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Manhunt 2's ban has been appealed

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Posts

  • RookRook Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    Drez wrote: »
    Hodj wrote: »
    Ah, but in our eyes Rami, the one with stunted moral development is the one trying to enforce their moral code onto artists and the consumer base, instead of allowing those people's the right of allowing their own moral code to determine where they spend the money they earned in their trade.

    Amen. My nation is all about freedom of religion (and therefore, the freedom to determine what is moral, as long as others are not harmed).

    I'm equally appalled when we have nonsense like the Hot Coffee and Oblivion stuff.

    Oblivion...stuff? Did I miss something?

    The game was rerated "M" because modders can make nude mods for it (like pretty much every other game ever).

    A true /facepalm moment.


    "The pertinent content causing the change in the ESRB rating involves more detailed depictions of blood and gore than were considered in the original rating of the game (the game already carried a Blood and Gore content descriptor), as well as the presence in the PC version of the game of a locked-out art file that, if accessed by using an apparently unauthorized third party tool, allows the user to play the game with topless versions of female characters. The locked-out topless skin was found by ESRB to exist in a fully rendered form on the game disc, but is not accessible in the Xbox 360� version of the game."

    I think it was mainly a fuck up on the violence/gore rating rather than the latter.

    Rook on
  • Randall_FlaggRandall_Flagg Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    The_Scarab wrote: »
    Banning Manhunt is in my opinion setting a precedent. A good one. Just like with all media, literature, films and TV, games should not be exempt from respectable and regulated censorship.

    quotin dis from the first page

    it is awesome because he is trying to take the moral high ground
    by advocating censorship

    Randall_Flagg on
  • GyralGyral Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    I like how the bastion of gaming news, Yahoo is quick to report on this. And at the bottom of the news is this:
    Take-Two shares rose a penny to $18.06 in midday trading.

    Good to know that the shareholders don't give a shit about this game.

    Gyral on
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  • ZombiemamboZombiemambo Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    Well, if I was in a position where I would take the blame for school shootings or any act of violence that could have been caused by a videogame (or "killing simulator" as Jack affectionately calls them), I wouldn't hesitate to ban a game like Manhunt 2.

    Zombiemambo on
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  • YardGnomeYardGnome Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    Rook wrote: »
    Drez wrote: »
    Hodj wrote: »
    Ah, but in our eyes Rami, the one with stunted moral development is the one trying to enforce their moral code onto artists and the consumer base, instead of allowing those people's the right of allowing their own moral code to determine where they spend the money they earned in their trade.

    Amen. My nation is all about freedom of religion (and therefore, the freedom to determine what is moral, as long as others are not harmed).

    I'm equally appalled when we have nonsense like the Hot Coffee and Oblivion stuff.

    Oblivion...stuff? Did I miss something?

    The game was rerated "M" because modders can make nude mods for it (like pretty much every other game ever).

    A true /facepalm moment.


    "The pertinent content causing the change in the ESRB rating involves more detailed depictions of blood and gore than were considered in the original rating of the game (the game already carried a Blood and Gore content descriptor), as well as the presence in the PC version of the game of a locked-out art file that, if accessed by using an apparently unauthorized third party tool, allows the user to play the game with topless versions of female characters. The locked-out topless skin was found by ESRB to exist in a fully rendered form on the game disc, but is not accessible in the Xbox 360� version of the game."

    I think it was mainly a fuck up on the violence/gore rating rather than the latter.

    They came up with a bullshit excuse on the blood and gore to change it for the nude stuff. I do like that Bethesda refused to patch it or change anything.

    YardGnome on
  • ZiggymonZiggymon Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    All i can say was where were the outcries when the EU banned Rule of Rose even after it had recieved a standard BBFC and PEGI rating ?
    Because it wasn't such a stellar upcoming release , no one gives a fuck when it gets banned.

    And in the end thats what counts to the BBFC in particular. Look at how much they gave in to peer pressure over the movie ratings with two famous examples giving them seperate classifications just to let a wider audience experience them;

    Batman (Tim Burton) was supposed to have a 15 age rating which caused an outcry from the cinemas and public because a younger audience couldn't watch it. BBFC decided to enlist a new 12 age rating.

    Spiderman movie again had a similar outcry from getting a 12 age rating eventually BBFC gave a new 12A rating meaning anyone can watch it under 12 aslong as they are with an adult.

