View Full Version : Manhunt 2 lands m rating for Halloween
sabre2922
08-24-2007, 04:21 PM
http://kotaku.com/gaming/manhunt-2/m...ase-293084.php (http://kotaku.com/gaming/manhunt-2/manhunt-2-lands-m-rating-for-halloween-release-293084.php)
Manhunt 2 Receives "M" Rating
ESRB rating assignment clears the way for October 2007 North American release
New York, NY - August 24, 2007 - Rockstar Games today announced it will release Manhunt 2 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, and the Wii™ home video game system from Nintendo in North America on October 31, 2007. This announcement follows the submission of a modified version of Manhunt 2 to the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), who has now rated the title "M" for Mature for ages 17 and older.
In June, Take-Two was compelled to suspend the release of the horror title when the ESRB issued an AO (Adults Only) rating.
"Manhunt 2 is important to us, and we're glad it can finally be appreciated as a gaming experience," said Sam Houser, founder and executive producer of Rockstar Games. "We love the horror genre. Manhunt 2 is a powerful piece of interactive story telling that is a unique video game experience. We think horror fans will love it."
le geek
08-24-2007, 05:04 PM
Whoohoo!!!!
Glad there is another 'mature' game back on the Wii.
Cheers,
Ben
diskoboy
08-24-2007, 05:34 PM
Screw that - I still want the AO version.
heybtbm
08-24-2007, 06:12 PM
The "AO" (18 yrs and up) game is now "M" (17 yrs and up)? Thank god, the 17 year olds are finally safe!
Ponyone
08-24-2007, 07:24 PM
This should sell briskly, what with all the free press it got from the ratings board.
Nice Halloween release date as well.
Can't wait.
SaturnFan
08-24-2007, 07:25 PM
They should sell 2 versions, the AO and the M rated. I wanted the AO version to be honest.
Xizer
08-24-2007, 07:34 PM
Another fine example of poor business management from Rockstar.
They could have easily pressured Sony into letting them release an AO edition on the PS2 and PSP by threatening to withhold Grand Theft Auto IV and "Stories" from their platforms.
They could have also brought the AO edition over to the PC.
If all else fails, there could always be a "leak" of the uncensored editions for the Wii, PS2, and PSP unto the Internet. Come on Rockstar. Don't let me down.
I'll most likely be picking this game up for the PS2 at some point.
vincewy
08-24-2007, 09:38 PM
I'm actually disappointed (despite the fact that I dislike games such as GTA and Manhunt), unless Sony and Nintendo don't allow AO-rated games. But it all comes down to business, they can't sell it at major retail chain if it's AO, now it's a watered down version.
sabre2922
08-25-2007, 01:28 AM
This should sell briskly, what with all the free press it got from the ratings board.
Nice Halloween release date as well.
Can't wait.
Agreed
badinsults
08-25-2007, 02:03 AM
I'm actually disappointed (despite the fact that I dislike games such as GTA and Manhunt), unless Sony and Nintendo don't allow AO-rated games. But it all comes down to business, they can't sell it at major retail chain if it's AO, now it's a watered down version.
Nintendo and Sony don't allow AO games. Hence it would never be released.
Xizer
08-25-2007, 03:45 AM
Nintendo and Sony don't allow AO games. Hence it would never be released.
Bullshit. It's not impossible.
Rockstar could have forced Sony to let them release it by threatening to withhold Grand Theft Auto IV. If that had failed, they could have released it without Sony's permission using an exploit. Since this is the PS2 we're talking about, Rockstar could have used an exploit or reverse engineered some code to let it run on unmodded PS2s, just like unlicensed cheat devices do (the Action Replay, CodeBreaker, GameShark, etc. - they're all unlicensed. How do you think they run on unmodded PS2s?)
shoes23
08-25-2007, 04:09 AM
Bullshit. It's not impossible.
Rockstar could have forced Sony to let them release it by threatening to withhold Grand Theft Auto IV. If that had failed, they could have released it without Sony's permission using an exploit. Since this is the PS2 we're talking about, Rockstar could have used an exploit or reverse engineered some code to let it run on unmodded PS2s, just like unlicensed cheat devices do (the Action Replay, CodeBreaker, GameShark, etc. - they're all unlicensed. How do you think they run on unmodded PS2s?)
