Today marks a very miserable day in the supposed evolution of mankind, as the British Board of Film Classification has rejected Rockstar's PS2, PSP and Wii sequel,
Manhunt 2, refusing to give it a rating and thus making its supply illegal in the United Kingdom. The game, fully covered and hyped by all major UK games publications, has been deemed an "unjustifiable harm risk" by the social babysitters at the BBFC and as such, a game that many Britons were doubtless looking forward to playing has been denied them.
David Cooke, Director of the BBFC, had this to say for himself:
"Rejecting a work is a very serious action and one which we do not take lightly. Where possible we try to consider cuts or, in the case of games, modifications which remove the material which contravenes the Board's published Guidelines. In the case of Manhunt 2 this has not been possible. Manhunt 2 is distinguishable from recent high-end video games by its unremitting bleakness and callousness of tone in an overall game context which constantly encourages visceral killing with exceptionally little alleviation or distancing. There is sustained and cumulative casual sadism in the way in which these killings are committed, and encouraged, in the game."
This is disappointing news and a very sad statement of society that this has happened. The banning of Manhunt 2 marks the first videogame to go unrated since 1997's Carmageddon, a decision that was ultimately overturned thanks to an appeal by the Video Appeals Committee. Hopefully, Rockstar challenges the board's inane and frankly disgusting move to have this game taken away from British gamers.
For the full statement from Cooke and for my frank throughts on the matter, hit the jump.
[Update: It seems the Irish Film Censors Office has decided to go ahead and ban the game as well, claiming that "the level of gross, unrelenting and gratuitous violence is unacceptable." Nice to know that Ireland's entertainment is governed by a bunch of immature, oversensitive nannies as well.]
"Rejecting a work is a very serious action and one which we do not take lightly. Where possible we try to consider cuts or, in the case of games, modifications which remove the material which contravenes the Board's published Guidelines. In the case of Manhunt 2 this has not been possible. Manhunt 2 is distinguishable from recent high-end video games by its unremitting bleakness and callousness of tone in an overall game context which constantly encourages visceral killing with exceptionally little alleviation or distancing. There is sustained and cumulative casual sadism in the way in which these killings are committed, and encouraged, in the game.
Although the difference should not be exaggerated the fact of the game's unrelenting focus on stalking and brutal slaying and the sheer lack of alternative pleasures on offer to the gamer, together with the different overall narrative context, contribute towards differentiating this submission from the original Manhunt game. That work was classified '18' in 2003, before the BBFC's recent games research had been undertaken, but was already at the very top end of what the Board judged to be acceptable at that category.
Against this background, the Board's carefully considered view is that to issue a certificate to Manhunt 2, on either platform, would involve a range of unjustifiable harm risks, to both adults and minors, within the terms of the Video Recordings Act, and accordingly that its availability, even if statutorily confined to adults, would be unacceptable to the public.
Under the terms of the Video Recordings Act distributors have the right to appeal the Board's decision."
I don't know about any of you, but I find this news depressing beyond all reason. I didn't even like the first Manhunt, but for this game to be banned because a small group of self-important individuals won't let us decide what media we can and cannot handle is just a shocking example of how farcical this country has become.
Hardcore pornography is legal, movies show shocking and deplorable acts time and time again, but because this is a videogame, we in the United Kingdom have suddenly been told we're not allowed to experience it. This is the kind of sickening double standard that an industry that rakes in more money than Hollywood has to deal with and we, the consumers, are the ones who get punished. What will it take for this childish and reactionary prejudice against videogames to end?
To claim that this game is harmful is a statement of purest arrogance. I would optimistically hope that the BBFC actually played this game before banning it - are they harmed in any way, shape or form by what they saw, or believe they saw? Evidently not, if they were mentally capable enough to ban the game, so what right do they have to just assume that everyone else is too weak to handle playing it? That's an insult to adult gamers up and down the country and I choose to take that insult personally. I'm 23 years old and I don't live with mommy anymore, I should be able to make my own decisions about what videogames I can safely play. Or perhaps the BBFC would like to come feed me, dress me and change my diaper while they're at it.
It just fills me with an icy dread that this is merely the beginning. Once an action is taken and succeeds, it becomes consequentially easier for that action to happen again and again. As I stated earlier, I hope Rockstar fights this and I hope Rockstar wins, not just for its own game, but for every game that could potentially fall victim to the whims of a few individuals.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have a game to import.
On principal alone.
Contest:
7:10 AM on 06.19.2007
| 
Regardless. If it is unclassifiable there are not enough classifications. The scale in the UK is what... age right? They should make this game 23+.
Jim I wouldn't mind seeing a post about the actual laws behind this. These so-called "guidelines" they followed. And, why the hell is an unrated game unsellable?
