It looks like Rockstar may have to go back to the drawing board for a second time as the British Board of Film Classification has again rejected Manhunt 2. The first version of the game was rejected by the BBFC in June, which caused Rockstar to tone down the violence before resubmitting it for review.

"We recognize that the distributor has made changes to the game, but we do not consider that these go far enough to address our concerns about the original version," said David Cooke, director of the BBFC. "The impact of the revisions on the bleakness and callousness of tone, or the essential nature of the gameplay, is clearly insufficient. There has been a reduction in the visual detail in some of the 'execution kills,' but in others they retain their original visceral and casually sadistic nature."

Cooke said the BBFC made even more suggested changes that went ignored, which caused the second rejection. It's interesting to see the BBFC's latest decision as the ESRB recently awarded the revised Manhunt 2 a Mature rating after it initially rejected it, too. Take 2 has the right to appeal the decision, and frankly, we hope they do.

Supposedly, a leaked version of an early "uncut" PS2 Manhunt 2 is making its rounds on the internet. To prove the authenticity of the leak, videos of the game can be found on YouTube, such as the game's sufficiently violent introduction. We don't see anything particularly "Adults Only" about the intro, which has us questioning the ESRB's original decision. Perhaps the game becomes far more gruesome later on?

See the video after the break. Because the game is rated M for Mature, you must be 17 or older to view the clip.

[Update: Rockstar has already removed the video from YouTube.]
[Thanks, bob! Via Maxconsole]

Although Manhunt 2 will be censored in the US, an uncut, unedited version of the controversial Rockstar game will appear in Holland. In a letter to Parliament, Justice Minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin said: "The current law is based on the principle that every adult is considered capable of deciding for himself which games he wants to play, unless it contains illegal material." He added that keeping a watchful eye on the content in games is "the joint responsibility of parents, the audiovisual industry and the government."

While we'd love for other nations to take an equally liberal approach to games, it appears that Holland is reconsidering its laws. According to MCV, the ministry was now examining whether new laws or policies were needed "to better protect the youth."

The game will be released in Holland uncensored, but there's no word on the fate of Manhunt 2 in the UK, where the game is still banned, according to Next-Gen.

After receiving the much-feared AO rating from the ESRB, Take-Two Interactive had no choice but to delay Rockstar's Manhunt 2 and edit some of its more questionable moments. It looks like whatever they did, the ESRB is now satisfied enough to give the game a toned down, but still restrictive M rating. With an M rating, the game can now be sold in retail stores -- something the AO rating didn't allow.

"Manhunt 2 is important to us, and we're glad it can finally be appreciated as a gaming experience," said Sam Houser, founder and executive producer of Rockstar Games. "We love the horror genre. Manhunt 2 is a powerful piece of interactive story telling that is a unique video game experience. We think horror fans will love it."

With an M rating secured, Mahunt 2 will ship to retailers this Halloween, October 31st.

Rockstar has taken time to thank the concerned fans, who e-mailed them about Manhunt 2 being halted from release. "We wanted to thank everyone who has taken the time to contact us about Manhunt 2, which we had been planning to release on PlayStation 2, PSP and Nintendo Wii." Rockstar's response continued, "As you know, Manhunt 2 was effectively banned around much of the world, after it was refused certification in the United Kingdom, prohibited in Ireland, and denied an M rating in the United States."

"We are very proud of Manhunt 2 and believe it builds on what the team accomplished with the first title in the series. The game was developed as a horror experience, and to be an M rated title, aligning it with similar horror content created in other forms of media. Unlike many other people, we do no think videogames should be singled out for special treatment from authorities. We hope to have more information for you soon, but in the meantime, we wanted you to know how much we value all of your messages of support."

We couldn't agree more, all forms of entertainment should be held to the same standards. Let's hope it isn't long until that ideal becomes a reality.

[Via Games Radar]

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]

After being rejected by the BBFC in the UK, Rockstar's Manhunt 2 is seemingly getting banned in America as well. According to Game Politics, the "murder simulator" is getting an AO (Adults Only) rating, which effectively bans it from all major video game retailers.

Take Two games will certainly fight this decision as fiercely as possible in the coming days. Remember, the game's release is supposed to be only a few weeks away ...

[Via Joystiq]

The hotly anticipated Manhunt 2 may not see release in the UK, due to its rejection from the BBFC ratings board. David Cooke, Director of the BBFC said: "Manhunt 2 is distinguishable from recent high-end video games by its unremitting bleakness and callousness of tone in an overall game context which constantly encourages visceral killing with exceptionally little alleviation or distancing. There is sustained and cumulative casual sadism in the way in which these killings are committed, and encouraged, in the game."

