As was foretold, we've added advertisements to the forums! If you have questions, or if you encounter any bugs, please visit this thread: https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/240191/forum-advertisement-faq-and-reports-thread/

Manhunt 2 NOT to be released in the UK

APZonerunnerAPZonerunner Registered User regular
edited August 2007 in Games and Technology
The BBFC - who are usually very reasonable - have rejected it's release.
British Classification body rules Rockstar cannot release upcoming PS2 and Wii sequel in the UK

With Take 2 already in turmoil following the recent company-wide restructuring, the group has been dealt another blow with the news that Rockstar’s upcoming sequel Manhunt 2 has been rejected by the BBFC, meaning it cannot legally be supplied anywhere in the UK.

The only other game to ever be rejected by the body was Carmageddon in 1997, though that decision was overturned by the Video Appeals Committee.

“Rejecting a work is a very serious action and one which we do not take lightly,” BBFC director David Cooke stated. “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.”

The BBFC are very good and... I actually trust their decision. While I'm sure that many of us can play it just fine, it probably IS too violent for general release. The original Manhunt was, in my opinion, violent for the sake of it and not in a way I found particularly compelling. But whatever. News.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/27545/BBFC-rejects-Manhunt-2

APZonerunner | RPG Site | UFFSite | The Gaming Vault
XBL/PSN/Steam: APZonerunner
APZonerunner on
«13456722

Posts

  • VeeveeVeevee WisconsinRegistered User regular
    edited June 2007
    This will both give our favorite dick of a lawyer some more ammunition in his crusade against Rockstar and Take 2, and probably increase sales for the game in the US. I can imagine a lot of people buying the game just to see why the UK banned its sale.

    Veevee on
  • DarkWarriorDarkWarrior __BANNED USERS regular
    edited June 2007
    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

    FFS, give it an 18 and then leave it. Noone below that should be playing it and its a freaking game ><

    DarkWarrior on
  • Future BluesFuture Blues Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    The BBFC are very good and... I actually trust their decision. While I'm sure that many of us can play it just fine, it probably IS too violent for general release. The original Manhunt was, in my opinion, violent for the sake of it and not in a way I found particularly compelling. But whatever. News.

    http://www.mcvuk.com/news/27545/BBFC-rejects-Manhunt-2

    Sounds like censorship, plain and simple.

    I don't understand what you mean by "too violent for general release." I mean, I just don't understand what that means. Not at all.

    Future Blues on
    Xbox Live: No Reply
    Steam: Jacobontap
    LoL: FutureBlues
  • RizziRizzi Sydney, Australia.Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Oh dear.. Now I really don't like the chances of it coming here.. Or at least of it not getting banned about a week after release..
    (Original was banned in Australia)

    Rizzi on
  • SporkAndrewSporkAndrew Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited June 2007
    Big Brother is watching us.

    Protecting.

    Big Brother thinks we shouldn't be allowed to judge for ourselves.

    Big Brother will see us right.

    SporkAndrew on
    The one about the fucking space hairdresser and the cowboy. He's got a tinfoil pal and a pedal bin
  • Mr_GrinchMr_Grinch Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Methinks it's mod my Wii again time.

    Utterly ridiculous decision, when films like Hostel and Hostel 2 make it for general release it baffles me they can knock back a game like this.

    Mr_Grinch on
    Steam: Sir_Grinch
    PSN: SirGrinchX
    Oculus Rift: Sir_Grinch
  • AldoAldo Hippo Hooray Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    has the BBFC ever banned a Tarantino-movie?

    Aldo on
  • TehSpectreTehSpectre Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    The BBFC are very good and... I actually trust their decision. While I'm sure that many of us can play it just fine, it probably IS too violent for general release. The original Manhunt was, in my opinion, violent for the sake of it and not in a way I found particularly compelling. But whatever. News.

    http://www.mcvuk.com/news/27545/BBFC-rejects-Manhunt-2

    Sounds like censorship, plain and simple.

    I don't understand what you mean by "too violent for general release." I mean, I just don't understand what that means. Not at all.
    I agree.

