Manhunt 2 coming to the Wii...

[Fryguy64]

Now that IS interesting. Looks like the whole game is going to have to be toned down if they want to release it at all.

I sense heavy delays.

[Blueberry_pie]

What's also interesting is that according to the ESRB's website, AO-rated games are only for people over 18. While in Europe, there have been 9 GameCube games that recieved an 18+ rating from PEGI. I understand that Nintendo refuses to allow certain games because of the content and not the minimum age requirement, but it still seems kind of weird.

EDIT: Uh whoops, I first had '47 GameCube games that recieved an 18+ rating'. Where the heck did I come up with that!?

[Fryguy64]

The certification system in Europe is VERY different though. The PEGI rating system is not legally binding. This is why in recent years, any game the PEGI deems to have 15+ content must also be submitted for a BBFC certificate.

The BBFC is legally binding, and applies to all games, TV shows and movies sold commercially. The retailer is forbidden by law to sell the game below that age.

No such regulations exist in the US, where "AO" cannot be enforced legally, because of some liberal mumbo jumbo about freedom of expression. If they just made the age ratings in America legally enforcable, then over 18s would be free to play content for over 18s. I'm not surprised NoA and Sony don't want AO games on their consoles.

Although it is pretty mad that the BBFC didn't rate the game... they usually rate anything. If they've refused then it must be really messed up. They haven't done that since the "video nasties" of the 80s.

[Ike-Mike]

The ultra-violent videogame Manhunt 2 allows you to rape a woman shortly after you beheaded her in the brothel level called Honey Pot. Members of the ESRB were shocked when Daniel Lamb used his male reproduction organ and simulated a penetration in the bloody hole. Other gruesome parts include microwaving a living cat to death and being a witness of necrophilia in a cemetery in one of the later stage of the game.

Making a game gorey because you can't do it in another way is one thing. Making a game gorey for the sake of making it gorey is another.

[mrmolecule]

Yikes! So, Rockstar can...

a) cancel it totally
b) tone it down drastically (likely)
c) convince the ESRB not to put it AO (unlikely)

[Wildcat]

News Link

Rockstar's delayed the game indefinitely from what I've read (scroll down a little ways). I did not hear about the rape/cat/necro thing before though. Rockstar's quoted to say that they think their game is normal. If that kind of stuff is indeed in the game, I would hate to see what their definition of "not normal" is...oy.

[thores]

sobmic said:

The ultra-violent videogame Manhunt 2 allows you to rape a woman shortly after you beheaded her in the brothel level called Honey Pot. Members of the ESRB were shocked when Daniel Lamb used his male reproduction organ and simulated a penetration in the bloody hole. Other gruesome parts include microwaving a living cat to death and being a witness of necrophilia in a cemetery in one of the later stage of the game.

Making a game gorey because you can't do it in another way is one thing. Making a game gorey for the sake of making it gorey is another.

Hey, can I have a link to the source of that quote? I'd appreciate it, thanks.

EDIT: Decided to look this up myself. Turns out that quote isn't real, it was a hoax by a poster named {Mike} on NeoGAF. He eventually admitted that he made the whole thing up as a joke, but not before it spread around the internet. : P

[Dances in Undergarments]

Ah, neogaf.

Its Metal Gear Solid Triology all over again.

[Fryguy64]

I was going to ask for a quote, as it sounded like tabloid shlock. Rockstar may be mad in the head, but they're not Quentin Tarantino mad in the head. At least not yet...

[Smashchu]

Nintendo and the ESRB are really hammering Rockstar. Thy deserve it in a way. It's all coming back.

[Nester the Lark]

I wouldn't say they deserve it, but I think the whole thing is a good check. The ESRB and the industry as a whole have been accused of being irresponsible with violent (and to a lesser extent, sexual) game content. Then there's that looming suggestion of federal involvement. So, to me, this is a nice example of the industry showing its own natural threshold. It's the system in action.

Rockstar, or any other developer, has the right to make and sell games in the US that are as violent (or sexual) as it sees fit. It's considered free expression, and thus protected under the first amendment. However, there are, in fact, consequences to creating such a game. If the ESRB sees fit to rate a game AO, then it is the prerogative of large retailers to choose not to carry those games, as well as the prerogative of Sony and Nintendo not allow them to be published on their consoles. So, it shows developers like Rockstar that there is a certain amount of responsibility involved, whether or not there's a Jack Thompson breathing down their necks.

[Nester the Lark]

Just when I thought Manhunt 2 would be shelved indefinitely, it looks like a "modified" version of it has finally been given an accessible M rating by the ESRB and is set for release this Halloween (October 31).

Source: Next Generation

Ever get the feeling that Manhunt 2 will be one of those games that, like Night Trap, will be remembered more for its controversy than anything else?

[TV Eye]

I personally don't think they should sell a game like this. GTA was fine with me, I knew I was playing a game, and it was all fine and dandy. But necrophilia is a touchy subject, as is rape. This seems like a game that's coming out for shock value and money.

I'm disgraced. It's just another reason for people to blame video games for their violent/(now)sexual acts.

[Nester the Lark]

^ Actually, as far as I know, the reports about the main character raping corpses was false. Someone was just spreading rumors.

[Smashchu]

coreywoods said:

Ever get the feeling that Manhunt 2 will be one of those games that, like Night Trap, will be remembered more for its controversy than anything else?

Yes, but not how you put it. but the fact that they both amke me LAWL.

Night Trap's controvercy was really stupid though.