    And finally after the Jamie Bulger (sp) killing the whole media frenzy over the video nasties got literally hundreds of horror movies that had passed rating and were in the shops banned by the BBFC.

    If Manhunt 2 wants to be on the shops in the UK then you have to create a genuine public outcry over its banning. Or get the retail industry putting pressure over the prevention of release which is causing massive loss of business to the retail industry. And Manhunt 2 just won't make enough money in retailers eyes so they won't be too bothered.

    Ziggymon on
  • japanjapan Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    Ziggymon wrote: »
    All i can say was where were the outcries when the EU banned Rule of Rose even after it had recieved a standard BBFC and PEGI rating ?

    :?:

    It wasn't banned. Some Italian Minister just got on his high horse about it and the tabloids went nuts. The Publisher pulled the release in the UK and Australia, but it still got a PAL release.

    japan on
  • ZiggymonZiggymon Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    japan wrote: »
    Ziggymon wrote: »
    All i can say was where were the outcries when the EU banned Rule of Rose even after it had recieved a standard BBFC and PEGI rating ?

    :?:

    It wasn't banned. Some Italian Minister just got on his high horse about it and the tabloids went nuts. The Publisher pulled the release in the UK and Australia, but it still got a PAL release.

    The more you know eh? Still has about a similar sense of stupidity of whats happening though .
    Manhunt 2 is getting released in some EU countries last time I heard it got passed in a few right? Still Take Two will probably pull the game if it gets banned in the biggest market areas.

    The facts still stand with how much BBFC gives in to peer pressure though.

    Ziggymon on
  • RookRook Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    Ziggymon wrote: »
    japan wrote: »
    Ziggymon wrote: »
    All i can say was where were the outcries when the EU banned Rule of Rose even after it had recieved a standard BBFC and PEGI rating ?

    :?:

    It wasn't banned. Some Italian Minister just got on his high horse about it and the tabloids went nuts. The Publisher pulled the release in the UK and Australia, but it still got a PAL release.

    The more you know eh? Still has about a similar sense of stupidity of whats happening though .
    Manhunt 2 is getting released in some EU countries last time I heard it got passed in a few right? Still Take Two will probably pull the game if it gets banned in the biggest market areas.

    The facts still stand with how much BBFC gives in to peer pressure though.

    I don't think "giving in to peer pressure" is quite the right way of putting it. The point of the BBFC is that it needs to move with public opinion and standards, they're not set in stone. Hence the derestrictions on many films as they get re-rated.

    I think the 12 and 12A rating in particular where things already on the drawing board and just got accelerated a little bit with the aforementioned films.

    Rook on
  • darleysamdarleysam On my way to UKRegistered User regular
    edited October 2007
    The_Scarab wrote: »
    Banning Manhunt is in my opinion setting a precedent. A good one. Just like with all media, literature, films and TV, games should not be exempt from respectable and regulated censorship.

    quotin dis from the first page

    it is awesome because he is trying to take the moral high ground
    by advocating censorship

    Well at the end of the day, if the BBFC aren't perceived as doing anything effective, they'll be ditched and replaced by someone else. If this shows that they are able to set a precedent and aren't afraid to halt the release of a game that they don't deem safe for public consumption, then that may be a better alternative. Personally, i believe in creative expression and i don't like the idea of developers feeling the need to compromise that for the difference of having their game sold or not. If they choose to make a game that is bleak and depressing, then that should be a creative decision, not a fiscal one. But with the controversy that was kicked up after the first Manhunt was released, making Manhunt 2 even more violent and visceral was always going to result in a hard sell to the censorship board.

    darleysam on
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  • MisanthropicMisanthropic Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    Rating Boards should exists to inform the populace as to the contents of the media only. Ratings Boards should not have the power to restrict the production, sale or purchase of any media by any adult*. It doesn't matter if it is actual censorship or as a result of the rating given that makes it unavailable to the public. This type of censorship is both stifling to the human spirit as an entity of creation and inherently detrimental to any democratic process.

    As to those who would object, keep in mind the First Amendment is the First Amendment for a reason. Without the ability to freely express ideas - that is, to say, without the freedom of the brain - we have no freedom. It does not matter if you can walk from border to border within your nation, be it a Union of States or a Union of Kingdoms, if you cannot thusly exercise man's most powerful organ - the brain - then your freedom is in name only, as you walk in the shadow of ignorance.

