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Manhunt 2 is banned here in America too photo

The bad news keeps piling up for Rockstar and Manhunt 2. GamePolitics asked analyst Michael Pachter to see what he thinks Rockstar needs to do to save their asses and not have another Hot Coffee on their hands:

I had estimated [Manhunt 2 would generate] around $25 million in revenues for this quarter, plus around $15 million in reorders.  It’s not clear to me whether Take-Two will:

1) ship the game as is;

2) re-cut the game and try to have the UK ban/US AO rating lifted;

3) cancel the game.

Unfortunately for Rockstar, they only have 2 options now. Nintendo and Sony have both stated today that they will not allow an AO rated game to play on their respective consoles. Seeing as how the game is banned in crumpet and tea land, and now more or less here, Rockstar has to either redo the game or just cancel it. Either way, this will undoubtedly hurt Rockstar financially.  

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go catch Hostel 2.

[Thanks F1tches and Magesx]


Continue: More Rockstar stories





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110 comments | showing # 1 to 50

monosylabik's Avatar
monosylabik at 06/20/2007 18:13
god today just keeps getting more and more exciting right....right!?

i cant wait to see this on the cable news channels tonight:
"ultra violent video game banned across the globe! children rejoice in the salvation of their souls!" :puke:
BlindsideDork's Avatar
BlindsideDork at 06/20/2007 18:14
I sent that in earlier....blasphemy! hahaha

All they really need to do is take out the sex scene (is it rape?) and it will probably be able to get in the M gate.



PS: the end scene in Hostel is...it seems the cut back on gore throughout the film (compared to the original) just for the ending's gore!!!
Joe Burling's Avatar
Joe Burling at 06/20/2007 18:17
There is a rumbling on the internets. People are not happy about this, and Jim Sterling and David Houghton are starting to get some serious support.
Mozgus's Avatar
Mozgus at 06/20/2007 18:18
Shitsux anyway, so who cares? If you've played the first Manhunt, you probably know what I'm talking about. All gore, no substance.
Jordan Grim Devore's Avatar
Jordan Grim Devore at 06/20/2007 18:18
If you consider the gore in Hostel 2 to be a spoiler, heads up!

Hostel 2 is worse than any game I've seen; a guy get's his dick cut off for God's sake.
Hamza CTZ Aziz's Avatar
Hamza CTZ Aziz at 06/20/2007 18:19
There's a rape scene?
BlindsideDork's Avatar
BlindsideDork at 06/20/2007 18:19
but...but...but...

WAIT!



BlindsideDork's Avatar
BlindsideDork at 06/20/2007 18:20
It has a SEX SCENE which is most like what set the game to the AO rating...and being as it is Gang Related game..chances are that could be rape. Noo proof it is rape (just a good chance), but there IS a sex scene.
Rosseh's Avatar
Rosseh at 06/20/2007 18:21
Now I really wanna see what all the fuss is about. I feel my mind can take it. Plus, I hate feeling left out of the loop especially when you're left with half of the information.

It's like when someone says something to you and then stops half way through. Then every time you ask about it they say it was nothing. Arrrgh.
Grapefruit Juice's Avatar
Grapefruit Juice at 06/20/2007 18:23
I blame Jesus.
Mekanikles's Avatar
Mekanikles at 06/20/2007 18:23
Could it be possible for it to see an initial PC-release instead? Also, the non-AO policy on modern consoles ruined my faith in the industry...
DJDuffy 's Avatar
DJDuffy at 06/20/2007 18:25
I don't like horror movies or games, so I haven't really been following this too much, but this seems to be about more than that. I really hope this doesn't start happening to other games that are far less borderline. Maybe they are just making Manhunt 2 an example case? This is brutal!
LostCrichton's Avatar
LostCrichton at 06/20/2007 18:29
hopefully they will edit part of it and still release the game. I really was looking forward to the Wii version.
SLiFE's Avatar
SLiFE at 06/20/2007 18:30
Is it just me, or does the dude on the right of the Manhunt 2 "box art" look like Summa?

imbeta's Avatar
imbeta at 06/20/2007 18:32
all this is doing is make me want to PLAY it...

c'mon PS3... don't be such a pussy.

Nintendo I could see pulling this shit, but SONY? Really?
Adamska's Avatar
Adamska at 06/20/2007 18:35
So, only for the 360? It seems that this game will have so much appeal when it finally does get released.

What does this game have that's so wrong?
Shenocide's Avatar
Shenocide at 06/20/2007 18:35
I find it sad to see so many people go "ZOMG HOSTEL 2 SO GORY!!!1." Christ people... Expand your knowledge on the horror genre... Please. Hostel 2 has nothing on Cannibal Holocaust, August Underground, My Sweet Satan and countless other similar movies. I remember seeing Hostel and feeling ripped-off. How was it gory? The whole thing was nothing but insinuation. In other words, rather than actually showing you the gore, they skimp out on it by using cheap camera tricks and fast shots in order for the viewer to rely on imagination. The true purpose of this is to avoid the NC-17 stamp.

