VG-News: Manhunt 2 Release Redux

[arniejolt]

...and Electric Boogaloo...from Gamespot (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6177498.html):

Rockstar has never been a company to shy away from controversy--if it isn't the "Hot Coffee" scandal in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, it's the furor from the press in the weeks before the release of Canis Canem Edit (known as Bully in the US), or the banning of Manhunt 2 in the UK and Ireland.

While a game cannot be banned outright by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board in the US, it can receive an AO for Adults Only rating, which is a similar kiss of death due to release and sales policies; many major retailers in the country will not stock AO-rated games, and Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft refuse to allow them on their systems. Manhunt 2 was handed down this rating from the ESRB.

After Manhunt 2 received the AO rating, Take-Two suspended the release of the title while it "explored its options." In a recent conference call, Take-Two chairman Strauss Zelnick promised shareholders and journalists that the title would be released.

Today, he gets his wish, as Rockstar Games announced that a "modified version" of Manhunt 2 has received an M for Mature rating for ages 17 and over, and will be released on the PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 2, and Wii in North America on October 31.

The company did not comment on what had been cut from the title in order to achieve the lower rating. The ESRB assigned the following content descriptors to Manhunt 2: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, and Use of Drugs.

Sam Houser, founder and executive producer of Rockstar Games, commented, "Manhunt 2 is important to us, and we're glad it can finally be appreciated as a gaming experience. We love the horror genre. Manhunt 2 is a powerful piece of interactive story telling that is a unique video game experience. We think horror fans will love it."

The company is also appealing the ban in the UK, but this is a lengthy process which could take months.

Rockstar had not returned calls for comment as of press time.

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The Metal: Unabridged version:
Punk Rock - sank in swamp
New Wave - sank in swamp
Grunge - caught fire, fell over, sank in swamp
The Metal - strongest in these woods but still looking for a wife that has huge tracks of land

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[Eman311]

Yea any chance this game had of succeeding was this summer. I totally couldnt care less for it now...... no thanks on a censored game in the middle of a holiday full of AAA titles.

[woobwoob]

There is a sick & twisted spot in my heart saved for Manhunt 2.

Me thinks this will be another bad idea as it sounds like they simply "turned off" certain features of the game (like GTA). I give the hackers 30 days and they'll figure out what was left out and turn it back on.

It'll be hot coffee all over again.... I hope i'm wrong

[Rev0lver]

i hate ratings. these games cause violence? bull****. we were alot more uncivilized before video games.

[travmeatwad]

Ugh, well.. at least it's getting released.

[GARahn]

I'm glad it's being released, though disappointed that it's a softer version... I'm a little suprised to see it's coming out 10/31, I saw something on a date for it being something like 11/11. Neato.

[Brock_Landers]

on a barely related note, Focus Features have decided to release Ang Lee's latest film, "Lust, Caution" as an NC-17 (the film equivelent of AO games, meaning that heaps of places won't rent, advertise, or screen it). If you're old enough, I'd suggest you go see it just to stick it to the man in the hopes that we can prove NC-17 can actually profitable and isn't just for pervs.

It's a shame Rockstar couldn't go the same route, and just say "**** it," but it looks like they were totally blocked out by everyone internationally :/

[the_polite_force]

fuk da hataz manhunt was entertaining. and wtf no 360 release?????

[Magnet]

on a barely related note, Focus Features have decided to release Ang Lee's latest film, "Lust, Caution" as an NC-17 (the film equivelent of AO games, meaning that heaps of places won't rent, advertise, or screen it). If you're old enough, I'd suggest you go see it just to stick it to the man in the hopes that we can prove NC-17 can actually profitable and isn't just for pervs.

It's a shame Rockstar couldn't go the same route, and just say "**** it," but it looks like they were totally blocked out by everyone internationally :/

I'm not surprised about the Focus Features movie since they're primarily an indie/art house movie producing company. They'd be more inclined to risk profits for the sake of artistic vision.

I think Rockstar might have actually gone the same route with AO if every damn console maker didn't prohibit AO games from playing. With Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft shying away from the challenge, censoring and releasing with the M rating is really the only option Rockstar had.

[psyborg]

I have a feeling that despite being toned down to an M, its still gonna be pretty demented, sick,and depraved game that only deplorable psychopaths would play.

Can't wait for it. Halloween seems perfectly fitting.

And ofcourse these depraved actions should only be played using realistic motion-gesures rather than button mashing, I wanna feel like I'm really sawing body parts off.

[MotleyPriest111]

I'm going to buy this shirt when Manhunt 2 is released.

http://www.splitreason.com/Product_Images/b6011e57a469.jpg
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