Manhunt 2 available at your local...porno store. No major retailer would carry the game if it carried an AO rating, which was one of the major factors in Rockstar revising it's content. As far as Rockstar withholding GTA IV, that would be just about the stupidest move they could ever make. I mean think about it, why would they decide to forfeit selling millions of copies of their best franchise, just to allow a fraction of the people to play another game in it's unedited form. Besides, Sony doesn't stand to turn a huge profit by the release of GTA anyway. It might sell a few more consoles but according to them they are losing money on every console they sell.
Mangar
08-25-2007, 05:49 AM
I suspect we will be seeing the AO Version at a later date. Give it a 6 Months or so, and after everyone has purchased the M-Rated version, you will see a "Director's Cut" of Manhunt 2. Possibly for only one console and the PC, but we will see it.
There is also of course the internet. Most of your pirated software from the major groups tends to come from inside company sources, so the AO Version will eventually see the light of day in that fashion as well.
philosophyst
08-25-2007, 05:52 AM
Trailer LINK (http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=1475790&cl=2901726)
Xizer
08-25-2007, 06:38 AM
Besides, Sony doesn't stand to turn a huge profit by the release of GTA anyway. It might sell a few more consoles but according to them they are losing money on every console they sell.
So you're saying Sony's goal this generation is to sell as few PS3s as possible?
Actually, it makes sense! That must be their plan after all! I was wondering why they thought it would be a good idea to make the PS3 horrendously expensive and let Nintendo and Microsoft steal their domination of the market.
YoshiM
08-25-2007, 11:17 AM
How convenient. And a Halloween date too
What a great bit of publicity Rockstar has done. Thanks to them, the ESRB and those who want us to "think about the children" or the morality of the world, the negative hype on this game is going to make it a huge seller.
When I first heard about the AO rating the game was going to get, I smelled something fishy. After the big hoopla over Hot Coffee, after the Thompson tirade over Bully (which wasn't anywhere NEAR what was expected from what I heard) I figured if Rockstar was smart they'd stomp on those already frayed nerves to drum up interest in Manhunt 2. It's probably conspiracy theory type thinking but what better way to promote a violent game than to have a couple ratings boards give your title the "stamp of retail death"?
The word is out on the game. People who like that style of game are going to buy it. People who haven't played that type of game but are curious might buy it or at least give it a sniff just to see what the hub-bub is about. Then there are going to be those who want to tackle this game and try to crack it open to see if Rockstar slipped in some AO stuff (like Hot Coffee). Rockstar knew what they were doing when they turned in their ESRB tape and now they reap the rewards while looking like a victim.
hbkprm
08-25-2007, 12:49 PM
good that things finally worked out for take two
Gamereviewgod
08-25-2007, 01:26 PM
http://gamepolitics.com/2007/08/24/watchdog-group-calls-for-investigation-in-wake-of-manhunt-2-re-rate/
Campaign for a commercial free childhood now wants it re-rated by an independent source, i.e., them. Joy.
Gamereviewgod
08-25-2007, 01:29 PM
If that had failed, they could have released it without Sony's permission using an exploit. Since this is the PS2 we're talking about, Rockstar could have used an exploit or reverse engineered some code to let it run on unmodded PS2s, just like unlicensed cheat devices do (the Action Replay, CodeBreaker, GameShark, etc. - they're all unlicensed. How do you think they run on unmodded PS2s?)
Do you know the backlash the industry would get if that happened? Believe it or not, consoles don't have parental controls for AO rated titles. Think of the headline:
"Game company uses device to release adult games to children."
Hot Coffee was accesible the same way. Imagine if a full game was release using the same process with the stigma it now has.
Promophile
08-25-2007, 02:28 PM
Here's hoping for a AO rated PC version for sale exclusively from Rockstars website.
Xizer
08-26-2007, 04:55 AM
Do you know the backlash the industry would get if that happened? Believe it or not, consoles don't have parental controls for AO rated titles. Think of the headline:
"Game company uses device to release adult games to children."
Hot Coffee was accesible the same way. Imagine if a full game was release using the same process with the stigma it now has.
I. Don't. Care.
I would love for more backlash to happen. The sooner the better. People need to get over it. Once we get over the AO bullshit hurdle, it's another step towards being able to easily release "unrated" versions of games just like the movie industry releases "unrated" versions of movies.