    * Child pornography and snuff films are obviously not included, as other human beings are harmed in their creation. Just the same as a painting, in blood, on stretched, dried human skin of a victim wouldn't be art (it would be evidence), so would pictures and film of the former.

    Misanthropic on
  • LewiePLewieP Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    * Child pornography and snuff films are obviously not included, as other human beings are harmed in their creation. Just the same as a painting, in blood, on stretched, dried human skin of a victim wouldn't be art (it would be evidence), so would pictures and film of the former.

    What about a film depicting rape, if seen by an individual who has experianced rape, might be distressing?
    I don't agree with what I just said, but I am not sure why, could you humour me playing devils advocate, it would be interesting to hear your opinion.


    Also, Zappa is great

    LewieP on
  • RookRook Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    LewieP wrote: »
    * Child pornography and snuff films are obviously not included, as other human beings are harmed in their creation. Just the same as a painting, in blood, on stretched, dried human skin of a victim wouldn't be art (it would be evidence), so would pictures and film of the former.

    What about a film depicting rape, if seen by an individual who has experianced rape, might be distressing?
    I don't agree with what I just said, but I am not sure why, could you humour me playing devils advocate, it would be interesting to hear your opinion.


    Also, Zappa is great

    I think the weird twist is more in the simulated child porn (or any game released in japan). Say for example there was a game called "Micheal Jackson's Secret Playpen" or something. I mean if none of it is real, where's the harm? So you have the bizarre tenuous arguement that seeing simulated people abuse children might encourage it, but seeing simulated people murder each other does not.

    Rook on
  • MisanthropicMisanthropic Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    LewieP wrote: »
    What about a film depicting rape, if seen by an individual who has experianced rape, might be distressing?

    That is the purpose of Ratings Boards. They give the film a rating, which I would assume to be R, because of strong sexual content and depictions of rape. Then, said rape victim can look at the rating before viewing the movie and say to themselves "Depictions of rape? That makes me uncomfortable. I will pass on this movie. I hope others enjoy the artistic message, I however won't be able to because of my past."

    In a perfect world.

    In our world, however, said rape victim would see the fucking movie anyway (pun intended) and the get the Fundamentalist Christian Coalition to lobby every fucking congressman, woman and child to ban the film, dismantle the company that made it and scorn any heathen that had a hand in its production or consumption.

    Misanthropic on
  • LewiePLewieP Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    Yes, I agree, thank you.

    LewieP on
  • CouscousCouscous Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    * Child pornography and snuff films are obviously not included, as other human beings are harmed in their creation. Just the same as a painting, in blood, on stretched, dried human skin of a victim wouldn't be art (it would be evidence), so would pictures and film of the former.
    Painting in blood on stretched, dried human skin could be art. It sounds like something Joel Peter Witkin would make.

    Couscous on
  • MisanthropicMisanthropic Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    Rook wrote: »
    I think the weird twist is more in the simulated child porn (or any game released in japan). Say for example there was a game called "Micheal Jackson's Secret Playpen" or something. I mean if none of it is real, where's the harm? So you have the bizarre tenuous arguement that seeing simulated people abuse children might encourage it, but seeing simulated people murder each other does not.

    I don't have a problem with any video game being made that doesn't directly harm another human being. Would I find that video game to be distasteful? Yes. Would I buy that video game? No. Would I defend anyone creating, selling or buying that video game? You bet your ass I would.

    The argument that certain pieces of media have a profound affect on the human psyche is one hundred percent true. We laugh and cry all the time as a result of experiencing movies, books and video games. However, taking the argument further and saying that certain pieces of media are the sole reason people do specific things is ridiculous. Playing Mario does not make me a fucking plumber, reading Lord of the Rings does not make me want to wear fucking jewelry and watching Fight Club does not make me want to get punched in the fucking face.

    Misanthropic on
  • MisanthropicMisanthropic Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    titmouse wrote: »
    * Child pornography and snuff films are obviously not included, as other human beings are harmed in their creation. Just the same as a painting, in blood, on stretched, dried human skin of a victim wouldn't be art (it would be evidence), so would pictures and film of the former.
    Painting in blood on stretched, dried human skin could be art. It sounds like something Joel Peter Witkin would make.

    It's all fine if it was donated and no human being was harmed. I was, however, using it as an example in which a person was harmed in the creation.

