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Manhunt 2 Could Beat Ban With Digital Download

Posted by Zonk on from the sneaky-like-that dept.

GamePolitics notes that the Register has a theory as to how Rockstar can get around Britain's Manhunt 2 ban: make it available as a digital download. "Downloaded games ... do not need an age-suitability classification, such as 15 or 18, because the Act, which mandates the BBFC's certification programme and forces retailers to obey the classifications, only covers physical products. A BBFC spokeswoman confirmed that if Manhunt 2 publisher Take-Two Interactive chose to sell the game online as a download then 'that would be legal and not contravening the Video Recordings Act'. She added that some games are already sold this way without a BBFC rating, but that most developers choose to have their games classified because selling a physical product is more profitable."

4 of 59 comments (clear)

  1. Physical Product More Profitable? by Nos. · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I don't really see how a physical product would be more profitable. Look at Valve with Steam. They pushed to get online distribution going, and (for the most part) have made their customers very happy. I love the convenience of purchasing my game online and downloading it prior to its official release. Not only that, but they save money by not producing (as many) cds, manuals, boxes, etc. I'm not sure how distribution costs would compare, since there still would be some.

    1. Re:Physical Product More Profitable? by Reason58 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      It's simple. The overwhelming majority of video game purchases aren't made by hardcore gamers (Madden 1990-2027 anyone?). Casual gamers or parents think that Steam is what happens to water. The EB, however, is a physical place they can see every time they go to the mall.

  2. Tough on the Wii by mckwant · · Score: 2, Insightful

    For systems with hard drives (of whatever capacity), it's a fine idea. The Wii doesn't have a hard drive, just 512M of internal flash ram.

    Probably ok for casual/flash-type games, likely less so for full blown titles. Nintendo's obviously going to have to figure something out here, as the industry is obviously moving to downloads for the exact reasons you mention.

    (plus, they get to keep the retailer's profit)

    --
    ceci n'est pas un sig.
  3. Rockstar work with valve? by shlepp · · Score: 1, Insightful

    What would be nice to see happen is Manhunt 2 be released over steam, i wonder if Rockstar would consider going into such an agreement with Valve. Manhunt 2 would be on the front page, and it would be an "in your face" to the guys who rate games.