Manhunt 2 Banned in the UK!

Yep you heard that right, Manhunt 2 has been banned in the UK by the BBFC.

The BBFC have rated the upcoming Wii and PS2game Manhunt 2 with the "Rejected" rating. This means that the game cannot be supplied to the UK.

The BBFC have rejected the game due to it's concept - the focus on the game is on stalking and brutal slaying, and the game encourages people to kill in the most unpleasant way possible. The BBFC claim that releasing the game, even with an 18 certificate, "would involve a range of unjustifiable harm risks, to both adults and minors".

Only one other game has ever been rejected by the BBFC, Carmageddon in 1997.

Link

I wasn't planning on picking this up but still its the first game to get banned in the UK in 10 years. Do you guys think this might affect the release in the US?

What..... the ...... ****? :evil:

"Only one other game has ever been rejected by the BBFC, Carmageddon in 1997."

WTF? :lol:

How ironic that the country in which the game was developed has banned the game. :evil:

Link

I wasn't planning on picking this up but still its the first game to get banned in the UK in 10 years. Do you guys think this might affect the release in the US?

Keibo

No, because there's no equivalent organization within the US that can do this kind of thing. As much as I disapprove of Manhunt 2, and think what they're doing with it is rather disgusting, I'm equally disapproving of this kind of government censorship. Keep it out of the hands of kids, sure, but you're making it illegal for adults to play it too? Come on, as graphic as Manhunt 2 is, it's not fundamentally far off from what other games have done in the past. Killing people isn't new, and just because a game is doing it in a more brutal manner doesn't mean that it should be kept out of people's hands.

This is rediculous considering that the original was granted the 18 rating. Expect bans in Germany and Australia as well. I don't think the American release will be affected by this - nothing gets "banned" in America, and only games with sexually explicit content get slapped with an AO rating.

well as I said I'm not gonna pick this up anyway, but seeing as the games are translated into like 5 different languages for Europe, picking up a copy from some other country that it isn't banned shouldn't be much of a problem. I know this works because I've bought a game from Spain before and even though the cover and manual are in Spanish the game itself plays in English.

Oh and thanks for the Explanation Oilers I wasn't sure about how it all works in the US and that pretty much cleared it up

At the moment this news isn't so grim, but if the game starts getting rave reviews (unlikely I know) then it's going to piss me off quite a bit, I was actually planning on picking this up.

Damn you BBFC!

At the moment this news isn't so grim, but if the game starts getting rave reviews (unlikely I know) then it's going to piss me off quite a bit, I was actually planning on picking this up.

Damn you BBFC!

Mantorok

Nice one BBFC. Ban the game, cause controversy, so that more people hear about this game and becomes interested. More controversy = More sales. These games should keep coming, cause I hate government censorship. Don't like it? Don't buy it. They are not forcing you.TheTerribleFish

Nicely put man! Why should we suffer (as gamers) the fact that they've went and banned it means there's gonna be more hate mail toward them and more demand for the game, who cares if Rockstar are treading the needle? It's what they do and it sells.

Please link me up to reliable european websites that will deliver to the UK please. :evil:

Carmageddon 64 was banned for portrayal of realistic violence.

Well, more like because it encouraged you to run over people, but come on, look at the freaking graphics! And the BBFC banned porn in the UK till a few years ago.

i want this game even more

guess i will just have 2 get it on psp

Just say NO to censorship, ladies and gents.

Clearly this game needed to be banned, as it could very well lead the world to war if people play it. :roll:

Just say NO to censorship, ladies and gents.

Clearly this game needed to be banned, as it could very well lead the world to war if people play it. :roll:

EdgecrusherAza

And shanking! Shanking! Think about the children!

I agree that more controversy = more sales = more games like this. I don't have a problem admitting that I first heard of the first Manhunt after they tried blaming the murder that school-kid commited on it. I went out and bought it after hearing about it.

