The Sordid Saga of Manhunt 2

June 25, 2007

We're used to getting lots of swag from games publishers here at the IGN/GameSpy headquarters, but I'll never forget what we got in the mail when Rockstar was promoting the original Manhunt game: A branded garrote wire. You know, like you would use to strangle someone. That set the tone for a franchise that strove to be way, WAY over-the-top. (I didn't think you could even buy specially-made garrote wire. Much less get someone to slap a logo on it. WTF?)

But Manhunt 2, developed by Rockstar for Take-Two Interactive, will probably go down in history for triggering off a flurry of press and helping the industry decide just how far is too far. The story is ongoing, but this weekend saw a lot of ink splattered. Here's the latest:

Last week the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) declared that the game was unsuitable for sale in the U.K. That's the first time the BBFC had banned a videogame since 1997's Carmageddon (that ban was eventually overturned on appeal). On the other side of the Atlantic, the ESRB gave the game a preliminary rating of AO, "Adults Only." That effectively kills the game, since Neither Sony nor Nintendo will approve AO games for publication.


The two rulings forced Take-Two to put Manhunt 2 on hold. If you're staying on top of gaming news these days, you probably know that Take-Two is in a financial pinch -- the delay of the game caused a ripple in their financial forecast and sent investors scrambling. Although, as a lot of papers are reporting, the controversy around the title will probably boost demand when it comes out.

Despite delaying the game, Take-Two still defends the game as "a fine piece of art," and says that the game "fits squarely within the horror genre and was intended to do so." It's true, the game is immensely graphic. I mean, immensely graphic. But as this New York Times editorial points out, your mainstream R-rated horror movies are way worse.

Another twist to the story? One financial analyst points out that the ESRB may be unfairly singling Take-Two and Rockstar out for past 'sins,' such as the Hot Coffee debacle.


Here's my take on it: for Manhunt 2 to get an Adults-Only rating shows that the system is working. This is a game where you can not only stab, choke, bash, brain, eviscerate, and drown people but you can also use can use pliers to -- uh -- pull ... things. It's not rendered photorealistically but it's still immensely graphic. This is a game that is absolutely intended for adults who know what they're getting into when they pick up the box. It's the definition of the AO rating. That's what it's for!

I'd rather see games rated than banned outright; the BBFC refuses to rate the product, which makes it illegal to sell. Manhunt 2 may not be my type of game, but I would appreciate the option of deciding that for myself.

I do take some issue with Nintendo and Sony declaring that they won't approve any AO games for sale on their systems. It's their right to, but what it does is it forces the industry to try to cram more and more content into the M rating and makes the AO rating an effective ban. That's probably not a good long-term plan for the industry.

Now, are movies and games being held to different standards? Yes. And in my opinion that's not a bad thing -- I think games are a more powerful medium. Besides, it's not just the violence that people should look at, it's the context. In most horror movies, the horrific acts are done by the villain. In games, the worst of the horror is usually in the hands of the player. I think that's a big difference.

But you don't have to listen to my opinion; you've probably got thoughts of your own. Lemme hear 'em!

Watch Manhunt 2 Trailers on FilePlanet:

• Teaser Video
• Trailer #1
• Trailer #2

      -Fargo

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