Hostel, in general, is a bad fucking movie, and if you're just in it for the gore... You need to watch some actual horror movies for a change. The whole thing reminds me Slipknot kiddies trying to say that Slipknot is the most "brutal" band alive, and how they're "death metal." Pretty fucking sad...
BlindsideDork's Avatar
BlindsideDork at 06/20/2007 18:36
blah this...

Looks like they will edit it, do you think it will be as popular if it is edited to M?

Would I buy it if it gets edited?
DeusPayne's Avatar
DeusPayne at 06/20/2007 18:36
Guh, Nintendo had such a chance to pull off something revolutionary. And they threw it down the drain. We'll just have to wait for Manhunt 3, or Hostel the game, or...
GuitarAtomik's Avatar
GuitarAtomik at 06/20/2007 18:37
Why do we even have the AO rating if no one is going to release allow them to release it? It's retarded how a game can be suitable only for the 18+ age group, but not the 17+ age group. I guess that one year makes a hell of a difference.
Jim Sterling's Avatar
Jim Sterling at 06/20/2007 18:40
There ARE more brutal films than Hostel 2, yes, but Hostel 2 is coming out right now so it's a good comparison to make.

Personally, a fitting comparison would be Ichi The Killer - Absolutely love that film, but it's likely far sicker than Manhunt 2 was. Rape and murder and torture galore.
Hamza CTZ Aziz's Avatar
Hamza CTZ Aziz at 06/20/2007 18:41
Adamska: It was never coming out for the Xbox. Plus, Xbox has the same policy in regards to AO games.

Shenocide: Oh, I know of other horror movies far worse than Hostel but that's the latest and freshest one in everyone's minds. The point of my comment was simple trying to say "Hey, we got all of these awesome horror movies and TV shows like CSI that are graphic as hell, yet people are going crazy over just this one game?!" I probably should have said something like that instead, but I just wanted to be quick and snarky.
BlindsideDork's Avatar
BlindsideDork at 06/20/2007 18:41
This game was never scheduled for a Xbox or 360 release...
Magesx's Avatar
Magesx at 06/20/2007 18:42
imbeta: It was never coming out for the PS3; the PS2, yes.
Angry Irish's Avatar
Angry Irish at 06/20/2007 18:43
It's great to know the fact that I have people I don't know choosing what I can and cannot view or experience.
BlindsideDork's Avatar
BlindsideDork at 06/20/2007 18:43
Wasn't the movie "Zombie" banned in the UK or Europe or something? That had a scene of a few people walking in on like 4 zombies with some chick completely ripped apart, inside even! That was something else!

And Hostel Part 2 is a good choice cause it is a MAJOR theatrical release with some gore.
BlindsideDork's Avatar
BlindsideDork at 06/20/2007 18:44
Manhunt 2 was only for Wii (primary), PS2, PSP.
BlackDove's Avatar
BlackDove at 06/20/2007 18:46
Microsoft doesn't release AO games either, it's not getting released anywhere. They're either cutting it or canceling it.
monosylabik's Avatar
monosylabik at 06/20/2007 18:47
@ blindsidedork

yeah that scene is in the movie...and its a killer scene.
Angry Irish's Avatar
Angry Irish at 06/20/2007 18:48
This whole subject is making me think of the song "Vicarious" by Tool.

Well, we do need to watch things die from a good safe distance, right?
PiKo's Avatar
PiKo at 06/20/2007 18:48
Further and Further away from a fascist state I swear!
monosylabik's Avatar
monosylabik at 06/20/2007 18:50
indeed angry irish.
i used to think i had the choice to do that..
appareantly i dont even have the mental capabilitie to make such a decision anymore.
tehuberone's Avatar
tehuberone at 06/20/2007 18:50
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Churchhills Dog's Avatar
Churchhills Dog at 06/20/2007 18:51
Way to go Nintendo & Sony, nice to see both companies hire spineless cowards. We don't want to upset the all important shareholders now, do we. Who needs crap like freedom of speech, etc.
BlindsideDork's Avatar
BlindsideDork at 06/20/2007 18:55
tehuberone fails!
Angry Irish's Avatar
Angry Irish at 06/20/2007 18:59
You know, just wait until the politicians cheer for this.

Man, they're so smart. Hilary Clinton's third eye is so powerful you can almost see it.
SpiderChrist's Avatar
SpiderChrist at 06/20/2007 19:02
this planet is a farce, who hid the real Earth?
midgar777's Avatar
midgar777 at 06/20/2007 19:11
The first game brought a huge outcry in the media and i was shocked to see this game was even being released tbh :O But that doesn't mean i don't want to play it> I bought the first one and completed it, it was very creepy but cool. Playing games like this doesn't make you a psycho killer, it's actually kinda fun to play. Bit gutted it's been banned, UK censorship is run by a big bunch of fannies :D
vinnchan's Avatar
vinnchan at 06/20/2007 19:14
It's not like Nintendo went "NO; NOT MANHUNT!" All the three console makers have a longstanding policy of not releasing AO games on their consoles. It's that simple... it's not censorship, it's not the Wii being kiddie. This is standard policy jumping up and kicking Rockstar in the nuts.

