Rockstar strikes back on the banning of Manhunt 2

Final Blade | July 19, 2007 | News | Playstation 2 Wii

It seems Rockstar hasn't given up hope for Manhunt 2. They responded to a GamesIndustry.biz op/ed piece which supported the ban of the game titled "Sick Filth?". Rockstar explains that a ban in no way protects the industry from attacks by critics.

Dear Mr. Fahey,

We are responding to the article Sick Filth?, in which you expressed support for the ban of Manhunt 2.

Although censorship makes you "deeply uncomfortable" and you found the ban’s rationale "a less comfortable topic", you agreed with the judgment of the British Board of Film Classification that no one - regardless of age or personal opinion - should be allowed to consider playing Manhunt 2.

We are still exploring our options for Manhunt 2, but how does banning our game support the industry or further the development of the medium? Unlike a heavy-handed editor or a critical review of a game, a ban is punishment for deviating from tradition.

A ban denies everyone the chance to consider, experience, or discuss the actual game. The only obvious victor is the status quo.

You seem to view banning Manhunt 2 as a way to protect the industry from scrutiny and unfair attacks. In fact, a ban is a triumph for the industry’s harshest critics, not an act of diplomacy.

A ban is only likely to encourage those who believe video games, already the most regulated medium in entertainment history, should be further restricted.

News Story attached to:

Manhunt 2 [Wii, PSP, PS2]

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Comments

Comments with -10 or lower "thumbs" are removed from display.

2 thumbs!
Storm | July 19, 2007

Good for Rockstar. Manhunt 2 deserves a chance, regardless of being Ao. I sure hope Sony and Nintendo re-think their banning...because the only other option would Microsoft.
0 thumbs!
Insanity Prevails | July 19, 2007

So Rockstar are fully behind their game? Perhaps not too much of a surprise, given the amount of time they've no doubt spent on it. Will be interesting to see where this goes.
2 thumbs!
Gogetenks | July 19, 2007

I entirely agree. I won't be getting Manhunt 2, neither for my PS2 or my Wii, but I don't disapprove of it coming out. Honestly, are the people at Rockstar all murdering each other? Are they all hacking at each other with axes or smashing their co-worker's skulls with baseball bats? No. Just let the game come out. Retailers like WalMart and many others will not even sell the game, and retailers that will are forced to keep it away from minors. I haven't heard of any Manhunt-related deaths, I don't see why 2 would be any different.
0 thumbs!
nflsmc | July 19, 2007

Although I won't be getting this game (My dad is extremely against simulated violence. I had to buy CoD3 behind his back) I still think it should be alloud to be sold and played on Nintendo/Sony consoles.
4 thumbs!
black_wing79 | July 20, 2007

I think as a 22 year old, i feel insulted by people who believe that i may not be old enough to handle a game like manhunt 2. In fact every other person my age or older would feel the same. For crying out loud, its a GAME.. and they have already decided to make it AO.. If they can't even trust the adult population handle the game, then this world has really come to a sad sad state.

I mean we are taught to hold a rifle in the army to kill people for our country once we are 18 in most countries, but there are people who don't trust us with a videogame?
0 thumbs!
FRoGBuster | July 20, 2007

nice to hear. I like knowing Rockstar has personality like their name suggests. I continue to support them and their sick ideas.
0 thumbs!
Final Blade | July 20, 2007

Yes which is why i like supporting them as well. I love their games, and this is another game i also love. I hate it when they can decide what i should play when im 20, about to be 21 in 4 months, its outrageous.
- 1 thumbs!
  tidus04 | July 20, 2007
  
  6 Months ago and im sure this game would have come out with no problems but because of recent events it is being banned, which is a shame. I would one not get it but would not like others the chance of playing it and do hope they withdraw the idea of banning the game on the consoles.
0 thumbs!
Synthesis | July 20, 2007

Glad to hear Rockstar is behind their game. It would've been a waste if they weren't.
-1 thumbs!
BANDITO ATTACK | July 20, 2007

yah... i say give the game a chance. If people start running wild murdering people yelling 'MAAANHUUNTTTT'', then pull it from the shelves. =p
0 thumbs!
Capn Droid | July 21, 2007

I don't care. I'll never see the game.

I'll vote for it anyways.
-1 thumbs!
sten mk II | July 22, 2007

I don't care for the game really.

I think there should be a limit to the sickness of the game, to a certain extent.
- 0 thumbs!
  Final Blade | July 27, 2007
  
  Its called creativity, its not as bad as Saw or Hannibal
0 thumbs!
Dvader218 | August 01, 2007

It's a game for God's sake.It's not like people are acually doing what's in the game.Give it a chance.