Do you think manhunt 2 will be released on time?

[Richter Belmount]

I was hoping the game would coime out this month but we all know about its ban due to its Ao rating. The game is complete but not allowed for distribution and sale in its current state. (though i very much doubt its more violent then its predecessor.

[Kid Ice]

Then....no.

[udisi]

I could have sworn I saw on G4 that they've pulled the plug on the game completly now. I could be wrong, but I think they cancelled it.

[Anthony1]

not a chance. I'm just hoping one of the disgruntled programers leaks it onto the internet, so at least somebody can enjoy their creativity. The problem with Manhunt 2, is the fact that it would not be an easy job for them to neuter it, to get it down to a M rating. The reason it got a AO rating is because of many of the key gameplay elements. If you strip all that stuff out, then what the fuck do you have left?

[leicamaster]

Well the only option is to release it on the PC instead.
I wanted it for the Wii

[sabre2922]

I really wanted this for PS2.

I think there is a SLIGHT possibility that Rockstar could rework the game to get an M rating but would it still be the same game that they initially intended? Only Rockstar knows.

[joedick]

I think a delay is guaranteed. From a Take-Two rep:

Take-Two Interactive Software has temporarily suspended plans to distribute Manhunt 2 for the Wii or PlayStation platforms while it reviews its options with regard to the recent decisions made by the British Board of Film Classification and Entertainment Software Rating Board. We continue to stand behind this extraordinary game. We believe in freedom of creative expression, as well as responsible marketing, both of which are essential to our business of making great entertainment.

[roushimsx]

The problem with Manhunt 2, is the fact that it would not be an easy job for them to neuter it, to get it down to a M rating. The reason it got a AO rating is because of many of the key gameplay elements. If you strip all that stuff out, then what the fuck do you have left?

I still think that this is all a manufactured publicity stunt. As I understand it, the ESRB doesn't play through the games, they rely on the publisher to provide them to a highlight reel of the game and they just rate based off of that. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if Rockstar had edited their demo reel to be as violent and over the top as possible just so that they can get this free publicity.

The ESRB ratings are all a crock of shit anyway. A bulk of the AO stuff would only be rated R if they were movies rather than the gaming equivalent of "X" (completely skipping any sort of NC-17 rating equivalency).

Before I get too excited for the game, who is developing it anyway? Rockstar North is busy with GTA IV, right?

[Slate]

Hopefully if it is downgraded they'll release an "Uncut" Version or something.

[jajaja]

Hopefully if it is downgraded they'll release an "Uncut" Version or something.

I dont think that will happend. If a uncut version is comming its probly like the version that excist today, then it will still have an AO rating that Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft refuse to release on their systems. A PC/MAC version is pretty much the only option left then.

[zektor]

These rating boards need to get off it...really.

I live in the USA, and freedom of choice, freedom of speech, and freedom of expression is what we are supposed to be built upon.

It all goes back to one simple conclusion. If you think it is too "adult", well, don't buy it. At least give me the choice for goodness sake.

[Richter Belmount]

Well atleast I hope rockstars response to this does some good. They argued that their gamers arent worse than a rated r movie,

[200609]

I think a lot of people see video games as "childrens toys". My mother says she thinks something is wrong with me because I "still play video games" (I still live with my parents, I'm only 20, too young to be out on my own ). I don't understand the whole "no Ao" rating thing. Do Sony and Nintendo honestly think there's anything to be gained from refusing licensing to Ao games? "Oh no, parents won't let their 6 yo use our psx because there are Ao games available for it!" That's the only reason I can see for it, maintaining the company image. And besides, if that *is* their line of reasoning, then they better implement a system whereby porn and Texas Chainsaw is unplayable on their dvd players and tvs. Otherwise, parents might not let children use those products (but then, I certainly wouldn't buy them). Who knows. I want Manhunt 2.

[Richter Belmount]

^
Shit I can imagine the parents now.

No Johnny put down daddys playboy , here kid play with this (hands him manhunt 2 for nintendo wii)

[smork]

I dont think that will happend. If a uncut version is comming its probly like the version that excist today, then it will still have an AO rating that Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft refuse to release on their systems. A PC/MAC version is pretty much the only option left then.

I know Sony and Nintendo said no to AO games, but I didn't think MS did. In Japan there are several Z-rated games for the XBOX (Z = 18+, same as an AO). I even remembering reading an article about the 360 becoming the home of more adult games that wouldn't be as welcome on the other consoles.

Just curious -- 360 seems to skew much more adult and hardcore than Wii/PS3...

[jajaja]

I know Sony and Nintendo said no to AO games, but I didn't think MS did. In Japan there are several Z-rated games for the XBOX (Z = 18+, same as an AO). I even remembering reading an article about the 360 becoming the home of more adult games that wouldn't be as welcome on the other consoles.

Just curious -- 360 seems to skew much more adult and hardcore than Wii/PS3...

I've heard MS didnt allow AO games on their consoles. Going by PEGI, 18+ and AO isnt exactly the same. For exaxmple, God of War 1 and 2 got 18+ PEGI rating in Europe, but both were released without any problems afaik, but these 2 games got M rating in USA. So it seems that 18+ both covers M and AO rating. PEGI.info shows 116 entries for PS2 with 18+ rating. Xbox 360 has 21 entries with 18+ rating. I guess its something simular in Japan, with the rating that is.

[heybtbm]

These rating boards need to get off it...really.

I live in the USA, and freedom of choice, freedom of speech, and freedom of expression is what we are supposed to be built upon.

It all goes back to one simple conclusion. If you think it is too "adult", well, don't buy it. At least give me the choice for goodness sake.

Agreed. This situation reveals the game rating system as absurd and obsolete. If a game is rated "M", kids shouldn't have access to it. End of story. What else is there to know?

Add to this, the cowardly retail stores that won't sell "AO" rated games, yet sell "NR" DVD's. The whole situation is becoming one of those ridiculous double standards that our society loves to create, but never fix.

[hbkprm]

y'all debating about content ratings over videogames round the world but it should lie within the people not the governments