When Manhunt 1 came out I had not heard of it until it hit the news with rumors of a ban. That's why I picked it up to see what the fuss was about. I thought it was pretty good, certainly good enough to make me want to get Manhunt2.
However, & correct me if I'm wrong, its a PS2 game isn't it?
I moved on to PS3 & 360 ages ago, I'll not be picking up any PS2 games again - so meh - doesn't matter.
What does matter is how this will affect games that are yet to come...

Riquez

I hate the rest of the world. Manhunt 2 would have been allowed to been released in Scandinavia (no that's not a country) as it was from the beginning before they modified it to suite the ESRB.

anarfox

Who cares if it's a bad game or not?

The thing is that it shouldn't be banned.

Ryumeka

The judge was probably a gamer himself who didn't want any of the people in the UK to waste their money on such a bad game. Thank god people like him are out there doing their part to improve the gaming community.

EightBit

Eh... the game probably deserves it by this point. Rockstar wanted to cause a fuss, and that's what they got. It's over.

Sabre_Justice

This only makes me want to play the game, which I hear is so-so.

miluda

Better this than, say, a GOOD game.

ARboom

We're almost as pansy as germans with censorship YAY! :D

Covert_Knight

it is interesting I wish the british goverment would just admit what they really want is more power which is what this and many of the other laws they have passed recently or are trying to pass boil down to.

taftsearlobe23

No one cares anymore. The UK has amply proven itself to be a nanny-state inclined to moral panic. Let's all move on.

GregoriusH

Yay for censorship!

Mikey G

@Tyrannical: (Apologies for the double post) Nope, you can pick up adult DVDs in many high street retailer stores. The media watchdogs tends to see violence in media as worse than sex in media (though rarely makes a fuss over either). I'm inclined to agree.

Spoiler Duck

@ExceptionOE: They're not telling you what you can and cannot play, just what can and cannot be sold in UK high street stores. If you can obtain for yourself a copy of the game by other means you're perfectly entitled to. It's restriction, rather than censorship, as nothing can actually get properly banned in the UK.

With that said, I'm happy with the court's decision. The BBFC said time and time again they have absolutely no objection to the graphics violence (judging from track record they would have allowed for it to be even worse), just the context within which it was being presented, which I feel is a completely fair point and one that Rockstar missed completely by adding the lame blur filter. All it would have taken would have been the addition of a few extra cutscenes and dialogue to add a less 'callous' context.

I have the utmost confidence in the BBFC for the future in regards to allowing games to be rated and allowed for sale here. Restricting on game per decade with little or no artistic value whose only point is the be ultra violent for the sake of ultra violence is fine by me.

Spoiler Duck

So, I'm guessing porn is out lawed in the UK too?

Tyrannical

Gah, this bodes badly for any future Carmageddon titles.

NINJADEATH

I think this is actually the first case I can remember of the BBFC 'overreaching', and I'm not sure why (beyond politicking). It might not seem so from this case, but in general the UK has a lot less censorship than the US; especially in both the media/political tone towards gaming (whilst of course not being ideal or mature by any means) and also in the rating system (such as the whole Hot Coffee thing).

Perhaps that's a consequence of having a more legally binding and less schizophrenic (no bizarrely close 17+ and 18+ ratings), but it's not fair to damn the country as a whole based on one sucky decision.

aldo_14

Thats nothing.
Here is a image that Kotaku show today.
[cache.gawker.com]

Is obviously very explicit pornography. Block fractals!

tei

The game would have been fun had it not given me a headache every time I see blurring.

Kirkpad

Good news, the BBFC has generally done a very good job of things in recent years and as had been reported in the media; if their decision had been overuled it would have underminded their position.

NecronomiconUK

who cares, this game bites donkey nuts... can't believe i bought into the hype and actually put myself through the misery of playing it

meepmoopmeep

God the UK sucks some times :-( I don't want the game, I just object to the BBFC pricks telling me what, as an over 18 year old, I can and can't play.