I'm not scared of some douche spouting off on Fox News or some soccer mom starving for attention. The judges will ultimately strike down any laws attempting to ban video games for being unconstitutional.
diskoboy
08-26-2007, 12:57 PM
I'm not scared of some douche spouting off on Fox News or some soccer mom starving for attention. The judges will ultimately strike down any laws attempting to ban video games for being unconstitutional.
It really entertains me when people make broad generalizations about Fox news, and they don't even watch it. Everyone I've ever heard, on Fox News, when the VG discussion rears it's ugly heads, they seem to be the ones defending them - even that worthless piece of shit, Bill O'Riley defends video games.
You're anger is directed at the wrong people, Xizer. It was the democratic left (both Clinton's, Libermann, Gore's wife..) who seem to want to ban everything under the sun, lately.
heybtbm
08-26-2007, 02:29 PM
You're anger is directed at the wrong people, Xizer. It was the democratic left (both Clinton's, Libermann, Gore's wife..) who seem to want to ban everything under the sun, lately.
QFT.
It's the baby-boomer liberals who are the true censors of our time.
Rob2600
08-26-2007, 05:00 PM
I'm actually disappointed ... now it's a watered down version.
Are some people so desensitized to violence that they consider an M-rated version of Manhunt 2 a watered down disappointment?
Xizer
08-26-2007, 07:21 PM
even that worthless piece of shit, Bill O'Riley defends video games.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls3zj51X6vQ
Are some people so desensitized to violence that they consider an M-rated version of Manhunt 2 a watered down disappointment?
Umm...yes?
I remember the glory days of Ogrish.com before it turned into that LiveLeak bullshit... ahh... it was great.
I bet even an AO Manhunt 2 can't compare to Ogrish's gore.
Poofta!
08-27-2007, 02:12 AM
Screw that - I still want the AO version.
ditto
2Dskillz
08-27-2007, 06:49 AM
No one is getting a "watered down" version, you are getting the title as planned. This was all publicity work, using that bad boy image. They were still showing the game to the press even during the hiatus. It needed the boost in sales since GTA got pushed back.
Barbarianoutkast85
08-27-2007, 08:02 PM
I think it'll still rock without the AO rating.
Richter Belmount
08-27-2007, 11:26 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls3zj51X6vQ
Umm...yes?
.
Long live Hikikomori?
alxbly
02-25-2009, 07:00 PM
Sorry for the old thread bumpage but here's why. I'm probably gonna pick up Manhunt 2 in the next few weeks but I'm not sure which version to go for. It'll need to be either the PS2 or Wii version because I don't own a PSP.
Has anyone here played both versions? The PS2 version scrapes a slightly better score on Metacritic (http://www.metacritic.com/search/process?sort=relevance&termType=all&ts=manhunt+2&ty=0&x=0&y=0). From reading the reviews it seems that the Wii version is slightly more censored (executions are blurred out more on the Wii) but the framerate is more consistant. I'm not too bothered about motion controls so I guess it's the PS2 version I should get... unless there are any other differences?
Sorry for the old thread bumpage but here's why. I'm probably gonna pick up Manhunt 2 in the next few weeks but I'm not sure which version to go for. It'll need to be either the PS2 or Wii version because I don't own a PSP.
Has anyone here played both versions? The PS2 version scrapes a slightly better score on Metacritic (http://www.metacritic.com/search/process?sort=relevance&termType=all&ts=manhunt+2&ty=0&x=0&y=0). From reading the reviews it seems that the Wii version is slightly more censored (executions are blurred out more on the Wii) but the framerate is more consistant. I'm not too bothered about motion controls so I guess it's the PS2 version I should get... unless there are any other differences?
I'd like to think the Wii version has much better graphics. Please someone tell me it does.
Neil Koch
02-26-2009, 10:42 AM
IIRC there is a way to get the uncensored kill scenes on the Wii version. I'm at work right now, so I don't want to to a Google search for "uncensored kills"... probably wouldn't make the IT people happy :b
But at any rate, I'd recommend the Wii version over the PS2 version anyway. The game's fun, but without the motion controls for the kills, it's be fairly pedestrian stealth action.