    Should we ban bloody horror movies as well? They're too violent anyway.

    TehSpectre on
    9u72nmv0y64e.jpg
  • japanjapan Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Well, damn. Is there an effective way to run import Wii games yet? Hopefully a boot disk of some kind?

    japan on
  • MeizMeiz Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    F
    U
    C
    K

    What's that spell?

    Meiz on
  • RookRook Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    TehSpectre wrote: »
    The BBFC are very good and... I actually trust their decision. While I'm sure that many of us can play it just fine, it probably IS too violent for general release. The original Manhunt was, in my opinion, violent for the sake of it and not in a way I found particularly compelling. But whatever. News.

    http://www.mcvuk.com/news/27545/BBFC-rejects-Manhunt-2

    Sounds like censorship, plain and simple.

    I don't understand what you mean by "too violent for general release." I mean, I just don't understand what that means. Not at all.
    I agree.

    Should we ban bloody horror movies as well? They're too violent anyway.

    The BBFC are pretty good about how they classify and censor films. Excessive violence without meaning will not get passed, but that really is very rare, the only recent examples of this I can think off were some scenes in Ichi the Killer.

    Rook on
  • APZonerunnerAPZonerunner Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    TehSpectre wrote: »
    The BBFC are very good and... I actually trust their decision. While I'm sure that many of us can play it just fine, it probably IS too violent for general release. The original Manhunt was, in my opinion, violent for the sake of it and not in a way I found particularly compelling. But whatever. News.

    http://www.mcvuk.com/news/27545/BBFC-rejects-Manhunt-2

    Sounds like censorship, plain and simple.

    I don't understand what you mean by "too violent for general release." I mean, I just don't understand what that means. Not at all.
    I agree.

    Should we ban bloody horror movies as well? They're too violent anyway.

    Meh, the BBFC are generally very cool about stuff like this. Stuff like the Japanese verisons of The Ring and Battle Royale which are terribly violent do just fine over here. All this is coming off the back of that thing a while back where that manhunt-obsessed psycho kid killed another one with a spanner.

    Most of my indifference is down to my lack of interest in the game, though. I have to admit, if they were banning GTA4 or Dead Rising 2 or something I'd be up in arms like the rest of you.

    APZonerunner on
    APZonerunner | RPG Site | UFFSite | The Gaming Vault
    XBL/PSN/Steam: APZonerunner
  • japanjapan Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Wait, PAL is all one region right? So theoretically, I should be able to import a copy from elsewhere in Europe , and it should play fine on my UK Wii, correct?

    japan on
  • Mr_GrinchMr_Grinch Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    japan wrote: »
    Well, damn. Is there an effective way to run import Wii games yet? Hopefully a boot disk of some kind?

    Modchips nowadays I -think- will boot imports without any fiddling. The one I did have fitted (I removed it to play Mario Strikers for fear of being banned!) allowed me to play import games but I had to:

    Import disc
    Rip Disc (pain in arse)
    Patch iso
    Burn disc.

    But I think they do the patching on the fly now, so you should be able to get it modded and just whack in an original import and it'll play.

    I'm researching tonight for myself so I'll send you a pm if you like?

    Mr_Grinch on
    Steam: Sir_Grinch
    PSN: SirGrinchX
    Oculus Rift: Sir_Grinch
  • Nexus ZeroNexus Zero Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    What. The. Fuck. I thought it was going to be Germany or some other censorship-loving country. Turns out we're fucktards, too.

    Nexus Zero on
    sig.jpg
  • AntibodiesAntibodies Used to live in a psychic city. Never knew what would happen in a day. Chicago, ILRegistered User regular
    edited June 2007
    It doesn't matter how rational or clear headed or rare their censorship is- its wrong to disallow people to choose for themselves what they buy with the money they make. Definitely make it Adult Only or whatever the equivalent is to keep it out of children's hands, I agree completely. But to block the entire country from touching it at all is stupid, bummer for those who will have to import it now.