ExceptionOE

And Australia jumps on both bandwagons.

Sabre_Justice

Remember folks, Europe is fine with sex but nuts about violence. The US is the other way around, as the recent Mass Effect scandal shows.

Sabre_Justice

I don't want to say much more about this topic, but the BBFC has a very sound system for ratings that has resulted in very few cuts in recent years. They have a set of guidelines and Manhunt 2 crossed the line, simple as that. I especially don't understand why Americans seem to be getting so pissed off at this when British people aren't. It seems that everyone who understands how the BBFC works is OK with this, so all you Americans who feel the need to comment on the state of British society should just calm down, go play manhunt 2, polish your legal firearm and take up arms against those bodies in your own country that think sex is worse than violence! Here is a clue: only one of those two things is illegal...

MrLister

this doesn't bode well for GTA IV...

AbyssUK

"@ExceptionOE: They're not telling you what you can and cannot play, just what can and cannot be sold in UK high street stores. If you can obtain for yourself a copy of the game by other means you're perfectly entitled to."

Thats pretty much the same thing when it comes to console gaming. It just seems like a bunch of losers bending to pressure from their Daily Mail reading wives and trying to ban something they do not understand.

I really don't see what the problem in an 18 rating is. I want to be able to buy games in stores no matter how violent or depraved they may be.

ExceptionOE

Nope, sexy mags have the same laws as sexy vids, licensed retailers only. The top shelf grot in newsagents is very poor! As all UK schoolboys know the best porn is inexplicably buried in hedgrows and woodland.

Spoffoth

@Tyrannical:
So, I'm guessing porn is out lawed in the UK too?

Hardcore is, IIRC, restricted to licensed sex stores (which almost universally aren't allowed to show goods in open show-front windows) under an RR18 rating, softcore (i.e. playboy) can be found in the likes of HMV and Virgin (now Zavvi) in the high street under an 18 rating with the cover obscured (NB: not sure if this is a legal obligation or just to avoid pissing off parents with dirty covers on show).

Not sure about magazines, but I think they can be sold anywhere provided the front is obscured and they're kept on the top shelf. Again, not sure sure if those are legal restrictions.

aldo_14

@Spoiler Duck: What about violent sex?

Or sexy violence?

Ryumeka

@Tyrannical: No, it's not... and neither is violence. If is the law that certain items of media must have a BBFC certificate before going on sale. The BBFC refused to certificate Manhunt2 no only due to the violence but the way it was portrayed. That is in a very grim environment with no moral backbone. They don't simply count the swear words or blood splatters like many international ratings bodies.

NecronomiconUK

Next time I go to England I will make sure to bring a few American copies of Manhunt 2 to sell. Preferably in front of Parliament.

explodingmanMK2

@-sigil-: I'm far from a supporter of Guantanamo, but we do have more than a few crazy, balls stapled to the wall flag wavers that think detaining random people, mostly under nothing more than suspicions and torturing them under custody is a positive thing. One of our Presidential candidates (Romney) even wants to triple Guantanamo. Unfortunately, most of the people that want Guantanamo closed are pacifists. This isn't a US government black site; the bigger question is why hasn't the UN stepped in to stop it? They are the body which is supposed to persecute war criminals. Not to mention the current US government doesn't have the balls to impeach and convict Bush and Cheney.
I feel bad for game publishers/developers trying to release games in the UK, seems that even those appointed don't even know how to interpret the laws.

bluesquareapple

I wonder how many gamers are actually upset by this? 10? Who honestly cares to even play this game, it sucks.

Ryadic

@explodingmanMK2: except that in doing so you'd be breaking the law... It isn't illegal to own a copy, and you are free to import a copy into the country, but try to sell it on and you'd be breaking the law, since you'd be selling a title that had been refused rating.

