AO-rated PC version of Manhunt 2 releasing next week

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 31st 2009 at 1:30PM }

If you thought Manhunt 2 had reached the pinnacle of mature content in video games, you better guess again. The controversy-garnering title will be re-released on Direct2Drive next week for $29.99 -- only this time around, it's packing an AO rating. As those who lived through Mahuntgate surely remember, that was planned to be the original rating for the game, before the ESRB rolled up, and was all like "what? You want to stick shards of glass into another man's ear? No. No, sir."

Rockstar has remained mum about what the new rating will entail, but our guess is that it will incorporate more graphic forms of violence, and perhaps a few extra dirty words. We've contacted Rockstar to get more specific details on the mature-r content, and to find out when we can expect the Early Childhood version of the game to hit store shelves.

[Via Big Download]

Tags: adults-only, ao, direct2drive, download, manhunt-2, Manhunt2, rating, RockStar

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

JoeStillLife @ Oct 31st 2009 1:35PM

$30 seems a bit much

Tiptup300 @ Oct 31st 2009 2:37PM

Everyone buy the game to show that AO games should be more available in the overall marketplace.

Avatar @ Oct 31st 2009 2:38PM

That's what tmac told your mom, but he still paid.

copa @ Oct 31st 2009 3:33PM

Everyone do not buy this game to show that we would like AO games that are actually targeted at adults, not childish gore-porn fests.

I'd love to play an AO version of Heavy Rain. I have zero interest in an AO version of Manhunt 2.

freaparn @ Oct 31st 2009 11:13PM

Right idea, wrong game franchise. As copa suggested, support for the AO movement would be better invested in something like Heavy Rain than Manhunt 2. Maybe Quantic Dream will release an uncensored version via a digital channel in light of this, however.

Fullmetal Salchemist @ Nov 2nd 2009 1:52PM

I agree with copa, unless an AO version of Heavy Rain would be the same as the regular version, only with more tits added for no reason, because "childish gore-porn fests" are pretty much the same as regular porn fests in terms of childishness.

Bane @ Oct 31st 2009 1:36PM

I wish games would get the same treatment as other forms of media. The fact that we are just now seeing a Adults Only version of this game is pretty ridiculous.

Huey2k2 @ Oct 31st 2009 1:48PM

As far as I was told this is the fault of MS/Nintendo/Sony.

It's my understanding that AO games aren't technically "banned" the big 3 just refuse to support them so it's pointless to make them.

Shadow31 @ Oct 31st 2009 2:07PM

@ Huey2k2: You're half true. The bigger issue wasn't consoles banning it, though, but rather, most stores refuse to sell AO games, whether offline or on. Even if they released a PC version at that point in time, it would've had to be downloadable or they wouldn't be able to get many sales.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6172931.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews;title;0

Huey2k2 @ Oct 31st 2009 2:36PM

Of course there is also the point that if the ratings board didn't give the game an AO rating in the first place, then none of this would matter.

Most horror movies are a lot more brutal than video games are but they don't get rated out of theatres. This is the only thing that really bothers me.

Levi @ Oct 31st 2009 3:06PM

Yeah, but the distinction tht they make is that you are the guy exevuting the brutality in games, and you're only watching it in movies. I still don't think it even comes close to making a difference.

Mr Khan @ Oct 31st 2009 4:50PM

The big three refuse to license it, which makes it banned by default. Certain stores refuse to stock them, but it's a moot point.

Darth Bradwart, Dark Lord of the Sith @ Oct 31st 2009 1:39PM

I hope they bring this 'Uncut' version to consoles, even if it's just a PSN release.

Ratings Boards, stop censoring my games! If I want to see it, then let me!

finnith @ Oct 31st 2009 1:51PM

They'll never do that, but digitally distributing them seems like a decent idea, as I don't think most people under the age of 18 either aren't aware of the service, or don't have their own credit card. I know you can still get credit cards if you're younger than 18 but I haven't met many (if any) people with credit cards at that age. Maybe it's just Canada, I dunno.

Shadow31 @ Oct 31st 2009 2:13PM

Sorry, no consoles, at all. The companies refuse to support them and most stores refuse to sell them. So it'd be a waste of money for them to try and make them for consoles.

Papa Midnight @ Oct 31st 2009 2:20PM

Won't happen. All 3 console manufacturers refuse to provide support for it.

HighFiveJesus @ Oct 31st 2009 1:40PM

i wonder what improvements it'll have.

Gibbeynator @ Oct 31st 2009 1:53PM

Well, maybe it has the feature to suck less...

Jose [Steam & PSN: Assmar] @ Oct 31st 2009 2:12PM

Improved graphics most definitely. But no waggle. I don't know if I'm the only one that will be disappointed by the feeling of shanking someone with a mouse instead of a waggly wand.

den-69 @ Nov 1st 2009 9:50AM

They will just remove all the filter blur stuff that made the game unplayable lol

Conor @ Oct 31st 2009 1:56PM

It's just the same game that was released in the stores with the filter turned off in the killing/execution sequences.
I "acquired" the version uncut version that was released in the Netherlands for the PSP and this was the only difference I saw.