    As Truman Capote would say, "murrrrrderrrrr."

    Misanthropic on
  • Randall_FlaggRandall_Flagg Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    I think we all need to stop lying to ourselves and acknowledge that we would all relish a chance to play "Michael Jackson's Secret Playpen"

    Randall_Flagg on
  • ZiggymonZiggymon Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    Rook wrote: »
    Ziggymon wrote: »
    japan wrote: »
    Ziggymon wrote: »
    All i can say was where were the outcries when the EU banned Rule of Rose even after it had recieved a standard BBFC and PEGI rating ?

    :?:

    It wasn't banned. Some Italian Minister just got on his high horse about it and the tabloids went nuts. The Publisher pulled the release in the UK and Australia, but it still got a PAL release.

    The more you know eh? Still has about a similar sense of stupidity of whats happening though .
    Manhunt 2 is getting released in some EU countries last time I heard it got passed in a few right? Still Take Two will probably pull the game if it gets banned in the biggest market areas.

    The facts still stand with how much BBFC gives in to peer pressure though.

    I don't think "giving in to peer pressure" is quite the right way of putting it. The point of the BBFC is that it needs to move with public opinion and standards, they're not set in stone. Hence the derestrictions on many films as they get re-rated.

    I think the 12 and 12A rating in particular where things already on the drawing board and just got accelerated a little bit with the aforementioned films.

    The 12A rating has been on the cards to speak for about 12 years maybe even longer. I know the term circulated back when Jurassic park got released under a PG rating despite containing scenes under normal circumstances the BBFC would have put into a higher age rating system. Again happened with the first Lord of the Rings film.

    And honestly these changes were made for the better with in particular finally giving power to the parents in letting children see particular films.

    But look at the facts of all the films each one was already hyped to become a major blockbuster before it was even shown the potential for each films revenue was massive, and lots of the marketing was towards children.

    You think the BBFC would do the same for a lower budget film?

    The same applies to videogames if Halo 3 was bleak and contained content similar to Manhunt 2 would it be banned in a similar fashion? maybe. Personally I'd doubt it would happen giving on how much interest the series had for consumers, microsoft and retailers.

    Its going to be far more interesting to see how the BBFC reacts to GTA 4.

    Ziggymon on
  • LewiePLewieP Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
  • TubeTube Registered User admin
    edited October 2007
    If you don't want to read it, just imagine any interesting questions you'd like to ask and then imagine he answered "I'm afraid I can't talk about it, it's under appeal"

    Tube on
  • RoyceSraphimRoyceSraphim Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    tl;dr

    BBFC: Why would you continue to try and publish this game? You know we won't let you.

    Rockstar ____: Cause we made it and invested a lot of time and money into it.

    BBFC: But why would you make it? Why make this violent and dark game?

    Rockstar ____: Because one can only play the hero for so long before they wonder how to play the villain. Rather than making a hero that people would make evil on their own, we make a decent man in an evil situation that you can choose to make good or evil. Yes you have to kill some people, but the true interest in this and certain "other" games is the people you choose not to kill. This is the latest expression of choice and free will in gaming, do you choose the path of salvation or of damnation? How far are you willing to go to get home? How far will you go to survive?

    BBFC: You're full of shit, smeg off!

    Rockstar ____: No, you smeg off!

    BBFC: No, you!

    Rockstar ____: No, you!

    BBFC: No, you!

    Rockstar ____: No, you!

    BBFC: No, you!

    Rockstar ____: No, you!

    BBFC: No, you!

    Rockstar ____: Well, you just stopped us from selling it here, we can sell it in other countries and who knows what will happen then. 8-)

    RoyceSraphim on
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  • ZephyrZephyr Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    so i heard Rockstar was going to have MH2 downloadable in the UK as a loophole on the ratings.

    truth y/n?

    Zephyr on
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  • CouscousCouscous Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    Zephyr wrote: »
    so i heard Rockstar was going to have MH2 downloadable in the UK as a loophole on the ratings.

    truth y/n?

    The game isn't coming to the PC so no.

    Couscous on
  • TubeTube Registered User admin
    edited October 2007
    Well none of us work at rockstar. A PC version would be awesome though.

    edit: t zephyr

    Tube on
  • LewiePLewieP Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    Zephyr wrote: »
    so i heard Rockstar was going to have MH2 downloadable in the UK as a loophole on the ratings.

    truth y/n?