I believe that in this day and age, anyone who wants to play a game will be able to find a way to do so. *googles European game retail sites*

Can't say I agree or disagree, Rockstar is clearly treading the needle with this game's content. As a governing body they have to ask themselves what benefits does this game have and what negatives does it have. In their mindset the negatives are going to win-out, and given the content and premise of the game that is fine by me.trifecta_basic

I'm sorry, but this sort of thinking annoys me to no end. As someone who has lived under a Communist regime, I am extremely opposed to any kind of government body telling people what they should do, think, watch, or play. Rockstar isn't treading anything, this is a classic case of censorship, arrogance, and a stereotypical outlook on games (someone think of the children!). Who gives a **** about "their mindset"? Adults have a right to decide what's good or bad for them.

[QUOTE="trifecta_basic"]Can't say I agree or disagree, Rockstar is clearly treading the needle with this game's content. As a governing body they have to ask themselves what benefits does this game have and what negatives does it have. In their mindset the negatives are going to win-out, and given the content and premise of the game that is fine by me.UpInFlames

I'm sorry, but this sort of thinking annoys me to no end. As someone who has lived under a Communist regime, I am extremely opposed to any kind of government body telling people what they should do, think, watch, or play. Rockstar isn't treading anything, this is a classic case of censorship, arrogance, and a stereotypical outlook on games (someone think of the children!). Who gives a **** about "their mindset"? Adults have a right to decide what's good or bad for them.

Good Man! Well said.

Nothing to be gained and everything in jeopardy by the ''Nanny State'' and the ''Big Brother''. I fear Gordon Brown's UK will be a dark Orwellian landscape. UK is not a good place to be right now.

[QUOTE="UpInFlames"]

[QUOTE="trifecta_basic"]Can't say I agree or disagree, Rockstar is clearly treading the needle with this game's content. As a governing body they have to ask themselves what benefits does this game have and what negatives does it have. In their mindset the negatives are going to win-out, and given the content and premise of the game that is fine by me.bugsonglass

I'm sorry, but this sort of thinking annoys me to no end. As someone who has lived under a Communist regime, I am extremely opposed to any kind of government body telling people what they should do, think, watch, or play. Rockstar isn't treading anything, this is a classic case of censorship, arrogance, and a stereotypical outlook on games (someone think of the children!). Who gives a **** about "their mindset"? Adults have a right to decide what's good or bad for them.

UK is not a good place to be right now.

Nothing a game of Manhunt wouldn't fix.

I agree, with both of you guys. It's not the fact of not having the game at retail what's worse, but the mindset behind the ban, the thought pattern that considers that adult citizens have to be protected from themselves.

Are the British public really that irresponsible? KingKoop

Yes we are. We are heavly influenced people that let our media dictate our thought process and as such have no free will.

[QUOTE="KingKoop"]Are the British public really that irresponsible? bentleg

Yes we are. We are heavly influenced people that let our media dictate our thought process and as such have no free will.

Ignoring the size difference look at the US, and you say WE let media dictate out thought process? All this media as such comes from the states and yet we still lectured from fat-cats at the BBFCabout all this violence it sucks complete ass. I have plenty of free will I just like expressing it on mindless violent games.

Don't like it? Don't buy it. They are not forcing you.TheTerribleFish

Adults have a right to decide what's good or bad for them.UpInFlames

...the thought pattern that considers that adult citizens have to be protected from themselves. SteelAttack

Don't get me wrong. I'm totally against censorship and I think this decision is bad. However, I think you guys are missing the point or at least misrepresenting it.

I don't think the idea is to protectyou from yourself (like seatbelt laws). It's to protect you from the crazy guy down the street (like gun control laws). However, I think it's a bad precedent unless the government can prove beyond any doubt that this game could influence a crazy person towards violence.

Now for a tougher question. Has the government of the United States proven that nudity or sexual content can be damaging to anyone (youth or otherwise) and if not, why is it so tightly controlled in the USA?

[QUOTE="bentleg"]

[QUOTE="KingKoop"]Are the British public really that irresponsible? KingKoop

Yes we are. We are heavly influenced people that let our media dictate our thought process and as such have no free will.

