When Take-Two Interactive yesterday confirmed that the Entertainment Software Rating Board handed down a rating of AO for Adults Only for Rockstar Games' Manhunt 2 on the PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and Nintendo Wii, the publisher said it was exploring its options.

GameSpot has confirmed with Nintendo and Sony that one of those options, which would be to accept the ESRB's judgment and release the game with the AO rating, isn't an option at all. Both companies forbid licensed third-party publishers from releasing games rated AO for Adults Only on their various hardware platforms. Though Manhunt 2 isn't slated for any of Microsoft's systems, the company has also confirmed that it does not allow AO-rated titles on the Xbox or Xbox 360.

The sole exception to this rule was in 2005 when the already released Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was retroactively rated AO, at which point retailers pulled it from shelves and Take-Two suspended production of the game.

"It's currently our policy not to allow the playback of AO-rated content on our systems," a Sony spokesperson told GameSpot.

Nintendo's official line was much the same. "Games made for Nintendo systems enjoy a broad variety of styles, genres, and ratings," a representative told GameSpot. "These are some of the reasons our Wii and Nintendo DS systems appeal to such a broad range of people. But as with books, television, and movies, different content is meant for different audiences. That's why the ESRB provides ratings to help consumers understand the content of a game before they purchase it. As stated on Nintendo.com, Nintendo does not allow any AO-rated content on its systems."

Take-Two's most readily available alternatives are to appeal the ESRB's AO rating or to modify the game. As of press time, a Rockstar Games representative had not responded to GameSpot's inquiry about how either move would impact the game's scheduled July 10 release date

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6172830...wstop;title;12 ...

Well, it seems like Squareenix showcased a private trailer of the dissidia game for PSP, however today they released it for the world to see though unknown to many until now.

The vid shows some gameplay elements such as HP used instead of a health bar in traditional fighting games.

Also it shows characters such as Garland(supposedly), a dark knight, Zidane, Kuja and of course Sephiroth.

Now fellow FFFreaks, drool over this video of the next big PSP game:thumbup: : http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2b...al-fantasy-psp ...

Earlier today, the British Board of Film Classification gave Manhunt 2 a thumbs down, banning it from sale in the UK due to its "unremitting bleakness" and "casual sadism." Now it appears the Entertainment Software Rating Board is ready to hand down its own most restrictive rating to the latest controversial offering from Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar Games.

A Take-Two representative told GameSpot today that the ESRB has issued an initial rating of AO for Adults Only to Manhunt 2. While not an outright ban, the rating would severely limit a game's sales potential, as most major American retailers have chosen not to carry games rated AO.

As for the reason this is only an "initial" rating, when the ESRB rates a game, it notifies the publisher 30 days prior to publicly releasing its decision. This gives publishers unhappy with ratings the chance to either modify their games and resubmit them for a second assessment, or go before the ESRB's appeals board to challenge it directly.

"We believe the process of rating video games is to help people make informed entertainment choices and not to limit them," a Take-Two representative said. "Manhunt 2 was created for mature audiences and we strongly believe it should receive an M (Mature) rating, aligning it with similar content created in other forms of media. We are exploring our options with regard to the rating of Manhunt 2."

While Take-Two doesn't agree with the idea of an AO-rated Manhunt 2, one parent watchdog group believes it's only appropriate. Earlier today, Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood demanded that the ESRB give Manhunt 2 an AO rating, saying that "harmful effects of ultra-violent video games on children will be magnified by playing them on the interactive Nintendo Wii system."

The group's announcement contained a statement from Dr. Michael Rich, director of the Center on Media and Child Health at Children's Hospital Boston, who explained, "The content of Manhunt 2 and the unique physical interaction with the Wii control combine to take [the game's simulation] a level closer to reality--we can expect that the effects of this experience will be even greater."

The group directed like-minded individuals to contact ESRB president Patricia Vance with their concerns, and Vance today issued her response.

"We have received the letter from CCFC and, while we might take issue with some of the statements made within, we sincerely appreciate their expressed concerns," Vance said. "Our ratings are intended to provide guidance that allows parents to choose games they deem suitable for their children, and that is a responsibility we take extremely seriously."

Manhunt 2 is currently slated for a July 10 release on the PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and Wii. For more on the game, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6172743...ewstop;title;1

wow, well this was unexpected, could this game be known as Wii and PSP's first rated AO game lol

but I wonder what Rockstar's "options" are on regarding this rating. ...

Late last year, Gran Turismo designer Kazunori Yamauchi told fans that the next installment in his popular driving simulation series would reflect a change in the franchise's core principles and become "a fully realized online car life simulation."