    Not without Nintendo/Sony's permission.

    (althought they could on PC)

    LewieP on
  • FreddyDFreddyD Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    LewieP wrote: »
    What about a film depicting rape, if seen by an individual who has experianced rape, might be distressing?

    That is the purpose of Ratings Boards. They give the film a rating, which I would assume to be R, because of strong sexual content and depictions of rape. Then, said rape victim can look at the rating before viewing the movie and say to themselves "Depictions of rape? That makes me uncomfortable. I will pass on this movie. I hope others enjoy the artistic message, I however won't be able to because of my past."

    In a perfect world.

    In our world, however, said rape victim would see the fucking movie anyway (pun intended) and the get the Fundamentalist Christian Coalition to lobby every fucking congressman, woman and child to ban the film, dismantle the company that made it and scorn any heathen that had a hand in its production or consumption.
    This is pretty much what happens any time someone is offended enough to complain. The greatest human urge is that to censor. However, in America, the first amendment protects many things that may be offensive. In fact, you could argue that it was intended for things that were offensive since no one is going to go out of their way to censor something unoffensive and pleasant.

    FreddyD on
  • RoyceSraphimRoyceSraphim Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    LewieP wrote: »


    I love that guy's analysis about Jack Thompson at the end.

    RoyceSraphim on
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  • TubeTube Registered User admin
    edited October 2007
    It's a really good interview actually, I shouldn't have been so flippant.

    Tube on
  • DaedalusDaedalus Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    Ziggymon wrote: »
    Its going to be far more interesting to see how the BBFC reacts to GTA 4.

    Unless GTA4 got changed into a Manhunt-esque interactive snuff film and they just haven't told us yet, it'll probably get an 18 like the last, what, seven GTA games? edit: forgot GTAA and London. Nine GTA games.

    I mean, really. They banned two games in the past twenty-odd years. Yes, it sucks and they really shouldn't have, that's not the point I'm making; unless GTA4 turned into Manhunt 3 when nobody was looking, it won't be banned.

    Daedalus on
  • LewiePLewieP Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    It's a really good interview actually, I shouldn't have been so flippant.

    Yeah, you have to perserveer, but it gets quite good.

    LewieP on
  • XagarathXagarath Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    That is indeed a good interview.
    Thats for posting it, Lewie!

    Xagarath on
  • urahonkyurahonky Cynical Old Man Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    JC: Yes. In fact, in Mass Effect there is a lesbian sex scene that you can have if you happen to set up your character as a woman in the first place.

    Well, I'm buying the game now. The inner pervert in me can't help but to be intrigued by something like this.
    Only slightly joking, I can't afford that damn game.

    urahonky on
  • Dr Mario KartDr Mario Kart Games Dealer Austin, TXRegistered User regular
    edited October 2007
    Maybe they should release Hostel the game for ps2, and its just the movie, but before anything bad happens, you have to press a button to proceed with the movie.

    Dr Mario Kart on
  • Duchess ProzacDuchess Prozac Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    Maybe they should release Hostel the game for ps2, and its just the movie, but before anything bad happens, you have to press a button to proceed with the movie.

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you have to do that with the DVD anyway?

    Duchess Prozac on
  • DarkWarriorDarkWarrior __BANNED USERS regular
    edited October 2007
    Maybe they should release Hostel the game for ps2, and its just the movie, but before anything bad happens, you have to press a button to proceed with the movie.

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you have to do that with the DVD anyway?

    I think thats his point.

    DarkWarrior on
  • TubeTube Registered User admin
    edited October 2007
    I think if his point is "DVDs are interactive too! You have to press a button!" his point is facile beyond belief.

    Tube on
  • PancakePancake Registered User regular
    edited October 2007
    The comments after the interview are making my brain cells die.

    A lot of them completely miss the point of what the guy was saying and stick their own badly spelled spin on his comments and they seem to assume that he said the opposite of what he actually said.

    Pancake on
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  • Dr Mario KartDr Mario Kart Games Dealer Austin, TXRegistered User regular
    edited October 2007
    no no. Just to get some sort of thing on a gaming platform that is on par with the movies. If they let it pass, then they've got to reconcile that its worse than things that they ban. If they dont let it pass, then they've banned what is essentially, the movie.

    Dr Mario Kart on
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