As you should know, we have been covering the BBFC's ban of Manhunt 2 for the past year, from the original decision, to Rockstar's appeal, and the BBFC's counter. Well, it seems that freedom of expression has won out, as the BBFC has today lost in its attempts to keep Manhunt 2 from store shelves. The BBFC, in its own words, has "no alternative" but to give the game an 18 rating.
After a nine month battle, which saw the BBFC take its decision to the High Court in an attempt to keep this title away from sensitive British eyes, the Video Appeals Committee has upheld its decision to have the game rated and made available, scoring one for civil liberty.
I don't think this game looks good at all, and I have no strong urge to play it, but it should always have been my choice, not some faceless clique's. Now I will have the option to look at Manhunt 2 on a store shelf and say "this game looks rubbish, do not want."
The BBFC always tried to claim this game would present "considerable harm" to society, but thanks to its own brand of controversy, Manhunt 2 is guaranteed to have more promotion and sales than it would have if the BBFC had just taken the barbed wire out of its minge and rated it. I fully expect the inevitable slew of scaremongering and calls for further banning from mainstream press to do the same for Rockstar's title. The sad thing is, Manhunt doesn't even deserve that kind of promotion.
[Thanks, Fanfaz]
Contest:
8:11 AM on 03.14.2008
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Atleast I don't have to get it anyway. I had a U.S copy ages ago. There's always a way around bans, ask those german players of Gears of War and Dead Rising (both of which aren't on sales there). Online mail order can do wonders.
It'll be a great opportunity to segue into "I waited X fucking months for Brawl to release thanks to the fuckhead Nintendo"
"Manhunt 2 is guaranteed to have more promotion and sales than it would have if the BBFC had just taken the barbed wire out of its minge" hehe quote of the day!
Sad but true though... I hope the game sells like a advanced chemistry textbook to chavs and then the BBFC will see that no one wants horrible shitty games despite how bloody and gory it is
Somewhere along the way Rockstar figured just to make a interactive snuff movie a little too literally.
At least the production values were similar in the way they were non-existent.
but hurrah, I am glad the ban is lifted. Now RULE OF ROSE PLEASE PEOPLE!
its a victory as games should not be censored any more than movies. an 18 cert means adults only. if kids get hold of it, punish them. dont blame R*
interestingly at work last week we had to id anyone looking under 21 who wanted to buy bully. a 15 cert game!!!! madness.
in fairness tho R* shouldnt try and be so controversial, the latin title was a better fit imho, and if they marketed the game as what it is: gta in a school setting it would have sold more than it has.
Now bring on a HD remake of manhunt.......
Could you pay for that kind of publicity
Its like watching a video of bernard manning or roy chubby brown and then bleeping every contraversial slur and crude joke. Unwatchable for those that are into these things.
Nanny Britain for you though I suppose.