Refused classification. Banned outright. Appealed. Ban overturned. Retail preparation. Appeal against overturned ban. Decision upheld. Manhunt 2 will now be released in the UK.
BBFC fails in its attempts to prevent retail release of Rockstar Games\' Manhunt 2. Credit: Rockstar.
Following nine months of battling between the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) and videogame creators Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar Games, contentious third-person action title Manhunt 2 has now officially received the retail green light and will be slashing its way onto game consoles in the very near future.
Despite the BBFC taking its Manhunt 2 fight all the way to the High Court, an earlier decision by the Video Appeals Committee to allow the game’s release in the United Kingdom has been upheld and the much-scrutinized game will now finally be granted its place on retail shelves.
That being said, Manhunt 2’s violence and gore will not go on sale untouched by the influence of the UK censors, with Take-Two and Rockstar preparing a slightly edited version of the game in order to qualify for an ‘18’ BBFC certification.
The High Court’s rejection of the BBFC appeal, and the subsequent granting of the edited game’s age rating, mirrors a similar course of events that took place before the same edited version of Manhunt 2 was shifted from the retail-debilitating ‘Adults Only’ rating down to ‘M for Mature’ ahead of its official Halloween 2007 release.
“The Video Appeals Committee has again exercised its independent scrutiny,” commented BBFC director David Cooke in a BBC News report. “It is now clear, in the light of this decision, and our legal advice, that we have no alternative but to issue an 18 certificate to the game.”
Cooke went on to say that the BBFC had twice rejected Manhunt 2 (unedited and edited) on the grounds that the committee “after exceptionally thorough examination, that it posed a real potential harm risk,” to the game-player public via its extremely violent content.
In defending the content of its videogame creation, developer Rockstar Games (Grand Theft Auto, Bully) has always insisted that Manhunt 2 is no different to other similarly themed games and movies labelled with an 18 certificate.
“We are pleased that the VAC has reaffirmed its decision recognizing that Manhunt 2 is well within the bounds established by other 18+ rated entertainment,” said the company in an official statement. “Rockstar Games is committed to making great interactive entertainment, while also marketing our products responsibly and supporting an effective rating system.”
Following many months of lengthy debate, it remains to be seen whether UK consumers are still interested enough to support the release of Manhunt 2, not least because it has failed to amass much critical or consumer appeal in the US.
Available on the PlayStation 2, Nintendo Wii and PSP, Manhunt 2 has a low Metacritic review average of 63 percent across 30 reviews (Wii).
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