BBFC rejects Manhunt 2

[Zacker]

I don't really get much out of mindless violence in games -- I want a motivation for doing what I'm doing (proper objectives, army games, saving the world etc.)

Several of you have stated that it's not your kind of game. That's cool with me, it's not my kind of game either - but why on earth should this get it completely banned from release? It is utterly pathetic to believe that something you be banned just because it's not your taste.

[CrazyMAC]

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/website/Classifie ... enDocument

"When submitted to the BBFC the work had a running time of 34m 43s."

Kind of interesting.

[Thrik]

Probably for similar reasons that an explicit, graphic film following a group of guys going around raping young girls while painting the group as the protagonists would almost certainly be banned.

We don't live in a country where absolutely any form of artistic expression is allowed. There are boundaries, despite what Rockstar seem to think. This has been proven in the past, and it's just been proven again. I think if anything this is more of a message from the BBFC that getting more and more extreme/mindless isn't going to be tolerated. And from what I've read about Manhunt 2, it is (Was?) indeed going that way.

[Section_Ei8ht]

So... Manhunt 2 gets banned, whereas torture porn movies like Hostel 2 and Captivity are no biggie?

Yes, I realize that there is a slight difference in watching someone be brutally murdered on screen and picking up a controller and "actively participating" in one, but come on folks, isn't this why we have game ratings? If the game is too violent for little Timmy, then the stores shouldn't sell it to him and the parents shouldn't buy it for him.

Oh wait... never mind. I forgot, most parents are lazy, stupid idiots.

[Thrik]

Yeah, exactly. Most parents here don't actually realise that games can be so violent and adult in nature, which is why I think so many of them casually buy something like San Andreas for an 8-year-old without thinking anything of it.

It's pretty annoying that I know my younger siblings are seeing the kind of stuff those games have in them while going round and there's not a great deal you can do about it without coming across as an old asshole (especially if you try and lecture their parents, god forbid). This is why I think games like Manhunt not being on the market period isn't a particularly bad thing.

But as I said right up in my first post, it's hard to criticise the game when similarly violent games and films are freely available. The ratings system needs to be more consistent across all mediums and parents need to be more educated. I know PEGI is trying hard to do this with their refreshed, more informative site, but more is needed.

Censorship is always a touchy issue. I personally stand with the belief that it is acceptable to deny release to the most extreme examples of violence out there unless it's handled in a very tactful manner that goes some way to educate about the people who do it (like films who deal with rapists/etc as primary characters tend to) and look into their minds.

Yeah, I suppose you could say Manhunt lets you see inside the mind of a deranged stalking, murdering fuck. Not in a very intelligent way though really, is it?

[dux]

Meh this game is about as imaginative as dog shit on toast. Couldn't give a monkeys. And to be honest I think the bbfc are correct on this, unlike other countries they have their heads on straight.

[Wunderboy]

I'm with Thrik and dux.

And thats all I have to say on that matter /gump

[CrazyMAC]

I have to admit i'm not a fan of the manhunt games as far as uber entertainment goes. But i do believe i should have the right to choose if i want to buy it or not. Otherwise i feel like i've wasted my time learning right from wrong if people will just pick for me.

We all like different things. Just because a majority doesn't like it doesn't me we should ban it.

Maybe they need to create a 21 age rating to cover such things.

This game will now sell more because of this announcement...it's now become forbidden fruit.

So who wants togo into business with me and import copies

[Thrik]

I severely doubt it'll attract more sales as a result of this considering the opportunity for anyone in the UK to impulse buy it is removed. Your theory holds true if it does come out after all, though.

[Erratic]

It's kind of funny how quick everyone is to right a game off and approve the banning of it because you simply dislike it. It's as if the GTA games had no unjustified violence and it was all completely tasteful but because they're generally regarded as great & innovative it's okay.

I don't usually bring things down to black & white, but if you approve of GTA's content I can't see how you can be so strongly against Manhunt.

[Thrik]

Context is the foundation of all in life.

[Sentura]

it is at times like these i cherish not living in england... although times like these are few and far inbetween

[Thrik]

More seriously though, this is why in my above post I argued that parent education and more consistent rating would be far more effective than banning games like Manhunt.

I also don't approve of young kids playing the likes of San Andreas, but I know some of my younger sister's friends who're 9/10 have the game and that they play it while round there. Banning the game completely would clumsily achieve my desire of them not getting to play it, but so would making sure parents understand that the content is not fucking suitable for kids and not letting any of them play it.

The ratings system in games isn't taken too seriously at the moment, despite the same authority who rates films in this country dealing with them (and was responsible for banning Texas Chainsaw Massacre in the 70s). Perhaps a case of a game being completely banned like this and hitting the headlines might help parents realise that these games aren't just rated for fun and that the content really can be quite intense.

My stance on Manhunt itself remains fairly indifferent. I don't really care if it's used as a scapegoat/utility for sending out a message.

[Quakis]

Thrik pretty much sums up my opinion on this as well - besides I don't really care much for the game either way.

[CrazyMAC]

Well England does have the most relaxed rules for this kind of thing.

Manhunt 2 is a special case because of what happened with the first game. I don't believe for a second that's had no influence on this decision.

I don't think not liking the game is a good enough reason to agree with the ban