The BBFC has rejected Manhunt 2 on PS2 and Wii, the ratings board has revealed, meaning that the sequel "cannot be legally supplied anywhere in the UK".
heres the statment/total utter bollocks
"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."
I couldn't care less. The first game was just boring. Why? Well, the BBFC might have supplied the reason why this game was rejected, but at the same time it is the reason why I think the game is so boring.
BBFC wrote:...focus on stalking and brutal slaying and the sheer lack of alternative pleasures on offer to the gamer...
I wouldn't say they'd be doing me a favour by banning games I dislike. I mean by allowing such games, they aren't forcing me to buy them. It's just that I don't care if they are banned or allowed.
They let GTA through and that glorifies stealing cars.
I wonder why they didn't opt to recommend modifications, as they would for films. Surely if the same tone was in a film they'd just slap an 18 on it and be done with it???
I remember the days Video Games BBFC certificates were just warnings and weren't enforceable. That's long over now I guess.
I never knew Carmageddon was banned originally. I had loads of fun playing that. To ban that is so stupid, it was clearly so over the top and not to be taken seriously. The way the grannies ran when you tried to run over them
p.s - Interestingly books never seem to be censored. I wonder why? Is it because it's presumed only intellectuals read those.
I wasnt interested in this game whatsoever, so as far as this game is concerned I hardly care that it's banned. But TBH I do find it frightning they can just ban a game for being violent, just like that. I mean, there are also lots of movies which are violent and have hardly any other redeeming factors. Plus who are 'they' to say that this game would have a harmfull influence on me or that it has no other redeeming factors other then being violent!?
I'm pretty much against censorship of any kind, so I'm always skeptic when countries and politicians take such drastic measures.
I was there, the big BNB blackout of november, 2008. We lost many that day...
"We are disappointed with the recent decision by the British Board of Film Classification to refuse classification of Manhunt 2. While we respect the authority of the classification board and will abide by the rules, we emphatically disagree with this particular decision.
"Manhunt 2 is an entertainment experience for fans of psychological thrillers and horror. The subject matter of this game is in line with other mainstream entertainment choices for adult consumers.
"We respect those who have different opinions about the horror genre and video games as a whole, but we hope they will also consider the opinions of the adult gamers for whom this product is intended. We believe all products should be rated to allow the public to make informed choices about the media and art they wish to consume. The stories in modern video games are as diverse as the stories in books, film and television. The adult consumers who would play this game fully understand that it is fictional interactive entertainment and nothing more."
grim_tales wrote:Brad are you saying they played the original Carmegeddon? I thought it was changed so you ran over zombies?
There was a patch to make it into the full uncensored version I recall.
The cut version was never sold in my country AFAIK. I loved that game, the sequel ruined it though by replacing the sprite pedestrians with god awful 3D models.
Yes The carmeggedon patch was on a US server therefore falls outside of UK laws
It still stupid, you can now get the uncut version of Manhunt 2 on torrent sites, looks like someone leaked it, which is a shame, as no developers are getting paid for it
Don't know what the BBFC are playing at, at the end of the day, if a kid plays manhunt, its down to the parents, its the same as kids watching violent 18 movies.
True, the parents should be educated about games and the ratings and what they actually mean. Some people think just because its a "game" it means its for kids
Parents being educated? That's blasphemous. Too many parents solely blame the education for their kid getting in trouble, it cannot be my faulty, can it? This is no different.
I cannot understand it when parents just leave their kids to use the computer unattended. Manhunt is for adults, it has an 18 rating so shouldn't be anywhere near kids. Instant Messaging programs have their place but when kids are involved should be monitored.
Isn't the ban to protect "Adults" though too?
slasher13 wrote:It still stupid, you can now get the uncut version of Manhunt 2 on torrent sites, looks like someone leaked it, which is a shame, as no developers are getting paid for it
British censors have won the right to fight the UK release of video game Manhunt 2 in the High Court.
The Board had warned that if the VAC decision had stood, it would have fundamental implications for all of its decisions, including those about unacceptable levels of violence.
As you guys know: I'm usually not in favour of banning simulated entertainment media, and I'm not saying for sure that I'd make this an exception; but honestly, I can't defend these sick games (ie. Manhunt 2) on any level. They do pander to the worst aspects of our violence-obsessed culture and you just know that the majority of people who play these will be impressionable teens and chavs who get off on "the killing". Unlike films which are a passive experience, games are designed exclusively for the audience to take part in. In other words when a character dies it's by "your" hand; and the nastier the better seems to be the motto.