    I'm still looking forward to it on the Wii, I'm surprised there hasn't been more uproar about it really, I suppose with the release being upon us we'll start to hear about it.

    Antibodies on
    XBL: thetinwoodsman
  • TehSpectreTehSpectre Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Antibodies wrote: »
    It doesn't matter how rational or clear headed or rare their censorship is- its wrong to disallow people to choose for themselves what they buy with the money they make. Definitely make it Adult Only or whatever the equivalent is to keep it out of children's hands, I agree completely. But to block the entire country from touching it at all is stupid, bummer for those who will have to import it now.

    I'm still looking forward to it on the Wii, I'm surprised there hasn't been more uproar about it really, I suppose with the release being upon us we'll start to hear about it.
    Seriously.

    I wouldn't want an edited Ichi the Killer.

    TehSpectre on
    9u72nmv0y64e.jpg
  • APZonerunnerAPZonerunner Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Doesn't it become a 50px-BBFC_R18_2002_onwards.png now, though? Meaning it can only be sold in licensed shops? (Like porn shops, as mostly hardcore porn gets this rating.

    APZonerunner on
    APZonerunner | RPG Site | UFFSite | The Gaming Vault
    XBL/PSN/Steam: APZonerunner
  • ZiggymonZiggymon Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Doesn't it become a 50px-BBFC_R18_2002_onwards.png now, though? Meaning it can only be sold in licensed shops? (Like porn shops, as mostly hardcore porn gets this rating.

    that rating is usually restricted for porn only

    Ziggymon on
  • Mr_GrinchMr_Grinch Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    I'm pretty sure they'll fight to over-turn this decision, otherwise their going to lose sales massively.

    I've got a modded PS2 already so importing it isn't an issue for that console, but damn it, I wanted the Wii version!

    Mr_Grinch on
    Steam: Sir_Grinch
    PSN: SirGrinchX
    Oculus Rift: Sir_Grinch
  • japanjapan Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Mr_Grinch wrote: »
    I'm pretty sure they'll fight to over-turn this decision, otherwise their going to lose sales massively.

    I've got a modded PS2 already so importing it isn't an issue for that console, but damn it, I wanted the Wii version!

    I can't find a decent answer to this anywhere, but shouldn't it be possible to play a Wii disc from France, or The Netherlands without modifying the console?

    japan on
  • JohnDoeJohnDoe Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    The BBFC are very good and... I actually trust their decision.

    Indeed. The government must think for us and decide what materials are acceptable for me.

    JohnDoe on
  • LeitnerLeitner Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    All this is coming off the back of that thing a while back where that manhunt-obsessed psycho kid killed another one with a spanner.

    The joy of tabloids. What actually happened was a manhunt obsessed killed got killed by another kid.

    I strongly disagree with this censorship. I may well be writing to my MP if I can find out how to contact her.
    JohnDoe wrote: »
    The BBFC are very good and... I actually trust their decision.

    Indeed. The government must think for us and decide what materials are acceptable for me.

    Who is the government made up of?

    Leitner on
  • japanjapan Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Just got off the phone with Nintendo Europe. A UK Wii will play games from any other PAL region country (So, anywhere in Europe, or Australia).

    As long as it gets a PAL release somewhere, it should be easy to import.

    I realise that doesn't do anything about the BBFC decision, but there will probably be an appeal.

    japan on
  • bongibongi regular
    edited June 2007
    JohnDoe wrote: »
    The BBFC are very good and... I actually trust their decision.

    Indeed. The government must think for us and decide what materials are acceptable for me.

    i don't think the BBFC is a government body

    bongi on
  • japanjapan Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    bongi wrote: »
    JohnDoe wrote: »
    The BBFC are very good and... I actually trust their decision.

