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Changes made deemed to be insufficient with many kills retaining their original sadistic nature.
The British Board of Film Classification has today announced that it has rejected a revised revision of the video game Manhunt 2. The original version of the game was rejected in June.
"We recognise that the distributor has made changes to the game, but we do not consider that these go far enough to address our concerns about the original version. The impact of the revisions on the bleakness and callousness of tone, or the essential nature of the gameplay, is clearly insufficient. There has been a reduction in the visual detail in some of the 'execution kills', but in others they retain their original visceral and casually sadistic nature," said David Cooke, Director of the BBFC.
Cooke also notes: "We did make suggestions for further changes to the game, but the distributor has chosen not to make them, and as a result we have rejected the game on both platforms."
The BBFC's decision to reject the game follows the ESRB's ruling to grant the revised version of Manhunt 2 a 'mature' rating, enabling the game to go on sale in North America. North American gamers will be able to buy the game from October 31, 2007.
The BBFC has confirmed that "the decision on whether or not an appeal goes ahead lies with the distributor."
So that's that for the UK then, officially at least. I can't say I'm massively disappointed, I'd only want it for the curiosity value. As far as the wider issue of censorship and the 'nanny state' is concerned; whilst I believe we should be given the right to choose what entertainment media we consume, there should be limits. If they think it's unjustified violence and it's unnecessary well OK, I think I trust the BBFC enough to make the call.
The only thing that riles me is it might be construed as some sort of 'victory' by idiot papers. I can't stand the thought of some smug middle-class twerps thinking 'well that's one step in the right direction in banning all violent games'.
doesn't really bother me in the slightest, it looks a crap game and they are only trying to gain controversy with the "sadistic" style of the game
GTA and Bully are obviously similar (being Rockstar production games), but Manhunt just looks much sicker looking and I'm not exactly someone who has a problem with violence in games/films
Surely a better approach is to give it either an R or X rating (or whatever the UK equivalent is).
R = 18+, can be sold in normal stores.
X = 18+, can only be sold in special adult stores.
Surely that removes the issue of children getting their hands on it (at least as much as it does for hardcore pornography) and prevents banning something that is essentially free expression.
Time for another public debate on computer game violence:
Quote:
Games violence study is launched
The government is asking for evidence for a new study of the effect of violent computer games on children.
Psychologist Tanya Byron will head the study, which will also examine how to protect children from online material.
The review is due to be launched by Dr Byron - together with Schools Secretary Ed Balls and Culture Secretary James Purnell - at a school in east London.
The games industry's association Elspa said it would co-operate - but it was too often blamed for society's ills.
Paul Jackson, of Elspa (the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers' Association), said the body had already met with Dr Byron and would work with the government on the review.
We are very responsible and keen to ensure that our products are only played by those who they are designed for
Paul Jackson, Elspa
But he said the industry was "too often blamed for everything from obesity to youth violence".
He said: "It is just not true and it's not appropriate."
He added: "We feel quite positively about this review. It's clear the review is about making sure parents are properly informed about what their youngsters are playing and what they are accessing on the internet."
'Singled out'
David Braben, of Frontier games, asked why games were being singled out.
"A review might be useful but it should not just look at one media, especially when media are intersecting," he said.
He added: "Historically there has always been in government a Luddite sentiment - whatever the new industry is tends to take the blame of the latest ailment of society.
"We do tend to be the people who get the blame first at the moment. And that is a tragedy - because this industry is one of the most interesting media."
Philip Oliver, chief executive of Blitz games, said more education was needed for parents.
"They aren't paying attention to the certificates. That is partly because they don't understand them and have a distorted image of games - that either they are harmless or totally evil."
The review is launched a day after the British Board of Film Classification refused a certificate for Manhunt 2 for a second time.
Mr Oliver said the decision was proof "the system is working".
According to Elspa, only 2% of games released in the UK receive an 18 certificate and the average age of a gamer is 28.
'Higher standards'
Mr Jackson said: "We are a very important British industry. We are very responsible and keen to ensure that our products are only played by those who they are designed for."
Margaret Robertson, a video games consultant and former editor of Edge magazine, said the industry felt it was doing as much as it could.
"The games industry is holding itself to higher standards than the film industry. This is a solved problem.
"Allowing that, everyone is united in not wanting material for older gamers to get into the hands of children."
She added: "This report may start finding some wider ways to do that."
Manhunt 2 - still banned 
Linear Mode
