Manhunt 2 under fire, watchdog demands AO rating for Wii version
by Scott Jon Siegel 
{ Jun 19th 2007 at 2:27PM }
When it rains, it pours for Take Two Interactive and Rockstar. Most likely inspired by the UK's rejection of the game, the Center for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC) released a press release this morning, calling for the ESRB to give the Wii version of Manhunt 2 an Adults-Only rating.Game Politics reports that the press release was sent at the same time as a letter to ESRB president Patricia Vance. Both the letter and the press release call out the Wii version of the ultra-violent sequel for allowing players to act out forms of brutality using the Wii remote. The AO rating guarantees failure for any video game, as many mainstream retail stores refuse to carry titles bearing the Adults-Only symbol.
It's also worth noting that the PS2 and PSP versions of Manhunt 2 were not brought up by the CCFC, so it can be assumed that the standard control methods of these versions do not warrant a similar rating, by the CCFC's logic.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
vidGuy @ Jun 19th 2007 2:35PM
I'm buying it even if I have to fly to their headquarters to pick it up.
rockintom @ Jun 19th 2007 2:36PM
Freedom of speech and all that, but goddamn Rockstar loves the controversy.
Dustin @ Jun 19th 2007 2:38PM
Exactly, I can't imagine why anyone would have a problem with a AO rating. Although to be honest I'm not clear on if AO means 18+ or 21+, if it's 21+ then that IS stupid. However neither effect me, I could walk into the porn/liquor store and scope it up with my fake rape porn and bottle of everclear....
Anam @ Jun 19th 2007 2:39PM
I could see the Wii being rated differently. Ratings are all about informing parents about a product, and I think many parents would agree that pressing a button to strangle someone is different from physically acting it out.
Vidikron @ Jun 19th 2007 2:39PM
If it ever sees the light of day I'm buying it... simply because of all this non-sense. I don't if they can even possibly make it less violent without ruining the game, but they should try to make an M version for stores and sell the uncut AO version through their website.
Or if it gets canned one of the devs should leak it onto the net and watch it become a legend like Thrill Kill.
Anyway, you just have to love all the hypocrisy around stuff like this. The article mentions that many retailers won't carry AO games, which is true. But you ever wonder why the exact same outlets have no problem carrying "Unrated!" version of movies?
Why couldn't a game be sold as unrated? That's a literal feature in many movie sales.
emmzee @ Jun 19th 2007 2:40PM
I don't see the problem with this. The AO rating exists for a reason, and from the sounds of it this game deserves it; what game WOULD if this doesn't? Making it AO seems much more reasonable than the UK's censorship reaction. Besides, Rockstar might actually see a sales BOOST from this since more people would likely search it out and buy it online or whatever.
sheppy @ Jun 19th 2007 2:40PM
So help me god, if this fucks up Manhunt 2 the way they fucked up Punisher....
polly @ Jun 19th 2007 2:40PM
I still don't get the logic in AO vs M ratings. It's basically 18 & older vs 17 & older. That one year difference must be pretty important.
samfish @ Jun 19th 2007 2:44PM
You know, I wasn't planning on buying Manhunt 2, but if it gets an AO rating because the Crazy Christians and Stick-Up-The-Butt Liberals are joining together to stop it, I might have to buy it just to give the finger to them.
sheppy @ Jun 19th 2007 2:44PM
"I still don't get the logic in AO vs M ratings. It's basically 18 & older vs 17 & older. That one year difference must be pretty important."
As AO, it can be lumped in with the porno games and actively attacked. Many stores would rather just not sell it compared to dealing with AO ratings.
Pretty Obvious @ Jun 19th 2007 2:45PM
I hate the Wii, but this right here has gotten Nintendo another sale. Ill be picking this up to see what the hype is all about.
ysdarkfact @ Jun 19th 2007 2:47PM
If the movie Hostel can have an R rating, than this game can have an M rating.
copa @ Jun 19th 2007 2:47PM
AO is 18+, and sounds like an appropriate rating for the game from the descriptions.
Just because some mass-market retailers don't want to carry AO games doesn't mean that you shouldn't assign the rating if it is appropriate.
Abscissa @ Jun 19th 2007 3:50PM
"...(CCFC) released a press release this morning, calling for the ESRB to give the Wii version of Manhunt 2 an Adults-Only rating."
Morons morons everywhere...
sheppy @ Jun 19th 2007 2:48PM
I do have to say this, though. If this industry sees another Thrill Kill incident, I'm not sure how we'll weather the store. Also, Nintendo will be forever stuck with the kiddy image.
Rob Accomando @ Jun 19th 2007 2:49PM
...and thus, Nintendo finally sheds it's "kiddie image". But seriously. No shit it's a AO title. Kids aren't supposed to be playing these games even if it was M. How many games are there where you blow off peoples heads with guns? Those are "ok"?
hvnlysoldr @ Jun 19th 2007 2:49PM
Pure politics and economics. Stores take a lot of heat already for selling M rated games to children or their parents. How worse the reaction when they have games that are supposed to be completely unattainable for kids to play?
