Rockstar can’t seem to get a break with Manhunt 2. After recieving a ‘AO’ rating from the ESRB the first time through and then console makers refusing to allow the game onto their system, Rockstar went back to the drawing board. They revised the game for re-rating by the ESRB and brought it down to a mature rating. But, Rockstar being Rockstar they left a way for players to hack the game and to get the uncensored version of the game. Now, ABCNews is reporting that Target is refusing to sell the game because of it’s excessive violence and the ability to hack the game for the uncensored material. Here is a quote from Target:
“While Manhunt 2 was given a ‘Mature’ rating by the ESRB, we received additional information that players can potentially view previously filtered content by altering the game code. As a result, we have decided not the carry the game.”
My question is why Target is so hell bent against this game, even though they sold Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and continue to sell games that would probably not be played by any friendly monks. Although Manhunt 2 is violent, I still think that it is getting a little too much attention for it’s violence and very harsh punishments for it. But, that’s just my two cents on the subject.
via[CNET]
Well, we all knew this was going to happen, but don’t you want to know that it officially happened? A Take-Two executive came out today and announced that Manhunt 2 is no longer scheduled for it’s July 10th release on the PS2 and Wii, and that the company needs time to review its options. Just in case you missed the story, the ESRB has given this game an AO rating and as a result, Sony and Nintendo have barred the release of it on their consoles. The game has also been officially banned in Britain, Ireland, and Austrailia.
With Take-Two’s statement on the delay of the game, they also were quoted in saying:
“We believe in freedom of creative expression, as well as responsible marketing, both of which are essential to our business of making great entertainment,”
This could mean that they may not change the game, but that is highly unlikely because it would result in millions of lost dollars. But come on, isn’t this just a game where you can realistically kill people with the help of the Wii remote?
Manhunt 2, which is being developed for the Nintendo Wii and Playstation 2, has gotten an official ESRB rating. People may not be ready for this, so the faint of heart should click the back-button on their browsers now. Alright……AO. For people that have been blown away by this fact and have forgotten what this means from the shock that they have just released, it means that it has been rated Adults Only. This means that it will not be sold in most local retail stores. This will have a huge affect on sales of the game, and R* will have a hard time making up sales for this game. Imo, R* is not going to let this go so easy and they are probably going to fight this decision.
Another bit of news that is sad for Rockstar is that the game has already been banned in the United Kingdom. This will also cut out on possible profits for R*. This is a decision that they will probably not be able to overturn, and both of these facts are a shame for the people at Take-Two and R*.
Hit us up on what you think of this ground-breaking decision!!!!
Poor publisher and developer.
Loading ...
