So, What Am I Ranting about?
Ok, so as you may or may not know that Rockstar games (most famous for their Grand Theft Auto series of games) have been hard at work on a sequel for their 2003, Playstation 2 & X-Box game Manhunt. Although the game caused a lot of controversy for its portrayal of violence and murder, it was released with an 18 certificate in the UK and managed to sell suprisingly well, giving Rockstar their 2nd best selling series.
Of course, Rockstar wanted to continue their successes with a sequel. Plans were made and earlier in the year Manhunt 2 was announced for release on Wii, Playstation 2 and PSP. This caused quite a stir in the gaming community for 2 reasons. Firstly, the fact that a sequel was announced was quite suprising after some of the controvesy that surrounded the first game and secondly the decision to give the definitive version to the Nintendo Wii as, for those of you who dont know, this will be the first game made by Rockstar to feature on a Nintendo home console.
Production has been going swimmingly and many magazines and video games sites have been getting quite excited by a more mature-based game coming to Nintendo's, somewhat child-orientated games console.
Earlier in the week NGamer magazine (Based here in the UK) got the first review of the game and gave it a quite remarkable 92%. Their closing comments on the game being; 'As dark a game as we've ever played, Manhunt 2 is a brilliantly constructed piece of fanservice for horror enthusiasts and a masterclass in stealthy nastiness.'
Today I got the news however that the BBFC has decided to BAN the videogame within the united kingdom. This means that it is both illegal to sell or purchase the game anywhere within the UK. The Irish Film Censor's Office announced that the game would also not be available for sale in Ireland.
The Controversy
Manhunt is an incredibly violent video game that requires you to kill multiple human targets, but it does so by creating an atmosphere of deep psychological fear. I, will be the first to admit that Manhunt is hyper-gory and very very disturbing as a game to play. However I wasnt prepared for what I heard back in 2004 when a news story told of the death of 14 year old Stefan Pakeerah by his friend, 17 year old, Warren Le Blanc. Giselle Pakeerah, the victim's mother, claimed that Leblanc had been 'obsessed' with the game after the former pleaded guilty in court. However, both the police and the judge denied any link between the video game and the murder and cited drug related robbery as the motive. It later transpired that the murder did not own and had never played the game, and ironically Stefan Pakeerah did own the game despite being 4 years underage.
For the forthcoming release of Manhunt 2 both parents of Stefan Pakeerah lashed out at Rockstar games. On the announcement of Manhunt 2 Mr Pakeerah has said "I'm very disappointed. This is rubbing salt into the wounds in the month we will be marking the anniversary of Stefan's death." Although I do believe that it is slightly innappropriate for Rockstar to release the game on the anniversary of Stefans death as there has been no link between the game and the murder surely Rockstar can decide whenever it wants to release the game? Dont get me wrong, I understand the loss of a child must be devastating but I dont think the Pakeerah family are going about this the right way. Especially after it was proven that there was no link between the game and the murder.
The DecisionAfter some quite hefty lobbying against violent video games from the Pakeerah's and Leicester MP Keith Vaz, the BBFC has decided to ban the game today.
A full statement from the BBFC follows:
"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 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."
Rockstar Games has issued a statement following the decision from the BBFC and have 6 weeks to submit an appeal and I am sure they will. The statement follows:
"We are disappointed with the recent decision by the British Board of Film Classification to refuse classification of Manhunt 2. While we respect the authority of the classification 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."
On the week that Hostel 2 is released nationwide to cinema's with an 18 certificate it seems very hypocritical to ban a video game with very similar content. It is argued that, nowadays the BBFC takes a less strict approach to film and has been shown by some of the more recent horror and thriller films that are released so why should a similar medium be treated so differently?
Please express your opinions on this subject I want to know what you feel.
Labels: Censorship, Games, Manhunt 2, Playstation 2, PSP, Wii
Previous installments, Me & My Katamari and We Love Katamari were commercial flops in the US and europe despite being highly playable, brilliantly original and as sugar-sweet as sugar-coated sugar. I hope to god this game does well, as it is a series that should not fade away but im thinking the majority of X360 owners will be a little more interested in some sci-fi shooting sequel. Am I right?
