Also, we think it's a bit of a strange choice for Amazon to offer as a deal. We wonder if they'll be getting an angry letter from Jack Thompson any time soon.
Gallery: Manhunt2
Posts with tag manhunt2
Murder training for cheap at Amazon
Also, we think it's a bit of a strange choice for Amazon to offer as a deal. We wonder if they'll be getting an angry letter from Jack Thompson any time soon.
Dr. Tanya Byron explains her report findings, stance on games
Following her report (which follows all of the Manhunt 2 ruckus), UK psychologist Dr. Tanya Byron sat down to discuss some things with Next-Gen. While we don't know much about her, what with us living across the pond and all, she does come off as kind of grounded and level-headed about all of this.It seems that she's very much for adult content in games, just that the adult content in question should only be accessible by, you know, adults. "There's a huge moral debate around content in videogames," she says, "I'm very clear, that wasn't the remit of my review to pass judgment on that and I do believe that content for adults is content for adults. It should be rated that way."
She goes on further to add: "I can understand that gamers fear that there will be a 'you can't play these games anymore.' I've not said that, I'd never say that, and certainly if I heard people beginning to use my review to try and imply that I will be very quick to say that that was not and will not be a recommendation of mine."
While we're not resident of the UK, we're incredibly interested in where this is all going. Ratings improvements can be made worldwide, we're sure, and we'd like to see a world where it doesn't take an incredibly-long time to release a game because a bunch of uninformed people are too busy arguing about how it's going to train your kid to kill.
Byron calls for more BBFC action, ratings system overhaul
As you all probably know, following the whole Manhunt 2 thing, noted psychologist in the country Dr. Tanya Byron was knee-deep in an investigation into the effects of games and internet media on children in the UK. Her verdict? The BBFC should have a bigger role in rating games (right now, they only intervene on games flagged with violent, sexual and criminal content).Her solution involves a new 12+ classification, as well as the BBFC handling just about all duties involving rating games. But, as anticipated, she's also endorsed the PEGI system, as well. She hopes that the PEGI ratings can go on the back of the game's box, with the BBFC classification being displayed on the front.
This is all just the tip of the iceberg, however. Her report has lots more interesting information, so for the rest, head on over to Game Politics.
[Via Joystiq]
Many call for BBFC to step aside from games following Manhunt 2 ordeal
Darren Waters, editor of BBC News' technology index, rips apart the BBFC, stating "The grudging nature of the BBFC's statement, that it now has "no alternative" but to grant the title a certificate, coupled with the fact the body went to the High Court, twice rejected the game itself and tried to overturn the original judgment of the VAC leaves the organization with its credibility bruised."
Others have come through to voice their concerns, as well. General consensus seems to be that the new classification system will fall squarely on the shoulders of PEGI (Pan European Game Information), another games classification system that is completely voluntary on the part of the game developers.
Gallery: Manhunt2
[Via Go Nintendo]
The Manhunt is back on in the UK
Although we've really heard nothing but bad things about Manhunt 2, surely some of you in the UK are happy to hear about this new state of affairs involving the game? Not like it matters, because thanks to the Freeloader, you could have just imported the game from North America.
Gallery: Manhunt2
[Thanks, Jon!]
And the Manhunt 2 saga continues
Although Rockstar won the appeal to get the controversial Manhunt 2 rated in the UK, the battle is far from over. The BBFC is now challenging the verdict by applying for a judicial review of the Video Appeals Committee's decision. The BBFC is adamant about its course of action, stating, "The VAC judgment, if allowed to stand, would have fundamental implications with regard to all the Board's decisions, including those turning upon questions of unacceptable levels of violence." Won't someone think of the children?The BBFC is also trying to have the VAC's decision suspended, so that the Board doesn't have to rate the game until after the judicial review.
While it seems no one cares about playing Manhunt 2 anymore, the final outcome is certain to have repercussions for rating games (in the UK, at least) in the future.
[Via press release]
Rockstar fights Manhunt 2 ban in UK, wins (for now)
You may remember that Rockstar appealed the BBFC's decision to refuse to rate Manhunt 2. Well, things seem to be finally going Rockstar's way, for once, as the Video Appeals Committee ruled in favor of the publisher by four votes to three. So, does this mean that this whole fiasco is over and Manhunt 2 will finally get its 18 rating? Not exactly. The BBFC can still take the case to the High Court in order to try to keep the ban on the game.
Whether you care about Manhunt 2 or not, we've already seen how the decision to ban the title in the UK has affected other games. At least this appeal is a step in the right direction regarding video game censorship.