The Aquacharger (PSN:Elvenmonk) @ Oct 31st 2009 2:02PM

No incase you forgot ESRB told them they could only sell 1/4th of the game. So when they made it world wide they only sold the 1/4th version. We were suppose to go way past the cemetary. We were also suppose to be able to throw a cat in a microwave!

Jawmuncher (PSN & XBL:Jawmuncher) @ Oct 31st 2009 2:24PM

I don't know if he's lying or telling the truth.
Since I could see rockstar letting you put a cat in the microwave just for the hell of it

Mike @ Oct 31st 2009 1:57PM

Just trying to squeeze out some sales. Doubt they "added" anything at all besides allow for some old content that originally got axed to appease retail stores.

Not to mention, after the shitstorm that was GTA IV PC, a Games for Windows branded Rockstar game is the LAST thing I want on my PC.

Levi @ Oct 31st 2009 3:08PM

Highly doubt this will take as much as GTAIV PC does.

Zing @ Oct 31st 2009 2:05PM

So whats the difference between AO and 18?

Shadow31 @ Oct 31st 2009 2:11PM

Mature is 17+. AO is 18+. Somehow a year makes a whole lot of difference.

F1: Basu Gasu Bakuhatsu @ Oct 31st 2009 4:53PM

+17 still has restrictions on what you can put in your game. AO is essentially letting the wolfs out of the gate. Japan drives home this point with all of their PC porn/tentacle games.

BukChoi @ Oct 31st 2009 2:08PM

nothing really
think of difference between manslaughter vs homicide.
and just a thought

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_AO-rated_products

F1: Basu Gasu Bakuhatsu @ Oct 31st 2009 4:55PM

Manslaughter means that it was an act of extreme passion or complete accident. Homicide means that you planned out the dirty deed.
Still the line between the two is rather blurry.

RKN @ Oct 31st 2009 2:11PM

These AO games are pretty much possible only on the PC, Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo refuse AO rated games on their platform.

Josh @ Oct 31st 2009 2:24PM

A-ha! So this is a way to get around B&M stores not carrying AO games.

Very good.

KeenCommander @ Oct 31st 2009 3:07PM

I'm sure it's still going to be a crappy game, censored or not.

jamesmace86 @ Oct 31st 2009 3:44PM

If this were $20 or less and was on Steam then I would likely buy it.
$30 is too much for my level of interest in the game.

F1: Basu Gasu Bakuhatsu @ Oct 31st 2009 4:57PM

Even if it was 20 why would you put this on your drive? I can name 3 games off the top of my head that are far more cheaper and fun.

-Z- @ Oct 31st 2009 3:38PM

Those 3 people that buy it are going to be ecstatic.

Stanup @ Oct 31st 2009 4:09PM

Does anyone actually care about Manhunt 2?

emperorzeroxx @ Oct 31st 2009 4:24PM

I hope this actually sells well, maybe in the future when games are only sold as digital content... they will start making more AO rated games without stupid censorship...

Mr Khan @ Oct 31st 2009 4:52PM

We all complain, but movies basically go the same way in that regard. NC17 is the equivalent rating to AO, and NC17 receives pretty much the same ostracism, most theatres refuse to run them.

BukChoi @ Oct 31st 2009 5:19PM

i know the differnce, but in the end, they're both still murder, some one still dies, and the degree is just us trying to put a reason to an end.
much like the AO vs 18+ rating.

captainprotonx @ Oct 31st 2009 6:32PM

This game is still making news?

Knowledge @ Nov 1st 2009 11:53AM

FINALLY!! An uncut Manhunt 2! I WILL get this immediately!

liquid @ Oct 31st 2009 7:45PM

Good. I've been waiting for this for so long. No amount of violence will be enough for me, but this is good enough for now.

Number_Zero @ Oct 31st 2009 8:36PM

Is it gonna be more like the beta version I heard about with civilians walking around, censor patch removed, and a rating system due to how violent your kills are? If not, pass.

GlassAgate @ Oct 31st 2009 9:41PM

Does Valve allow AO games on Steam?

Gibbeynator @ Nov 1st 2009 8:06AM

Not to my knowledge. After all, they have Indigo Prophecy instead of Fahrenheit on there.

Darth Bradwart, Dark Lord of the Sith @ Nov 1st 2009 10:39AM

Everytime I hear someone talk about 'Fahrenheit' I think of the Sega CD title. Had to look it up to see there is a different game using the same name. Big difference between the two.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fahrenheit_%281994_video_game%29

Lurkero @ Oct 31st 2009 10:40PM

Should have been $20 and should not have come out during the holiday season.

Nobody will care about Manhunt 2 when L4D2, MW2 and AC2 are going to be released in the coming weeks.