Vidikron @ Jun 19th 2007 2:49PM
I wonder what Nintendo thinks about all of this?
Jonathan @ Jun 19th 2007 2:51PM
Honestly, if THIS doesn't warrant an AO rating, then nothing does. There has to be a line. And this crosses it.
Dud @ Jun 19th 2007 2:52PM
So it looks like Nintendo is the only system to truly play Adult games now?
In what universe did I just warp into? This is awesome! More AO games please! If this means publishers don't have to hold back swearing, adult themed content, and basically put out HBO quality games, then I'm all for it!
polly @ Jun 19th 2007 2:52PM
"As AO, it can be lumped in with the porno games and actively attacked. Many stores would rather just not sell it compared to dealing with AO ratings."
No, I get that. I understand the defacto ban status AO games enjoy. I'm just saying from a completely unemotional and unpolitical viewpoint, we're talking about not letting 17 year olds play the game. How friggin retarded.
porkbiscuit @ Jun 19th 2007 3:08PM
The industry and morality police have themselves a little Catch-22. For the AO rating to have any legitimacy, it needs to be viable in the market. If anything, you'd think the clarity of the AO rating would be welcomed by all parties involved.
Truth is, the game probably does deserve an AO rating, but now it'll either have to be watered down or receive a dubious M rating.
Vidikron @ Jun 19th 2007 2:56PM
They should put it on the shelf with one of those black plastic bags over it like many porno mags. That would be classic.
bigd7387 @ Jun 19th 2007 3:05PM
Whats worse than story is Nintendo still can't shake the image of being a little kids system. This is what hurts them because developers don't want to sell to just kids.
Rob Accomando @ Jun 19th 2007 2:59PM
I can see the news now. "Nintendo releases first murder simulator." Reggie must have crapped himself just now.
samfish @ Jun 19th 2007 3:01PM
"I'm just saying from a completely unemotional and unpolitical viewpoint, we're talking about not letting 17 year olds play the game. How friggin retarded."
I've known quite a few 17 year olds who REALLY shouldn't be playing games like GTA...furthermore Manhunt 2, from the sound of it.
Jacob @ Jun 19th 2007 3:01PM
AO sounds good to me. This game shouldn't be in the hands of children. Yeah, its a commercial death sentence, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't get the rating. Just wish the BBFC had thought the same thing...oh well, I'll just import the French version..
Tom @ Jun 19th 2007 3:04PM
I said it a few weeks back, and I'll say it again- I do not think Nintendo will allow this game to be released on the Wii. They are making plenty of money from the Wii and DS as is, this game will not help them financially at all- it will only hurt them.
vidGuy @ Jun 19th 2007 3:05PM
"we're talking about not letting 17 year olds play the game. How friggin retarded."
Not really. An M rated game IS for 17+ but it isn't regulated, controlled, and outright banned like AO games are. Most stores and rental places still sell M rated games to those under 17. AO games are hard to get ahold of, even for adults.
I'd sell it either with a RP rating (hahaha, the rating is still pending, right?) or with an unrated label. I don't care what they rate it, as long as I can buy the uncensored version here in the US.
Sam G. @ Jun 19th 2007 3:42PM
"Mr. Fils-Aime? It's Jack Thompson On Line 2."
Karen @ Jun 19th 2007 3:10PM
From reading the previews it sounds like an AO game anyway. Give it the rating it deserves. Rockstar can deal with the finical issues of trying to sell it with an AO rating. They made them game.
Tom @ Jun 19th 2007 3:10PM
Continued from #26- Nintendo does not need this kind of media/political, etc pressure right now. Releasing this game will only hurt them in the long run- they are at the top of the world right now, the DS and Wii are #1 all around the world- why would they want to damage their image and do something that may hurt them PR wise?
Fuzzmosis @ Jun 19th 2007 3:16PM
I need to be in favor of having it rated a M or AO. Even if it is only 1 year difference. Simply because unrated or rating pending will probably allow a few sales to younger consumers.
Now ultimately, it's the parents who get to explain video games != reality, but hence why you'd let them buy the game for the kids (M/AO). Since you can't educate everyone, and people are stupid, AO seems to send a more direct message. Of course, if the Wii game is AO, why the other versions wouldn't be is beyond me. After all, it's just "waggle" controls. Apparently, "Waggle" controls not only make games worse, but much more graphic according to those who dislike it. Which is perplexing.
vidGuy @ Jun 19th 2007 3:18PM
I disagree, Tom, I think if the Wii is really going to "appeal to everyone" like it is Nintendo's plan to do, they need to appeal to the gamers that are interested in these games.
And as much mainstream attention as the Wii is getting for being family friendly, I think it needs some news that it offers more than Wii Sports to float out there.