Ignoring the size difference look at the US, and you say WE let media dictate out thought process? All this media as such comes from the states and yet we still lectured from fat-cats at the BBFCabout all this violence it sucks complete ass. I have plenty of free will I just like expressing it on mindless violent games.

I meant in a satrical context which maybe didn't come across that well is that we are treated like sheep that just absorb what we are told.

[QUOTE="bentleg"]

[QUOTE="KingKoop"]Are the British public really that irresponsible? KingKoop

Yes we are. We are heavly influenced people that let our media dictate our thought process and as such have no free will.

Ignoring the size difference look at the US, and you say WE let media dictate out thought process? All this media as such comes from the states and yet we still lectured from fat-cats at the BBFCabout all this violence it sucks complete ass. I have plenty of free will I just like expressing it on mindless violent games.

not the whole british public is irresponsible its just a few who go on a killing spree that gives us a bad name

anyway its justthe socalists who want it baned

[QUOTE="TheTerribleFish"]Don't like it? Don't buy it. They are not forcing you.ymi_basic

Adults have a right to decide what's good or bad for them.UpInFlames

...the thought pattern that considers that adult citizens have to be protected from themselves. SteelAttack

Don't get me wrong. I'm totally against censorship and I think this decision is bad. However, I think you guys are missing the point or at least misrepresenting it.

I don't think the idea is to protectyou from yourself (like seatbelt laws). It's to protect you from the crazy guy down the street (like gun control laws). However, I think it's a bad precedent unless the government can prove beyond any doubt that this game could influence a crazy person towards violence.

Now for a tougher question. Has the government of the United States proven that nudity or sexual content can be damaging to anyone (youth or otherwise) and if not, why is it so tightly controlled in the USA?

I'd rather the government protected me from drunken drivers, and from people in posession of guns or knives ... than from people playing video games. You're trying to defend an indefencible position.

Don't get me wrong. I'm totally against censorship and I think this decision is bad. However, I think you guys are missing the point or at least misrepresenting it.

I don't think the idea is to protectyou from yourself (like seatbelt laws). It's to protect you from the crazy guy down the street (like gun control laws). However, I think it's a bad precedent unless the government can prove beyond any doubt that this game could influence a crazy person towards violence.

Now for a tougher question. Has the government of the United States proven that nudity or sexual content can be damaging to anyone (youth or otherwise) and if not, why is it so tightly controlled in the USA?

ymi_basic

A mentally imbalanced person can turn violent for no reason at all, or for a myriad possible reasons, understandable or not. I don't think a violent videogame should be considered as a definite trigger for such behavior. I'm not a fervent proponent of the cultivation theory, but I do believe that many different factors contribute in an issue such as complex as this, and singling out videogames of all mainstream media isn't the right path.

I can't comment on the US government question, since I don't live there.

[QUOTE="KingKoop"][QUOTE="bentleg"]

[QUOTE="KingKoop"]Are the British public really that irresponsible? Poshkidney

Yes we are. We are heavly influenced people that let our media dictate our thought process and as such have no free will.

Ignoring the size difference look at the US, and you say WE let media dictate out thought process? All this media as such comes from the states and yet we still lectured from fat-cats at the BBFCabout all this violence it sucks complete ass. I have plenty of free will I just like expressing it on mindless violent games.

not the whole british public is irresponsible its just a few who go on a killing spree that gives us a bad name

anyway its justthe socalists who want it baned

Lol true.

I think the BBFC should sell it, you want the game you go through them to buy it, that way whatever goes wrong falls upon them. (Whatever goes wrong?) It's a videogame PURELY FICTIONAL what's the big problem?

Can anyone tell this has just annoyed me now :D

WHAT!? God damn morons. I'm not going to go out and kill someone after playing Manhunt. Jesus. That's one game I was really looking forward too. CRAP!

Edit: 2000th post.

