If an adult is not set well enough in his moral makeup that a game can turn him from a civilized being into a savage, again, society has far worse problems at its hands.

what the hell?

[Pojut]

Wait wait wait...they are saying it is still unsuitable for an 18 rating...that implies that THEY are deeming it "unfit" for anyone, up to and including adults of consenting and legal age.

Who the fuck are YOU to tell ME what is innapropriate in terms of SIMULATED violence?

Realize that some people actually enjoy simulated violence and that you are not their mother. Fucking hell.

Re:what the hell?

[Opportunist]

Even if they were my mom. I'm past the age of "legality" for anything there is. I can take a mortgage and ruin my life, I can sign contracts to pyramide schemes, I can join our army and let some idiot punch a hole into my head, I can return the favor and turn him into a fine, red mist, I can sign with pharma corps and let them use my body in any kind of testing, in short, I am legally permitted to destroy my life in any way I deem fit, but I can't play a game?

WTF?

Re:Hmm

[oyenstikker]

Are there any iPod users who aren't at the mall?

Tired game ideas

[ThirdPrize]

Lets face it Rockstar are the GWAR of the computer games industry. Using 'supposed' shock tactics to look a bit rebellious and hip in an attempt to sell units. GTA was good, Bully was a bit sick and this just seems a bit sad. It's like the team behind the film Scarface doing a cheap straight to DVD nasty afterwards.

My real complaint is that ever since Tekken first ripped someone's spine out and dangled it in their face, games have been trying to out gore each other . It doesn't really add much to the game and just appeals to teenage boys the same way "Dead or Alive" games do. Maybe they could do a Mike Diana game. The kids would really love that.