Plus, it's not Nintendo's game. They'll get mentioned, but they didn't create the content anymore than Sony did. Acting out murder isn't Nintendo's MO; they just made the tools available to make videogames more interactive. I think that's a good message.
sheppy @ Jun 19th 2007 3:18PM
"Nintendo does not need this kind of media/political, etc pressure right now."
Nintendo still hasn't recovered from Grey Sweat. If Nintendo truly wants to be viewed as a console for everyone, they need to defend this game. Political pressure be damned. Do you really think bible thumpers can stop the DS?
Mandingo Chief @ Jun 19th 2007 3:19PM
1) The Wii version has the same content as the PS2 - either both or neither should get the AO rating.
2) If a parent buys their kid an M rated game, then they should be thrown in prison like the lady who bought beer for her son's highschool graduation party.
3) Wii games such as Twilight Princess, Red Steel, Medal of Honor, and Call of Duty 3 ALL had you slashing or impaling individuals with swords, beating them with blunt objects, grappling with them, shooting them with a variety of weapons, and tossing nasty explosive devices at them. None of those games raised a stink with anyone. What's the difference now?
Catprog @ Jun 19th 2007 3:22PM
2 things
Why is the Wii singled out.
Nintendo would actually like this publicity - no more kiddie image
shinsnake @ Jun 19th 2007 6:40PM
The perfect solution is that stores remove their ban of AO games but actually enforce that they can't be sold to anyone under the age of 18 or 21 or whatever the case may be. Then this gets rated AO and people who meet the aforementioned criteria and want it can get it.
Darcrequiem @ Jun 19th 2007 3:21PM
I guess no one has played The Godfather on Wii. It has an M Rating and you can use motion controls to punch, strangle, execute, etc. people in that game. Where was all the hub bub then? I guess motion controlled strangulation and executions are only a problem if Rockstar is producing the game.
Lucky @ Jun 19th 2007 3:24PM
So if waveing around the wii mote teaches me to kill, then way haven't I learned to play tennis yet?
Dan @ Jun 19th 2007 3:24PM
PEOPLE ARE STUPID, I WISH I COULD CREATE A BIOLOGICAL WEAPON THAT ONLY TARGETED STUPID PEOPLE SO THE WORLD WOULD BE RID OF DUMB ASSESS AND WE WOULDNT HAVE TO DEAL WITH DUMB CRAP LIKE THIS.
Guess, where I got that idea... a freakin book!
Let's ban Tom Clancy books!
hvnlysoldr @ Jun 19th 2007 3:25PM
The title is Manhunt. As in you're hunting men to brutally slaughter them according to the censors.
Twinkie @ Jun 27th 2007 11:57AM
or they could keep the games behind the counter and just ask for ID.....
Quentin @ Jun 19th 2007 3:39PM
Darcrequiem, the only reason why this game is getting more notoriety are for several reasons.
1) It's a game by Rockstar, a company that is alway rife for controversy. The Godfather is based on a established movie series, so most people people assume what happens with that.
2) This game is already banned in the UK, so that might have raised a few more eyebrows. Also, a crazed-nut job massacre chaser from South Florida further complicates things.
Plaid Ninja @ Jun 19th 2007 3:35PM
I call for the immediate dismantling of the CCFC.
Lucky @ Jun 19th 2007 3:35PM
I think what alot of people here are missing is we don't know what's in the game yet.
If any one here reads "Vampire Earth", then you know what over the top volince is. The things in that book can make you sick to your stomic and I don't dare post them here in fear of getting banned.
I dought Manhunt will involve the same level of volince and mutilation. When I game has you cutting off a man's unmentionbales and putting them in his own mouth. That sould get a AO rateing.
I dought this will be anything we haven't seen yet. People are makeing a moutien out of a mole hill. When you've seen what's in the game 1st, then you can demand a higher rateing.
Jonathan Tran @ Jun 19th 2007 3:36PM
The difference between this and godfather: I am pretty sure you don't use tools to remove peoples' family jewels in that game, while the remote shakes to their convulsions and their screams come through the wiimote speaker amirite??
is there any part of godfather where you turn the "screwdriver" into someones "eye" and get "points" for it?
I do think AO is dumb, as if magically between being 17 and 18 a person learns how to deal with abject depravity.
But the game DOES deserve it. NO CHILD should be recommended to play this game. ha
Blazur @ Jun 19th 2007 3:37PM
Hooray for free publicity!
megaStryke @ Jun 19th 2007 3:37PM
Some people here say that Nintendo shouldn't allow this game to be released because the Wii is geared for children. These same people criticize the Wii for not catering to the older demographic. The mind reels.
Anyway, Nintendo isn't going to pull shit. Reggie was the guy who pushed Rockstar to bring this game on over. Like hell he's gonna say, "Uh-uh. Nope."
Mr Khan @ Jun 19th 2007 3:41PM
The free publicity for Nintendo just gets better and better
Again:
RIP Nintendo's "kiddie 3rd party games" record
Born: Mortal Kombat w/no blood (SNES)
Died: Manhunt 2 w/ real murder simulations (Wii)