I can understand regulating games and making sure that underage people don't get to watch adult content. Fine by me, make is so you have to own a credit card to get an 18 game, show ID when buying a game, whatever. I don't want violent or sexual content getting into the hands of minors more than anyone else. But that shouldn't impede my right to watch the content I want if it doesn't harm anyone else. gaminggeek

Yeah this goes well beyond prohibiting sale to minors. The original Manhunt was only given a BBFC 18 certificate, prohibiting sale to those under 18. I wonder how bad this game could be for it to be banned completely?

Also, is it only the sale of the game that is banned or does the ban extend to mere possesssion and/or gift-giving (I was assuming the term "supply" refers to sales distributing only). In some countries with a similar historical legal system, such as New Zealand, mere possession of Manhunt is a legal offense.

[QUOTE="trifecta_basic"]Can't say I agree or disagree, Rockstar is clearly treading the needle with this game's content. As a governing body they have to ask themselves what benefits does this game have and what negatives does it have. In their mindset the negatives are going to win-out, and given the content and premise of the game that is fine by me.UpInFlames

I'm sorry, but this sort of thinking annoys me to no end. As someone who has lived under a Communist regime, I am extremely opposed to any kind of government body telling people what they should do, think, watch, or play. Rockstar isn't treading anything, this is a classic case of censorship, arrogance, and a stereotypical outlook on games (someone think of the children!). Who gives a **** about "their mindset"? Adults have a right to decide what's good or bad for them.

I was going to respond to this, but you did itmuch better than I could have. Thank you.

[QUOTE="ymi_basic"]

[QUOTE="TheTerribleFish"]Don't like it? Don't buy it. They are not forcing you.bugsonglass

Adults have a right to decide what's good or bad for them.UpInFlames

...the thought pattern that considers that adult citizens have to be protected from themselves. SteelAttack

Don't get me wrong. I'm totally against censorship and I think this decision is bad. However, I think you guys are missing the point or at least misrepresenting it.

I don't think the idea is to protectyou from yourself (like seatbelt laws). It's to protect you from the crazy guy down the street (like gun control laws). However, I think it's a bad precedent unless the government can prove beyond any doubt that this game could influence a crazy person towards violence.

Now for a tougher question. Has the government of the United States proven that nudity or sexual content can be damaging to anyone (youth or otherwise) and if not, why is it so tightly controlled in the USA?

I'd rather the government protected me from drunken drivers, and from people in posession of guns or knives ... than from people playing video games. You're trying to defend an indefencible position.

How the hell is Manhunt any bleaker or sadistic than any of the Saw films or Hostel, which are all torture porn. Although Manhunt 1 was seriously twisted it had the gameplay to make it fun and that's what most people enjoyed.

Even if the game is not so great, i'm probably going to import it from France, purely because I think this is an absolutely stupid decision.

[QUOTE="bugsonglass"][QUOTE="ymi_basic"]

[QUOTE="TheTerribleFish"]Don't like it? Don't buy it. They are not forcing you.ymi_basic

Adults have a right to decide what's good or bad for them.UpInFlames

...the thought pattern that considers that adult citizens have to be protected from themselves. SteelAttack

Don't get me wrong. I'm totally against censorship and I think this decision is bad. However, I think you guys are missing the point or at least misrepresenting it.

I don't think the idea is to protectyou from yourself (like seatbelt laws). It's to protect you from the crazy guy down the street (like gun control laws). However, I think it's a bad precedent unless the government can prove beyond any doubt that this game could influence a crazy person towards violence.

Now for a tougher question. Has the government of the United States proven that nudity or sexual content can be damaging to anyone (youth or otherwise) and if not, why is it so tightly controlled in the USA?

I'd rather the government protected me from drunken drivers, and from people in posession of guns or knives ... than from people playing video games. You're trying to defend an indefencible position.

Mind the lip

Yep you heard that right, Manhunt 2 has been banned in the UK by the BBFC.

The BBFC have rated the upcoming Wii and PS2game Manhunt 2 with the "Rejected" rating. This means that the game cannot be supplied to the UK.

The BBFC have rejected the game due to it's concept - the focus on the game is on stalking and brutal slaying, and the game encourages people to kill in the most unpleasant way possible. The BBFC claim that releasing the game, even with an 18 certificate, "would involve a range of unjustifiable harm risks, to both adults and minors".