While it might not be one of the "core principles" Yamauchi referred to last year, the designer did confirm one change in store for the next Gran Turismo in a recent Polyphony Digital profile by French motorsports program Turbo. For the first time in a Gran Turismo game, players will be able to select an inside-the-car viewpoint with the steering wheel and dashboard visible.

"To translate the real car into 3D, we use data and assets provided by the car manufacturers, but we also use a scanner that completely digitizes a car," Yamauchi told the show. "Here's a scoop: We're also modeling the dashboards because you can drive from the interior view in the upcoming Gran Turismo 5."

When asked about the Gran Turismo five in-car views and recent rumors of downloadable content for Gran Turismo HD for the PlayStation 3, a Sony representative told GameSpot, "We haven't made any recent announcements on the GT franchise."
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6172697...wstop;title;14 ...

http://kotaku.com/gaming/clip/soul-c...ses-268302.php

How shocking....

Soul Calibur IV will be released on PS3 AND Xbox360 in 2008.

Watch the trailer above link ...

http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2007/06/06/...-you-cry-in-e/ ...

The once 249.99 8gb memory stick pro duo now costs up 149.99 at Frys.com, and 169.99 at the stores

http://shop3.outpost.com/product/513...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG ...

Hot on the heels of this week's announcement of seven more songs for the 1980s-themed Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s, Activision has announced the first batch of songs for Guitar Hero III. The full list for the latest rhythm game, first revealed during an earnings call earlier in the year, is below--and contains many tracks by the original artists:

ORIGINAL RECORDINGS:
"Cult of Personality" by Living Colour
"Paint It Black" by the Rolling Stones
"Cherub Rock" by Smashing Pumpkins
"Sabotage" by Beastie Boys
"The Metal" by Tenacious D
"My Name Is Jonas" by Weezer
"Knights of Cydonia" by Muse


COVER SONGS:
"Rock And Roll All Nite" as made famous by Kiss
"School's Out" as made famous by Alice Cooper
"Slow Ride" as made famous by Foghat
"Barracuda" as made famous by Heart


The company also confirmed that the game would be getting two new controllers--a Gibson Les Paul guitar model for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii consoles, and a Gibson Kramer guitar for the PlayStation 2. Both controllers will be wireless.

The new game will also get a host of new features, including a "multiplayer action-inspired battle mode," and authentic rock venues. An expanded online multiplayer mode will allow gamers to compete with other guitar heroes worldwide.

RedOctane's head of publishing, Dusty Welch, said that the team had listened to fans' requests for this edition of the game. He commented, "Many of the top bands and songs we've tried to get in the past are now on board, and we've definitely got some giant aces in the hole to say the least."

Guitar Hero III is due for release on the PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii this "fall." It will be the first full-fledged entry in the series to be developed by Activision's in-house studio Neversoft--the first two Guitar Hero games were made by Harmonix.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6171400...ewstop;title;2 ...

Hot on the heels of this week's announcement of seven more songs for the 1980s-themed Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s, Activision has announced the first batch of songs for Guitar Hero III. The full list for the latest rhythm game, first revealed during an earnings call earlier in the year, is below--and contains many tracks by the original artists:

ORIGINAL RECORDINGS:
"Cult of Personality" by Living Colour
"Paint It Black" by the Rolling Stones
"Cherub Rock" by Smashing Pumpkins
"Sabotage" by Beastie Boys
"The Metal" by Tenacious D
"My Name Is Jonas" by Weezer
"Knights of Cydonia" by Muse


COVER SONGS:
"Rock And Roll All Nite" as made famous by Kiss
"School's Out" as made famous by Alice Cooper
"Slow Ride" as made famous by Foghat
"Barracuda" as made famous by Heart


The company also confirmed that the game would be getting two new controllers--a Gibson Les Paul guitar model for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii consoles, and a Gibson Kramer guitar for the PlayStation 2. Both controllers will be wireless.

The new game will also get a host of new features, including a "multiplayer action-inspired battle mode," and authentic rock venues. An expanded online multiplayer mode will allow gamers to compete with other guitar heroes worldwide.

RedOctane's head of publishing, Dusty Welch, said that the team had listened to fans' requests for this edition of the game. He commented, "Many of the top bands and songs we've tried to get in the past are now on board, and we've definitely got some giant aces in the hole to say the least."

Guitar Hero III is due for release on the PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii this "fall." It will be the first full-fledged entry in the series to be developed by Activision's in-house studio Neversoft--the first two Guitar Hero games were made by Harmonix.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6171400...ewstop;title;2 ...