BBFC rejects Manhunt 2

[mikebeaver]

Via MCV

British Classification body rules Rockstar cannot release upcoming PS2 and Wii sequel in the UK

"With Take 2 already in turmoil following the recent company-wide restructuring, the group has been dealt another blow with the news that Rockstar’s upcoming sequel Manhunt 2 has been rejected by the BBFC, meaning it cannot legally be supplied anywhere in the UK.

The only other game to ever be rejected by the body was Carmageddon in 1997, though that decision was overturned by the Video Appeals Committee.

"Rejecting a work is a very serious action and one which we do not take lightly,” BBFC director David Cooke stated. “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 $#@!ulative 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 classified ‘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.”


In my opinion this is just the iceing on the cake, they can show what they like at the cinema or on TV, but we cant play a game because it might make someone violent, the BBFC are hypocrites.

[ICE]

hahahahaha good thing im american

[Ci5tm Konfliqt]

That's annoying and as stated they are hypocrites

[Sonicboy 101]

Why does Britain always get treated like crap?

[Elven6]

This is gonna be mass imported just like Shenmue 2!

[Uberman]

Children are one thing, but disallowing adults to play it on those grounds is nothing short of censorship. I'll be amazed if they can get away with that.

[mcdougall57]

Why does Britain always get treated like crap?

same question and opinion

[Dogmatic1]

I think mod-chip sales just went up

The BBFC only bans stuff that it thinks will encourage public disorder (films like Bumfights where banned because they feared it would inspire copycats). They allowed the first Manhunt game, and there was quite a large murder case a while back where one teen killed his "friend" with a hammer; and blamed it on inspiration from the game. I think they're just covering their backs.

I know local councils can overturn BBFC classifications for films, but I don't know if the same applies for games, or if they can introduce their own classification when the BBFC has refused to give one.

[Raydar]

The BBFC are just a bunch of fascits - they should not be allowed to choose what people can and cannot play. The whole organisation needs to be disbanded and replaced with something which JUST passes classification and does NOT censor.

We're still living in the dark ages here.

[Elven6]

Why does Britain always get treated like crap?

Probably because Britian treated the World like crap back in the day.