Only one other game has ever been rejected by the BBFC, Carmageddon in 1997.Keibo

Link

I wasn't planning on picking this up but still its the first game to get banned in the UK in 10 years. Do you guys think this might affect the release in the US?

I would never play this game but I'm worried that developers won't be able to stray past certain lines no matter how old you are.

And Rockstar responds.

"We are disappointed with the recent decision by the British Board of Film cla$$ification to refuse cla$$ification of Manhunt 2. While we respect the authority of the cla$$ification board and will abide by the rules, we emphatically disagree with this particular decision."

"Manhunt 2 is an entertainment experience for fans of psychological thrillers and horror. The subject matter of this game is in line with other mainstream entertainment choices for adult consumers."

"We respect those who have different opinions about the horror genre and video games as a whole, but we hope they will also consider the opinions of the adult gamers for whom this product is intended. We believe all products should be rated to allow the public to make informed choices about the media and art they wish to consume. The stories in modern video games are as diverse as the stories in books, film and television. The adult consumers who would play this game fully understand that it is fictional interactive entertainment and nothing more."

Oh my crap it's all kicking off now.

UK David Cooke, Director of the BBFC said:

"Rejecting a work is a very serious action and one which we do not take lightly. Where possible we try to consider cuts or, in the case of games, modifications which remove the material which contravenes the Board's published Guidelines. In the case of Manhunt 2 this has not been possible. Manhunt 2 is distinguishable from recent high-end video games by its unremitting bleakness and callousness of tone in an overall game context which constantly encourages visceral killing with exceptionally little alleviation or distancing. There is sustained and cumulative casual sadism in the way in which these killings are committed, and encouraged, in the game.

"Although the difference should not be exaggerated the fact of the game's unrelenting focus on stalking and brutal slaying and the sheer lack of alternative pleasures on offer to the gamer, together with the different overall narrative context, contribute towards differentiating this submission from the original Manhunt game. That work was rated '18' in 2003, before the BBFC's recent games research had been undertaken, but was already at the very top end of what the Board judged to be acceptable at that category.

"Against this background, the Board's carefully considered view is that to issue a certificate to Manhunt 2, on either platform, would involve a range of unjustifiable harm risks, to both adults and minors, within the terms of the Video Recordings Act, and accordingly that its availability, even if statutorily confined to adults, would be unacceptable to the public."

Banned in Ireland too:

"A prohibition order has been made by IFCO in relation to the video game Manhunt 2. The Order was made on 18th June 2007 under Sec 7 (1) (b) of the Video Recordings Act 1989 which refers to 'acts of gross violence or cruelty (including mutilation and torture)'.

"IFCO recognizes that in certain films, DVDs and video games, strong graphic violence may be a justifiable element within the overall context of the work. However, in the case of Manhunt 2, IFCO believes that there is no such context, and the level of gross, unrelenting and gratuitous violence is unacceptable."

The ELSPA releases a statement backing up the BBFC move.

"A decision from the BBFC such as this demonstrates that we have a games ratings system in the UK that is effective. It shows it works and works well. Any decision the BBFC takes, it takes on the basis of its remit to rate on screen entertainment."

"The games industry is a creative phenomenon that produces all kinds of games across all kinds of genres that appeal to all kinds of people across the country, young and old, male and female. The important thing to know is that all games are rated according to age suitability, with over 70 per cent of games being available to all ages over three years."

What exactly does the ELSPA do?

Oh my crap it's all kicking off now.

UK David Cooke, Director of the BBFC said:

"Rejecting a work is a very serious action and one which we do not take lightly. Where possible we try to consider cuts or, in the case of games, modifications which remove the material which contravenes the Board's published Guidelines. In the case of Manhunt 2 this has not been possible. Manhunt 2 is distinguishable from recent high-end video games by its unremitting bleakness and callousness of tone in an overall game context which constantly encourages visceral killing with exceptionally little alleviation or distancing. There is sustained and cumulative casual sadism in the way in which these killings are committed, and encouraged, in the game.

