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United States joins the Manhunt 2 hysteria - gives game an 'Adults Only' rating photo

Earlier today, I broke the disappointing news that Manhunt 2 was deemed too harmful for an overprotected British public, pushing back the progression of civil liberties several decades and making me wonder if I lived in the UK or communist China. With that in mind, it seems that America has no intention of being left out of the overreaction happy fun party as the ESRB has seen fit to slap an 'Adults Only' rating on Rockstar's much maligned boogeyman-in-DVD-form.

While slightly better than an outright ban, the move will see popular chains like Wal-mart refusing to stock the game and will have a significant impact on Rockstar's earnings while movies like Hostel 2 will hit theaters with no such crippling restrictions in place. Many thanks to the ESRB who have pitched in and helped the illogical and childish enemies of the games industry pop another ill-gotten feather in their caps. We all appreciate it very much. Seriously, on behalf of gamers everywhere, thank you for making the quest for games to be viewed without prejudice and bias all that more difficult.

Meanwhile, in the UK, the European wing of the Destructoid collective will continue to fight the BBFC's decision to ban the title. Stay tuned for news of a new campaign that will soon be unleashed so gamers may provide some much needed balance to the ridiculous demonization of our favorite hobby. I think I speak for all the sane ones among us when I say this - the bullcrap's getting ridiculous.

[With thanks to Joe 'I got banned from Gmail' Burling]


Continue: More This is getting ridiculous stories





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67 comments | showing # 51 to 67

Mxyzptlk's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/19/2007 22:21
Mxyzptlk
So does this mean the game is going to show tits in it or what?
RICHARD BLOCKER's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/19/2007 22:29
RICHARD BLOCKER
We should all find a way to buy this game.even if our local stores won't stock it. I will definately buy it just to prove the point.
RICHARD BLOCKER's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/19/2007 22:29
RICHARD BLOCKER
I also submit, Sterling is a communist China basher.
Magesx's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/19/2007 23:37
Magesx
I don't see what the big problem is. You won't be able to drive down and get it from WalMart, so what? It's not like you'll never be able to get it. AO ain't that bad.



Well, you know, for us.
BluDesign's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/20/2007 00:46
BluDesign
@Magesx

It's not just Wal-Mart. Which is 25% of the total market, BTW.

It's not going to be at Wal-Mart, Target, Gamestop, Best Buy, Toys R Us, Circuit City, Future Shop, etc.

It's likely going to be an online only game, or mom and pop stores. Lots of corporations have in place a no-adults-only policy when it comes to content. Cinemark theaters, in slightly related example, will never screen NC-17 films, or Blockbuster never stocking NC-17 or unrated films. Or Wal-Mart only stocking edited versions of CD's. Look how little audience those products receive after a large window passes up on the "unrated" version. That's the thing people are concerned about on a retail level.
DrNutt's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/20/2007 02:12
DrNutt
Some of you people are retarded. It's probably not for tits, it's for hideous, gruesome violence that yes, is probably more terrible than some of the stuff in Hostel, minus the whole penis thing in 2 (oh, sorry, spoiler). After all, God of War both one and two had tits and both of those games were rated M, probably because, unlike Manhunt and Manhunt 2, those games were filled with over-the-top, cartoony violence.

While there is some validity to the point about there not being much difference between 17 and 18, it shouldn't be what comes out of this discussion.

Rather, we should look at what exactly this means for consumers. Why do we have an AO rating at all if few to none games ever receive, and few retailers will even stock it? What does it say about the sincerity of the ratings system if game companies try to put forth adult content and avoid the adult ratings?

Personally, I hope R* has the balls to publish the game as is and let the chips fall where they may. It would be a bold and brave decision for a company that consistently puts out awesome, mature titles.
DrNutt's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/20/2007 02:14
DrNutt
Sorry for the doublepost, but @Jim Sterling: How does an AO rating prevent you from choosing whether or not you play the game? As long as you're an adult, you shouldn't have a problem. That is, unless you typically buy your games from a big box store, which, considering the website you write for, is unlikely.
Rainbowblack's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/20/2007 04:06
Rainbowblack
Im with Uberone,

thank god I'm an adult.

Besides its not like I was going to buy it @ launch anyways
Joseph Leray's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/20/2007 04:28
Joseph Leray
@BetaMaster : "And I know my parents wouldn't pick it up for me."

That means they're actually doing what parents are supposed to do.
BluDesign's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/20/2007 07:01
BluDesign
@betamaster

Ask your parents to pick you up a pack of Kools while they're out. They'll respect you more if they know you smoke menthol.

That shit hurts.
jerrt's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/20/2007 09:26
jerrt
well i'm buying it at launch. i loved the first manhunt, and i can't wait for the second. i hope they don't water it down too much [actually, at all]. if i'm allowed to watch gory, nudity filled movies, i don't know why i can't play a violent video game. oh wait it is because parents have gotten lazy to the point of wanting the government to do their jobs. good work 'some' parents [I hate balling all parents into one group. i know there are plenty of competent parents that wouldn't buy this game for their underage child.]
relik's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/20/2007 12:28
relik
Again... where is Nintendo's comments on this!? This is a Wii game for fucks sake.

I want to hear them justify brutal killing mimicry with the Wiimote.

brainderailment's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/20/2007 12:55
brainderailment
Thank God for ma and pa video game shop. I really want MH2 for my psp. Hopefully they will stock it, seeing as they sell modded consoles and international games.
GENACON's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/20/2007 12:55
GENACON
Manhunt 2... Australia says NO.

It's dead set really.
cbre88x's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/20/2007 14:49
cbre88x
This is about as funny as when I sold my 1st edition GTA: San Andreas to a kid...you know..the one with Hot Coffee on it......am I going to hell for that?
king3vbo's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/21/2007 19:00
king3vbo
I'll buy it, simply to support it
CypherVR's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/22/2007 10:39
CypherVR
Big Brother is watching you..masterbate
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