@aldo_14: That's right, or so I understand it, and R18 DVDs can't be sold via mail order either, so online retailers are out of the window too.

Fudce

If the ratings don't work, sort out the rating system. As a 34 year old human being, I find it incredibly frustrating and insulting that some prick in a suit that knows nothing about games thinks they can tell me what is or isn't suitable for me to play. Especially when shit like Soldier of Fortune, featuring bloody limb-blasting, minimal story and crap gameplay, is deemed suitable. But a game people actually want to play? It's been picked on, in my opinion. If they try to censor GTA IV then I am up for starting a bloody revolution. Join me.

Mr Bentley

@LuppyLuptonium: Americans always chime on about freedom but what's Guantanamo bay? No trials no judgement no nothing.

Anyway the game is pure violent, non purposeful crap. I don't mind violent games as I am a big fan of resident evil, Ninja gaiden (NG2 will be violent) and more but Manhunt has always seemed pointless to me. You walk around and stab people in the eye with screwdrivers or put a plastic bag over there faces. Ratings just don't work either as I played the original when 14 or 15 cos my friend (same age) had it.

-sigil-

I am happy to be an American. In the land where freedom of speech (which is expanded into media) is law. Even if we get our Jack Thompsons, or our Fox Newses those are just the increasingly stupid downside of that particular freedom.

Now I'm not saying we are superior. As has been brought up many times, our country has simmilar views on sex, but technically sex in a game does not make it illegal. The reason there should be at least some outrage is because they are banning it. And I understand that the pissing match over it was so the BBFC can retain it's power over games, but the more power they have, the less you have.

I am not against ratings, or even a ban from Nintendo (that's sadly simple capitalism), but I am against the government telling you what to do no matter how bad the game is.

LuppyLuptonium

@Mr Bentley: But it isn't some "prick in a suit that knows nothing about games" at all. As was revealed in recent interviews the BBFC panel has to play the games they judge, thus require an interest in video games themselves. There was one interview on gamespot where the BBFC member stated his love for FPS, an obviously violent genre. I'd be more concerned about why you as a 34 year old want to play a game that is just killing with minimal plot or point.

And GTA IV will be fine - often you don't have to kill people to achieve some objectives (I'm not saying that's the standard, but it's there), and you're not encouraged to actively kill people who have no relevance to the mission objectives, it's just there as an option. Oh, and it has a story that isn't just a paper-thin excuse for mutilation.

Like has been said, the BBFC would have let Manhunt 2 get away with even more graphic violence than is already present had it some relevance or reason.

Spoiler Duck

I don't think it's good because Manhunt is crap, i just don't think it's the big deal that some people seem to.

brooza

You guys thinking this is a good thing because you think Manhunt sucks are idiots. Seriously.

stuminus3

My condolences to the subjects of her majesty the state. If it's any consolation, you guys must be quite used to things like the invisible NPCs and talking dogs in Fallout, and other weird Wal-Mart-esque mutations of games to fit decency requirements. Also, you're not missing out on much this time at least.

But seriously, it's a monarchy by name only now. You can vote those guys out, right? Where are the activists? Where's the public outrage?

fuchikoma

Will get the game on import, as a 33 year old I should be able to play this game and get from any local high street shop. If some kid try`s to copy part of the game that`s not my problem. Its down to the parents to show them right from wrong. Anyway the game would have been an 18 so again if anyone under that age gets the game not my problem.

cpfuk

@stuminus3: I agree, it should be allowed to be bought and thus still suck. :)

Sonic X

@Ashkihyena

I kind of doubt that Take 2/Rockstar would cut off their nose to spite their face.

Such an act would be tantamount to a business tantrum, and would cost them millions of dollars.

And the High Court would love it.

wild_world_girl

Thats it folks, in the UK, kiss GTA IV or any other Rockstar game like it goodbye.