I agree that the rating of movies and games differently sucks... but there's no way to change that now except to write a letter to the ESRB. That's the root of this problem.

And sorry if I'm overly sensetive, some of it might have carried over from kotaku.
Necros's Avatar
Necros at 06/20/2007 19:23
@ Churchills Dog: You realize those policies have been in place for many years, right? It's not like Nintendo and Sony announced a decision in light of Manhunt's rating. I don't agree with that, but I can see why they mandate that. If a game is rated AO and not even on most store shelves, there's a low chance of any of the parties making a significant amount of money.

At the same time, Reggie really wanted some mature games, so he would be wise to try and overturn that policy.
Reeper's Avatar
Reeper at 06/20/2007 19:25
whoa whoa whoa, no AO titles on the wii/ps2/ps3? wtf??? so they're saying that i can go watch my porn/super bad horror film on the internet with the wii and dvd with ps2/3, but i can't play a AO only game? what the flying fuck? hypocrisy at it's best i suppose.
tehuberone's Avatar
tehuberone at 06/20/2007 19:28
Blindside don't make me link yo' blog.....

O and long NO is long.
Jim Sterling's Avatar
Jim Sterling at 06/20/2007 19:29
What's the POINT of an AO rating if it means consoles won't allow it!?
vinnchan's Avatar
vinnchan at 06/20/2007 19:49
@AgentMOO:
No, it's not. Flat out banning would be refusing to rate it, or if there was one corporate entity making the decision like there was in England. The thing is though, that these rules have been in place for a long time and Rockstar knew what it was getting into when it started making the game. They knew that if they got an AO they would be in the crapper.

@JimSterling:
Because at least there's the option. At least there is a rating so that in America the game gets a rating no matter what, so that one day the consoles WILL allow AO stuff on their systems. Sure it's arbitrary, but at least that allows for the meaning of the rating to change over time.
Suff0cat's Avatar
Suff0cat at 06/20/2007 19:51
@Vinnchan

"It's that simple... it's not censorship, it's not the Wii being kiddie."

It is censorship. Instead of letting the consumer decide what they want to play they instead come up with that policy of no AO and force the developers to either censor themselves or not release the product.

Sony/MS/Nintendo shouldn't be saying what is allowed on their consoles. The consumer should be allowed to choose what will and won't be played on the video game console they payed a nice chunk of change for.

This is incredibly stupid. It's like having a CD player that refuses to play a cd with a Parental Advisory sticker...or a DVD player that refuses to play anything above a PG rating.
Rosseh's Avatar
Rosseh at 06/20/2007 19:53
Shenocide is right. In cannibal holocaust a guy gets his dick cut off with a sharpened rock, you see it all. Even the flesh tearing. Plus in The Doom Generation a guy gets it cut off with garden sheers but it cuts so you don't see it. I've seen dogs split open with flesh and blood and tentacles, a dudes arms getting ripped off, a guy's head being ripped off by his eye sockets while he screams until the sound is so high pitched it's inaudable while zombies feast on his organs and god knows what else on the internet.

I'm pretty confident I can handle this stuff. At least allow people to buy the damn thing from somewhere, an outright ban is ridiculous. If you look at how media has been banned in the past and how eventually it gets lifted. Plus, this kind of behaviour just patronises people.
KevlarGibs's Avatar
KevlarGibs at 06/20/2007 19:56
If the AO rating was used for it's original intention of pornographic games, that would be one thing... but because of politicians complaining about violence, now a violent game can probably get AO without any sex content. It would seriously not suprise me if this 'ban' was based entirely on violence, and had nothing to do with sex.

Even if it is a rape issue.... CSI and all that bullshit talk all day long about rape on every damn episode... I can't even watch it... makes me sick.

anyway, it will sell in japan, they have rape simulator games... for when the dating sim just doesn't take the edge off anymore.
electroplankton's Avatar
electroplankton at 06/20/2007 19:57
At the risk of being stoned to death, GOOD RIDDANCE.
Sharpless's Avatar
Sharpless at 06/20/2007 19:57
I think the bottom just dropped out of my ability to care about this. I'm gonna go play my Haloes now. I've almost winned 'em.
TheBrain's Avatar
TheBrain at 06/20/2007 19:59
Uggghhhh. I honestly don't know why Rockstar continually makes these blatant attempts to shock people and goad everyone into doing something like this.

I don't think the game should be withheld, but Rockstar needs to realize that this shit just isn't necessary.




Also...this is beside the point.. but the game was going to suck anyway.
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