"Against this background, the Board's carefully considered view is that to issue a certificate to Manhunt 2, on either platform, would involve a range of unjustifiable harm risks, to both adults and minors, within the terms of the Video Recordings Act, and accordingly that its availability, even if statutorily confined to adults, would be unacceptable to the public."

The Video Recordings Act allows game distributors to appeal the decision, which we're certain Rockstar will want to take advantage of. This is a monumental decision in the games industry; the last video game to be refused a classification was Carmageddon in 1997 (which was later overturned by an appeal).


[Via press release]

PSP Fanboy offers the latest and greatest movie and game trailers, formatted for the PSP in this new weekly feature. Check it out every Saturday. PSP owners can download files wirelessly via m.pspfanboy.com.

Instructions: Save all movie and thumbnail files to the VIDEO folder. These high resolution 480x272 videos require firmware 3.30 or above. (Note: OE custom firmware will also play these videos.)

New for PSP: Get selected videos delivered automatically to your PSP via our new RSS feed.

For our late-night readers, get a taste of Rockstar's upcoming Manhunt 2. We don't know much about the game except that it will be crazy. And there will be lots and lots of killing. We're not sure what system is shown in the trailer (Wii, PS2 or PSP), but we're confident that all three versions of this title will look pretty much the same.

The ominous narrator at the end reminds us that the title is not yet rated ... but we're going to take a gander and assume it'll get an Mature rating.

Rockstar's Manhunt was a game you either enjoyed, or hated. But have you really "experienced" Manhunt? Playing with the lights out in an empty apartment intensifies the experience tenfold (as a certain PSP Fanboy contributor would attest).

Well boys and girls, Manhunt 2 is on the way and looking markedly better, with sharper textures, an all new plot line, stealthier character moves and more intelligent AI. We can't wait for the sequel, but we do often question Rockstar's love for flowing newspapers. Do they not have any trashcans laying around? Nevertheless, feast your looking balls on these new screens and prepare for round 2.

PSP Fanboy offers the latest and greatest movie and game trailers, formatted for the PSP in this new weekly feature. Check it out every Saturday. PSP owners can download files wirelessly via m.pspfanboy.com.

Instructions: Save all movie and thumbnail files to the VIDEO folder. These high resolution 480x272 videos require firmware 3.30 or above. (Note: OE custom firmware will also play these videos.)


The following videos are featured after the break: Blue Dragon, Gene Simmons - Guitar Hero II Tournament, God of War II: Mythology, Guitar Hero II [360]

Rockstar's latest, Manhunt 2, is striking three platforms: PSP, PS2 and Wii. While a true next-gen version would provide a greater deal of visual flair, this new trailer shows that style still goes a long way in visual storytelling. This "experiment" trailer certainly has us quite intrigued--this could be the moodiest portable adventure yet.

For some PSP-formatted downloads, check out the game's newly updated official website.

Occasionally, game details slip out of Gamestop's website, like drool from a bulldog's mouth. This is such an occasion. Visiting Gamestop's Manhunt 2 page reveals story details on the mysterious Manhunt 2. What do PSP gamer's have to look forward to in this macabre title? Let's have the game description itself tell us.

"An experiment at a secret research facility has gone catastrophically wrong. Daniel Lamb and Leo Kasper are the only surviving subjects. The Pickman Project will stop at nothing to hunt them down and stop the truth from getting out.

Demented screams echo around the dank asylum that has caged you for the last six years. You open your eyes. A white-coated body slumps to the floor through your shaking hands. A bloody syringe slips from your arm. Waves of confusion and paranoia crash over you. You have no idea who you are or how you got here.

The door to your cell is open. One choice. One chance. They took your life. Time to take it back."

Pickman Project? I wonder if Miyamoto is behind this.

[Via Kotaku]

The first Manhunt received some mixed reactions and with good reason, it was vile and disgusting and showcased the worst about humanity, making the gamer feel dirty just playing it. That's precisely why I enjoyed Manhunt since that was the aim and I can't say I've ever felt the way Manhunt made me feel before or since. Lucky for me Manhunt 2 is coming to PSP.

Some may wonder if Rockstar is going to tone the violence down in the sequel since they've gotten so much negative attention and legal issues lately. I think the fact that the main character can rip off a victim's testicles with pliers should answer that question. In addition to that, players can also stab someone in the eye with a syringe, push someones face into a live fuse or if you're time restrained, shoot them.

There are also finally some story details. Manhunt 2 has a new main character, Dr. Daniel Lamb who is a scientist locked in an asylum called The Project. They use the asylum to test a top secret drug that Lamb was working on and was to be used as a weapon. Lamb breaks out of the asylum and goes on the run with a psychotic inmate named Leo Kasper. Mr. Kasper teaches Lamb how to use violence to his advantage.

Other than the name Lamb sounding brutally cliche, Manhunt 2 sounds promising to fans of the first game.

[Via Games Radar]