Manhunt 2 release "temporarily suspended"

by Andrew Yoon { Jun 21st 2007 at 9:45PM }

Well, we can cross off one more game off the already-crowded PSP summer release calendar. Manhunt 2 was scheduled for release at the beginning of July, but due to its recent AO rating from the ESRB, Take-Two must reconsider. In a statement to Gamespot, Take-Two stated it has "temporarily suspended plans to distribute Manhunt 2 for the Wii or PlayStation platforms while it reviews its options with regard to the recent decisions made by the British Board of Film Classification and Entertainment Software Rating Board."

It seems like an edit of the game is most likely. However, they also admitted that "We continue to stand behind this extraordinary game. We believe in freedom of creative expression, as well as responsible marketing, both of which are essential to our business of making great entertainment." Let's hope the game doesn't undergo too much of a drastic change.

[Via Joystiq]

Tags: esrb, manhunt, manhunt 2, Manhunt2, take two, take-two, TakeTwo

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Camtheman @ Jun 21st 2007 10:03PM

BULLLL SH*! I can't believe this!!!! Fight the system... do like jt and janet and expose that TIT. America will adapt!

kingofwale @ Jun 21st 2007 10:04PM

I've said this before. T2. do NOT push Thompson and non-gamers out there, they are the majority and they are in control of our government, you WILL ruin gaming industry as a whole.

we are one GTAIV mission of plane crashing into a building away from a total violence ban on gaming. Please don't make Thompson's first victory be something that will affect a few generation of gamers.

Julio @ Jun 22nd 2007 1:20AM

censorship is never a good thing

Liqwid @ Jun 21st 2007 11:09PM

What's the use of an AO rating if console manufacturers won't accept it?

Sean @ Jun 21st 2007 11:23PM

Rockstar should release the full version on PC... I'd buy it.

Hector Martinez @ Jun 21st 2007 11:28PM

Mistake number one was making this for the Wii. Hacksaw wiimote action, FTW!!

Hashbrown_Hunter @ Jun 23rd 2007 7:20PM

what they COULD do is create two versions of the game: the original AO-rated game and a censored version.

Movies do it all the time, so why can't games? :D

kingofwale @ Jun 21st 2007 11:44PM

>4. What's the use of an AO rating if console manufacturers won't accept it?

Because considering Wii's demographics. AGE 4-12 and 66-123. Nobody will/can buy that game if it's AO.

too bad T2 cheaped out and didn't make the game to people who actually would buy this game, for PS3 and xbox.

cafecito @ Jun 21st 2007 11:56PM

Damn those British. They had to ruin this one for us!

It wasn't wise of Take-Two to plan this game for Wii, tho. Nintendos are pussies and everyone knows that. If this was a Sony exclusive there wouldn't be that much controversy.

Anyway. I just hope the game doesn't get butchered. I love virtual violence. Heals my everyday stress.

kingofwale @ Jun 21st 2007 11:59PM

>If this was a Sony exclusive there wouldn't be that much controversy.

True, although it would get all the xbots' panties in a knot. ;)

traviz @ Jun 22nd 2007 4:09AM

no wrong if it was just for play station then they would still be a big argument, and whats wrong with the wii its not just for kids or pussies, its selling more then ps3 and will prob out do the 360, its being said that it will be the best next gen, also i wouldn't mind hacking a guy with a wiimote sounds fun! and also i hope they don't water it down too much cause there is worse movies that has more blood and violence then any video game, by the way don't be a fan boy be a gamer!!! it would be good on all sytems psp to ps3 to wii to ds to 360 to pc ok maybe not ds but all the others would be fine

kingofwale @ Jun 22nd 2007 8:41AM

>its selling more then ps3 and will prob out do the 360,

A console war is to be fought out in years (10 years if you considering what PS1 and PS2's lifespans are), not 10 months, This is a marathon, not a 100 meter dash.

no Console will want an AO rating, I don't even think Microsoft wants that.

XenoPhage @ Jun 22nd 2007 8:46AM

There's a much larger issue here that everyone seems to be missing. An AO rating is considered to be the death of a game. As a result, there is a lot of pressure on the ESRB to not rate games as AO and instead slide them through as M. That's not a good thing at all because it reduces the effectiveness of the ESRB as a whole!

If console manufacturers would allow AO ratings on games, but enforce RESPONSIBLE advertising for those games, then I think things might be a little different. The ratings would make more sense, be more trustable, and developers wouldn't feel as much pressure to hide or play down content.

I have no problem whatsoever purchasing an AO rated game. I'm also a parent and I take the time to learn what each game is like and make informed decisions as to whether my children can play them.

Somehow I don't think the ban on AO ratings has anything at all to do with something so "pure" as preservatoin of our children, but is rather intended to prevent controversial material on their console. If AO rated sex simulators started coming out, it might ruin the image that both Nintendo and Sony have for their respective consoles. It's not a moral issue, it's a marketing issue. And it sucks.