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to write six dozens letters to the FCC because an actor on Popular Primetime Sitcom: The Show made a veiled reference to sex. I can't have my children finding out how they came into the world, they'll start having orgies in the streets!
It'll be an under the counter job, but it's doubtful that retailers like GAME will stock this title. Still, import sales will go up and those who... stop right there. Fuck this - stupid orange making it too hard to comment. Fuck it.
This, however, makes me yearn to live in the States once again. One day I'll get off this wretched fucking island.
This will probably be the start of a slippery slope for us gamers here in the UK. They'll probably ban the next GTA too. Eventually we'll be forced to play nothing but endless Sims clones.
"Mxyzptlk: Actually, America is no better than the UK when it comes to repression, you just have problems with different things."
His "american" tone must not have translated well, because if I'm not mistaken that was exactly his point.
In the US, explosions and death are fine but we need to pretend sex doesn't exist. WTF?
as a parent i am glad to see that this can still happen seeing that it is OBVIOUS the ratings systems for games are pathetic excuses for a well needed moral check .. that said if banning is the only way to get people interested in the content of a game then so be it.
On topic - I can see what they're getting at here, games ARE different to movies and books and it IS right to distinguish them. But I think this is far too extreme, the game isn't that bad for anyone over 18 (or 23, whatever) and it's a shame that they can censor something like this from reasonable people. Sad day, indeed, but justifiable in respect of the shitty application of age restrictions and the state of the British youth = fucking scum bags!
THAT ORANGE AD HAS MADE WRITING THIS A NIGHTMARE, I'VE BEEN SEEING THE TOP OF THIS PAGE AND LEAVING THE COMMENT WINDOW EVERY 25 SECONDS OR SO! SORT IT OUT!
PS: I see no orange. Do you have a virus?
As a parent you should pay attention to the rating schemes. You don't buy an M game for a 13 year old. No matter how much they bitch about it. I don't understand why people complain about the rating schemes. I feel that most games are given the appropriate rating. If you're a parent then you should pay attention to them and buy only what is appropriate for your child or according to your families set moral compass. I may no share the same moral compass as you, but that is my decision. It is not the government's job to tell me what I can and cannot buy (at least with regards to videogames).
i have seen so many kids get turned away just to come back with parents its insane ... and although it would be nice for parents to pay attention .. they dont .. most are just not into anything else except peace and quiet which is something they get when the kids are gaming ;) ... then there is the internet .. where you dont need anything except a CC#.
there is obviously a problem big enough to get this game banned (even if its in some peoples eyes) ... but then again this is politics .. just takes one moron to take us to war .. with that said maybe its time you write a letter to your local rep (if this news even applies to you)
That's good to know.
my first name? FUCK YOU BITCH
Not too mention people aren't so uptight about seeing a pair of tits across the pond either.
Shitty news about the banning though if you want it bad enough just order it over the internet.
And bewbs > bloody, bloody, violence
Man, ask Fana7ic or 3r0t1c n3rd about game censorship in Germany sometime... We get off easy.
I thought the BBFC had moved beyond this shit. I've used them before as an example of how age rating systems should work. I would like to say more on this but I don't have time just now.
It can probably be summed up with these words: cunts and cocks.
Even if the ban is not overturned, this news will probably increase sales worldwide, becasue people will want to see what all the fuss is about.
Another positive side effect- I will buy a Wii and Manhunt just so I can reap the boundless joy of rubbing it in Sterlings face that I have Manhunt and he doesn't.
totally with you right there!
I couldn't give 2 shits about Manhunt 2 though, to the length of me not supporting it. Sometimes I have to draw the line at games that shed really, really unnecessary harsh red light on us gamers.
Or maybe I'm just getting old and don't feel the need to purchase a mature game to counteract the fact I own a Wii.
A sad day for gaming..Weak-minded fools..There will be gameburning in the streets yet, i have forseen it.
On a lighter note, fuck this game. I don't suppose Wiis are region free are they? If there were I'd just buy UK the bloody game.
"Not too mention people aren't so uptight about seeing a pair of tits across the pond either."
I'm not uptight about seeing tits. Unless they're Gregors.
Firefox with the NoScript/Adblock add-ons works just luverly
I needed to mod my Wii anyway because I'm sick of Europe getting the shaft on release dates. The BBFC are gonna make me hurry my ass up on that.
If I can't buy Manhunt 2 from France or something, then I will be modding my Wii.
This is kinda weird because they recently did a survey that came up with the opposite results (Latest PCGamer UK has the article).
As for the game itself, I never really liked the first one. Sure it was funny to watch people get murderised but that was about it. I never got very far because I got bored of it very fast. I am guessing the second is pretty much the same, but then I have not read anything on it so I may be talking out of my ass a bit there.
(Also, first ever post on Dtoid, w00t!)
I never expected this over here, maybe Germany, but not her in the UK