BBFC: No definitive connection between games and violence
At yesterday's appeal hearing, BBFC spokesperson Andrew Caldecott stated "The board's position is that there is insufficient evidence to prove, as a fact, there is a causal connection between violent games and behavioural harm." Caldecott goes on further to say "It's a perfectly fair point, and one which we accept, but it's not by any means a complete answer to the question the [Video Appeals Committee] has to decide."
Caldecott further explains that the lack of a definitive link isn't enough to rule out the possibility of one, saying "The research certainly achieves the objective of establishing that research does not demonstrate that there is a causal link. But what it certainly does not establish is that there isn't." No matter how you look at, this is definitely an argument that isn't going to go away for quite some time.
Rockstar begins their British appeal
Today begins the official start of Rockstar's appeal to the BBFC decision to provide Manhunt 2 with no rating, effectively banning the game in the country. GamesIndustry.biz is on-hand to provide the blow-by-blow for us, with Geoffrey Robertson representing Rockstar. Robertson thinks the BBFC is "simply ignorant of the gaming experience." Robertson went on to say that "There's no evidence that playing interactive videogames leads to a propensity to act them out in real life. We wonder why Manhunt 2 has been singled out for special treatment."The rest of today's proceedings went as one would imagine, with Rockstar pleading their case and the BBFC intently paying attention. We'll bring you more as the story develops.
[Via Joystiq]
When Senators attack: Politicians target ESRB and Wii
The Senators are pretty ticked off at the ESRB for not being as censor vicious as the BBFC. But the ramifications of the Senators' attack on the ESRB go deeper than Manhunt 2, and may affect the video game industry in general if the ESRB is put under the "thorough review" that they are demanding.
Even worse, the Senators are calling for more extreme ratings on the Wii, due to the console's motion-sensitive controller. They argue that the Wiimote "permits children to act out each of the many graphic torture scenes and murders."
Of course, they don't acknowledge the fact that children shouldn't be playing Manhunt 2 at all, since the game was given a "Mature" rating by the ESRB, and one of the few ways they can even play the game is with parental permission. If children playing mature games is really their concern, perhaps the Senators should be putting parents under review, and not the ESRB. Those old enough to play violent games can differentiate between using waggle and using real weapons, making separate Wii ratings unnecessary.
At times like these, we really yearn for Stephen Colbert to make a political comeback.
More Manhunt 2 promo stuff hits eBay
Wow, that's the second time this week that looking at Manhunt stuff turned our thoughts to the end of society. Maybe there is something to all the protesting.
[Via GameSniped]
Collect some evidence of Manhunt 2 before the game disappears
The set contains: a T-shirt, a DVD, two fake hospital identification bracelets, a Wiimote strap, a fake hospital memo, a poster, a ubiquitous Rockstar sticker, and a flimsy connection to gaming controversy that we'll take as an invitation to link to this Night Trap video again.
Also found in today's GameSniped update: a Miyamoto-autographed Mario 64 cartridge, and a weird NES repair center thing.
[Via GameSniped]
Rumor: Manhunt 2 being pulled from Target stores
Adding further basis to the rumor, Target's website states that the PSP version of Manhunt 2 is not available in stores, although it can be purchased online. The PS2 and Wii versions are not even listed on the site.
If this rumor turns out to be true, it won't be good news for Rockstar, especially if other retailers follow suit. As of now, though, these rumblings apply to Target stores only.
WRUP: Double dose edition [update]
Two very high profile games released this week, in both Manhunt 2 and Battalion Wars 2. While we have yet to give the former a try, we've been all over the latter thanks to Nintendo. The game is, seriously, very good. You don't need our review to know that (it's coming as soon as possible!). So, if we had to suggest one game to pick up this week, it would definitely be that.Of course, who are we to say what you should play? Have something else in mind? Please, do share.
Update: Oh, and let's not forget Guitar Hero III. Guess it's a triple does week. Damn this holiday season and its tons of releases.
Rockstar fails to give credit where credit is due
With the recent release of Manhunt 2, and all the controversy surrounding it, the Rockstar Vienna studios that had to close their doors while working on the title (which you may remember was downgraded from AO to M) is a bit ticked off right now. Turns out, Rockstar omitted the entire team of over 50 folks who worked hard on the game from its end credits. And now, ex-producer Jurie Horneman is fuming. He has a plan to fix the situation, however, and "intends to correct an inaccuracy in the game's credits, namely the over 55 missing Rockstar Vienna employees who worked on the game from January 2004 until the studio was closed down on May 11th 2006." He further documents his disdain for Rockstar by adding "I am disappointed and outraged that Rockstar Games tries to pretend that Rockstar Vienna and the work we did on Manhunt 2 never happened - the work of over 50 people, who put years of their lives into the project, trying to make the best game they could. I am proud to have been a part of that team."
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