Ashkihyena

This might be a stretch, but follow me. Decades back the U.K. had someone in their neighborhood who like to burn books, control thought and everything else under the sun. I am so pleased that lessons were learned. I'm so glad my grandfather fought in WWII to give people in the U.K. the freedom to choose.

First, they come for the games...

Agnostic

@Ashkihyena: 2 games the BBFC have banned ever. One of which was appealed. I doubt this is over but if the BBFC are undermined we will see government regulation instead and that's far worse. I doubt very much we won't get GTA IV, considering the minimal fuss last time around. Manhunt 2 just seems to be an anomaly, and whilst I don't agree with censorship as a principal, we have it. In this day and age it's not impossible to obtain a copy if you're that desperate to play it, I can certainly see why they banned it even if I don't agree. 2 games versus countless edited films every single year, I think the games industry is getting a better deal.

TearsandScreams

So UK residents don't mind not having freedom of speech? Are sales of the game truly BANNED as in you would go to jail if you tried to sell it, or does this just mean it gets some kind of adult classification that retailers won't touch? Seems pretty f'd up if the US is the only country in the world with the freedom of speech.

D00mM4r1n3

@wild_world_girl: Naw, they won't cancel GTA IV, but, if Manhunt 2 won't get rated in the UK, whats going to stop the BBFC from pulling this kinda stunt with GTA IV?

Ashkihyena

Wait...they have the BBFC, whose job it is to classify films, videos, and _some_ video games (from the way I read it, only the ones that are most likely to be banned or receive restrictive ratings). And then they have the VAC, whose sole job is to smack down the BBFC in regards to ratings that they feel should have been awarded but weren't. And the BBFC is protesting this on the basis that the VAC's legally binding authority circumvents their own, exactly as it was intended? Wow.

Purple Dave

Does anyone else think that they should make a Manhunt 2: Censorship Edition - and every time you kill someone daisys and petunias rain out over the screen, and the victim thanks you profusely. In the least it would be an exercise in absurdity.

OrionTheSmiter

@NecronomiconUK: Well, it was censored, but it was still released and rated, unlike in the UK, where its unrated, and still not released.

Ashkihyena

@Ashkihyena: Actually... Manhunt 2 WAS censored in the US...

GTA4 will be certified 18 and released without a problem. There will be some minor tabloid hoo hah but it will wash over quickly.

NecronomiconUK

Well, we'll see, but, this kinda makes me glad that I live in the States. Granted, from what I hear Manhunt 2 is mediocre, but, its not censored the way it is there, so you can still buy it if you want.

However, I'm still not holding my breath on the UK on releasing GTA IV without a fuss now.

Ashkihyena

I'm glad that stupid woman's son died. She fucking deserved the misery. But now shes got Manhunt 2 banned even though it has absolutely nothing to do with the murder of her fucking son. If I ever find out where she lives, I'm gonna go and spit in her face and laugh at the death of her son. Besides, Manhunt 2 was shit anyway.

Variasam2

I could say something really offensive about the british, but I won't. oh and they're nothing compared to the germans.

superbeast1370

I fully intend to import this from somewhere that hasn't banned it just to spite the idiots who've taken this this far.

Overlord44

Well for many of you that are American it is easy for you to say "move on" "who cares", but I do care because I was sorta looking forward to this and I live in the UK. This is totally out of order, they're just scared things may go out of control like with Manhunt 1 when a guy was convicted of murder influenced by manhunt then they later found it was the victim that played it. They just don't want another fuss. Goddamn it.

Jagzthebest

I couldn't care. I'll just import it from a PAL territory. And GTA will 100% be released in its original form as an 18. LOL at the people who believe otherwise...

Woylez

Not a power struggle, just idiocy. The VAC just got it wrong. I saw the text of the judgment, the High Court didn't rule on the merits, so the rehearing of the appeal might result in the game being sold, they'll just have to read and correctly interpret the act this time!

kennyd1

All this fuss over a shit game.

Ho hum. :/

inphanta