"Although the difference should not be exaggerated the fact of the game's unrelenting focus on stalking and brutal slaying and the sheer lack of alternative pleasures on offer to the gamer, together with the different overall narrative context, contribute towards differentiating this submission from the original Manhunt game. That work was rated '18' in 2003, before the BBFC's recent games research had been undertaken, but was already at the very top end of what the Board judged to be acceptable at that category.

"Against this background, the Board's carefully considered view is that to issue a certificate to Manhunt 2, on either platform, would involve a range of unjustifiable harm risks, to both adults and minors, within the terms of the Video Recordings Act, and accordingly that its availability, even if statutorily confined to adults, would be unacceptable to the public."

Banned in Ireland too:

"A prohibition order has been made by IFCO in relation to the video game Manhunt 2. The Order was made on 18th June 2007 under Sec 7 (1) (b) of the Video Recordings Act 1989 which refers to 'acts of gross violence or cruelty (including mutilation and torture)'.

"IFCO recognizes that in certain films, DVDs and video games, strong graphic violence may be a justifiable element within the overall context of the work. However, in the case of Manhunt 2, IFCO believes that there is no such context, and the level of gross, unrelenting and gratuitous violence is unacceptable."

gaminggeek

This part is total big brother. Who are they to decide what is acceptable to the public? If they mean that the "public" is a majority opinion, have they confirmed that opinion? Even if so, how do they justify the idea that the majority get to dictate to the minority regarding what is and isn't acceptable for that minority to watch/play?

[QUOTE="gaminggeek"]

Oh my crap it's all kicking off now.

UK David Cooke, Director of the BBFC said:

"Rejecting a work is a very serious action and one which we do not take lightly. Where possible we try to consider cuts or, in the case of games, modifications which remove the material which contravenes the Board's published Guidelines. In the case of Manhunt 2 this has not been possible. Manhunt 2 is distinguishable from recent high-end video games by its unremitting bleakness and callousness of tone in an overall game context which constantly encourages visceral killing with exceptionally little alleviation or distancing. There is sustained and cumulative casual sadism in the way in which these killings are committed, and encouraged, in the game.

"Although the difference should not be exaggerated the fact of the game's unrelenting focus on stalking and brutal slaying and the sheer lack of alternative pleasures on offer to the gamer, together with the different overall narrative context, contribute towards differentiating this submission from the original Manhunt game. That work was rated '18' in 2003, before the BBFC's recent games research had been undertaken, but was already at the very top end of what the Board judged to be acceptable at that category.

"Against this background, the Board's carefully considered view is that to issue a certificate to Manhunt 2, on either platform, would involve a range of unjustifiable harm risks, to both adults and minors, within the terms of the Video Recordings Act, and accordingly that its availability, even if statutorily confined to adults, would be unacceptable to the public."

Banned in Ireland too:

"A prohibition order has been made by IFCO in relation to the video game Manhunt 2. The Order was made on 18th June 2007 under Sec 7 (1) (b) of the Video Recordings Act 1989 which refers to 'acts of gross violence or cruelty (including mutilation and torture)'.

"IFCO recognizes that in certain films, DVDs and video games, strong graphic violence may be a justifiable element within the overall context of the work. However, in the case of Manhunt 2, IFCO believes that there is no such context, and the level of gross, unrelenting and gratuitous violence is unacceptable."

ymi_basic

This part is total big brother. Who are they to decide what is acceptable to the public? If they mean that the "public" is a majority opinion, have they confirmed that opinion? Even if so, how do they justify the idea that the majority get to dictate to the minority regarding what is and isn't acceptable for that minority to watch/play?

I completly agree, the censorship boards do not have the authority to decide what is "unacceptable for the public". You would think a legal adult would have the right to purchase a bloody video game. There is a difference between fictional entertainment and reality.

I can just imagine the BBFC playing the game and trying to look all terrified and abhorred at what they're seeing and/or doing.

If I was on that panel, I would be laughing maniacally while playing the game and that would probably be my last day on the job...