    Indeed. The government must think for us and decide what materials are acceptable for me.

    i don't think the BBFC is a government body

    And strictly speaking, the responsibility for enforcing the ratings rests with local authorities. They usually follow the BBFC's ratings, but don't have to if they so choose.

    japan on
  • DarkWarriorDarkWarrior __BANNED USERS regular
    edited June 2007
    TehSpectre wrote: »
    The BBFC are very good and... I actually trust their decision. While I'm sure that many of us can play it just fine, it probably IS too violent for general release. The original Manhunt was, in my opinion, violent for the sake of it and not in a way I found particularly compelling. But whatever. News.

    http://www.mcvuk.com/news/27545/BBFC-rejects-Manhunt-2

    Sounds like censorship, plain and simple.

    I don't understand what you mean by "too violent for general release." I mean, I just don't understand what that means. Not at all.
    I agree.

    Should we ban bloody horror movies as well? They're too violent anyway.

    All this is coming off the back of that thing a while back where that manhunt-obsessed psycho kid killed another one with a spanner.

    You're whats wrong with the system, buying into crap the press posts. The police said the game was not involved in the murder and it was teh victim who owned it, not the killer. The killer was a junkie who needed money for a fix and killed him with a hammer. Then the victims parents decided to take their grief out on a game they must have bought for him.

    DarkWarrior on
  • The_ScarabThe_Scarab Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Shit, now I wont be able to buy the game I had no intention of buying anyways.


    Also, to all those who are like 'why is the government thinking for me' you should think long and hard about this game and what its release would mean.

    The_Scarab on
  • 12gauge12gauge Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    japan wrote: »
    Mr_Grinch wrote: »
    I'm pretty sure they'll fight to over-turn this decision, otherwise their going to lose sales massively.

    I've got a modded PS2 already so importing it isn't an issue for that console, but damn it, I wanted the Wii version!

    I can't find a decent answer to this anywhere, but shouldn't it be possible to play a Wii disc from France, or The Netherlands without modifying the console?

    It's no problem whatsoever - I import games from the UK all the time.

    12gauge on
    davidoc0.jpg
  • RitchmeisterRitchmeister Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    This is a disgraceful decision.

    Ritchmeister on
  • J3pJ3p Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    We have always been at war with Eurasia.

    J3p on
    +./\ 50 ?. 50
  • AldoAldo Hippo Hooray Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    The_Scarab wrote: »
    Shit, now I wont be able to buy the game I had no intention of buying anyways.


    Also, to all those who are like 'why is the government thinking for me' you should think long and hard about this game and what its release would mean.
    Err, it's release would mean there would just be another violent vidjagame we can use a scapegoat whenever someone <29 kills a person.

    Aldo on
  • The_ScarabThe_Scarab Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Aldo wrote: »
    The_Scarab wrote: »
    Shit, now I wont be able to buy the game I had no intention of buying anyways.


    Also, to all those who are like 'why is the government thinking for me' you should think long and hard about this game and what its release would mean.
    Err, it's release would mean there would just be another violent vidjagame we can use a scapegoat whenever someone <29 kills a person.

    except unlike previous videogames who only feature violent themes this game features violent murders that you perform like for like with the Wiimote.

    Which, is not a scapegoat it is a legitimate reason for it to be banned.



    nb: it is also banned in australia.

    The_Scarab on
  • GlalGlal AiredaleRegistered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Nexus Zero wrote: »
    What. The. Fuck. I thought it was going to be Germany or some other censorship-loving country. Turns out we're fucktards, too.
    Germany *doesn't ban games. All those fucked up German game versions? The developers did that themselves so their games would get sold on shelves, rather than behind the counter.



    *the only exception are those with Nazi symbolism, and even then it might simply be forced off displays

    Glal on
  • 12gauge12gauge Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    The_Scarab wrote: »
    Aldo wrote: »
    The_Scarab wrote: »
    Shit, now I wont be able to buy the game I had no intention of buying anyways.


    Also, to all those who are like 'why is the government thinking for me' you should think long and hard about this game and what its release would mean.
    Err, it's release would mean there would just be another violent vidjagame we can use a scapegoat whenever someone <29 kills a person.

    except unlike previous videogames who only feature violent themes this game features violent murders that you perform like for like with the Wiimote.

