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Manhunt 2 Wii-mote controls prompts call for stricter North American rating

June 19, 2007 in News comments 10

It appears Manhunt 2 can't catch a break with its rating, as the drama continues across the pond here on North American shores. The Center for a Commercial-Free Childhood is petitioning the ESRB to classify the Wii version of Manhunt 2 as an "Adults Only" (AO) game in North America, thanks to console's exclusive motion sensing control. As with previous specuation surrounding Florida state's Attorney General Bill McCollum, the CCFC expresses its concern over the motion sensing gameplay required to carry out the game's violent objectives. In their opinion, a "Mature" (M) would not be enough for the Wii edition.

The ESRB has already informed Rockstar of its own decision for the game's rating, so it is a matter of time before we know who will be able to legally purchase Manhunt 2 in North America. Will the CCFC succeed in convincing the ESRB?

If ever there was a time for the ESRB's strongest and most unambiguous rating, it is now. An Adults Only rating is the only way to limit children’s exposure to this unique combination of horrific violence and interactivity...

An "M" rating is more like a wink and a nod than an effective safeguard. The industry appears to be going through its paces, but as the FTC’s most recent data show, these games are still being marketed to children.
Wolfwood via gamepolitics.com »
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  • -2
    Deathsythe Jun 19, 07
    *sigh* and the video game rating war continues, with Manhunt forever pushing the boundaries. First of all the Wii is a kiddie system anyway, so a stricter rating is semi-legit. However, labeling a game AO, (which puts it in a category with such games like:
    1. All Nude Cyber (Mac, PC) - Strong Sexual Content
    2. All Nude Glamour (Mac, PC) - Strong Sexual Content
    3. All Nude Nikki (Mac, PC) - Strong Sexual Content
    4. Body Language (DVD) - Strong Sexual Content
    5. Critical Point (PC) - Strong Sexual Content, Violence
    6. Crystal Fantasy (Mac, PC) - Strong Sexual Content
    7. Cyber Photographer (Mac, PC) - Strong Sexual Content


    is totally absurd.

    It is seeming like Jackass Thompson is winning this battle, but he will lose the war.


    On a lighter note it really doesn't matter to me the rating as long as it gets released without any cuts.
    • 0
      Mario_1* Jun 20, 07
      You fail to realize that the stereotype of the Wii being a "kiddy" system is really stupid and untrue.
  • 0
    huntyr Jun 19, 07
    Whatever happened to parents being responsible and looking out for their kids? I know if I was a parent I'd be examining all the gaming titles scattered around and put away the ones that I didn't think were appropriate. (Until the kids went to bed, then I'd bring them out of course! ;-) )
  • 0
    Infinite Jun 19, 07
    Manhunt 2 doesn't need to be rated adult only. Who cares that the game has motion sensing controls? That doesn't mean they need to raise the rating even higher. I think an "M" rating for Manhunt 2 would be just fine.
  • 0
    Warsun Jun 19, 07
    Sure, IGN and others are saying Manunt 2 is the goriest game ever made, but it shouldn't be given an AO rating simply because of motion sensor controls. And the Wii isn't a kiddie system, so a stricter rating would be completely absurd. It should be the same rating across all systems. Either way, now that I am 18, I don't have to worry, but it should still be rated M. Sells would drop dramatically since a lot of retailers refuse to sell AO games, and the game would be much harder to acquire.
  • -2
    BANDITO ATTACK Jun 19, 07
    quote
    And the Wii isn't a kiddie system
    lulwat?
  • 0
    FRoGBuster Jun 19, 07
    haha, yeah the wii WONT be a kiddie system after this game comes out! But it looks like it is right now...

    The difference between AO and M rating :
    AO is 18 +
    M is 17+
    is that right?
    If so, wtf? One year difference really changes what you can and can't play? The ESRB should be more concerned about the mental stability of people that buy mature/adult games rather than the difference of One year in a teenager.
    Personally, as an adult, I'd like to see more AO games released. Perhaps the hype about AO games would go down as people get used to realizing differences among kiddie, adolescent/young adult, and adult games.
  • 0
    Crystal Creation Jun 19, 07
    Like Infinite says, an M rating would suit it perfectly. And i'm sure a mature audience can handle this:

    quote
    unique combination of horrific violence and interactivity
    I can't help but think this whole article is being made out to be more of a deal than it actually is. it's just a video game.
  • 0
    Synergized Jun 20, 07
    I see where they are going with this, but seriously, just let it go. If people want it, they'll get it somehow. They'll just ask their older brother or sister (if they are old enough) or parents to get it for them and then teens will be playing AO rated games. What can they do?
  • 0
    StarJet Jun 20, 07
    if im not wrong, there are AO24+ games. anyway im in srilanka so ratings dont matter. ha ha im 16. then again i dont have a wii. so psp will be my version.

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