    Which, is not a scapegoat it is a legitimate reason for it to be banned.



    nb: it is also banned in australia.

    I am wondering what Germany will do - will they just ban the sale to people under the age of 18 or will they make it illegal to sell it at all. And I am pretty sure at least one special bavarian minister of interior will go crazy about that "Killerspiel".

    12gauge on
    davidoc0.jpg
  • AldoAldo Hippo Hooray Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    The_Scarab wrote: »
    except unlike previous videogames who only feature violent themes this game features violent murders that you perform like for like with the Wiimote.

    Which, is not a scapegoat it is a legitimate reason for it to be banned.



    nb: it is also banned in australia.
    So you're saying it's a murder simulator, Jack?

    Aldo on
  • Duchess ProzacDuchess Prozac Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    The_Scarab wrote: »
    Aldo wrote: »
    The_Scarab wrote: »
    Shit, now I wont be able to buy the game I had no intention of buying anyways.


    Also, to all those who are like 'why is the government thinking for me' you should think long and hard about this game and what its release would mean.
    Err, it's release would mean there would just be another violent vidjagame we can use a scapegoat whenever someone <29 kills a person.

    except unlike previous videogames who only feature violent themes this game features violent murders that you perform like for like with the Wiimote.

    Which, is not a scapegoat it is a legitimate reason for it to be banned.



    nb: it is also banned in australia.

    But what about the PS2 version? By your reckoning that should be okay, but that still been banned too.

    Besides just because it has waggle doesn't mean it shoould be banned. There is very little reason why anything should be banned. Its just the government (Yes, the BBFC isn't an 'offical' Body but they certainly pander to them) telling us what we can and can't do in the privacy of our own homes.

    Duchess Prozac on
  • LeitnerLeitner Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Glal wrote: »
    *the only exception are those with Nazi symbolism, and even then it might simply be forced off displays

    No that's illegal and carrys a pretty hefty fine from what I remember.

    Leitner on
  • japanjapan Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    12gauge wrote: »
    The_Scarab wrote: »
    Aldo wrote: »
    The_Scarab wrote: »
    Shit, now I wont be able to buy the game I had no intention of buying anyways.


    Also, to all those who are like 'why is the government thinking for me' you should think long and hard about this game and what its release would mean.
    Err, it's release would mean there would just be another violent vidjagame we can use a scapegoat whenever someone <29 kills a person.

    except unlike previous videogames who only feature violent themes this game features violent murders that you perform like for like with the Wiimote.

    Which, is not a scapegoat it is a legitimate reason for it to be banned.

    nb: it is also banned in australia.

    I am wondering what Germany will do - will they just ban the sale to people under the age of 18 or will they make it illegal to sell it at all. And I am pretty sure at least one special bavarian minister of interior will go crazy about that "Killerspiel".

    Doesn't Germany have some really wacky criteria for restricting games? I seem to recall something about not being allowed to portray violence against people (they have to be robots, or zombies, or something).

    japan on
  • 12gauge12gauge Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Leitner wrote: »
    Glal wrote: »
    *the only exception are those with Nazi symbolism, and even then it might simply be forced off displays

    No that's legal and carrys a pretty hefty fine from what I remember.

    No Nazi symbols in games, as games are not considered art. No exceptions - EA got in deep shit because the packaging of Medal of Honor had screens from the english version.

    Edit: Because I am not ordering from germany usually and I am over eighteen anyway, I am not quite sure how it works (law was changed a few years ago). Basically, as far as I remember, the BPjS (Bundesprüfstelle für jugendgefährendende Schriften), same thing as the BFCC, checks every game by watching a "highlight reel" of the violence within, then slaps an age restriction on it. Until a few years ago, there was the possibility that a game was "indiziert" immediately - that means no commercials and no open sale, sale restricted to adults under the counter. Possession was still legal, as was selling to adults. This rarely happens anymore (or at all, as mentioned, law changed and I am not sure), because they got a new rating (basically a MA rating).

    12gauge on
    davidoc0.jpg
Sign In or Register to comment.