OT: Video game gets banned - The Orange Mane

alkemical · 06-20-2007, 09:54 AM

Video game gets banned

LONDON, England (Reuters) -- British censors Tuesday banned a video game for the first time in 10 years, rejecting U.S.-published "Manhunt 2" for what they described as an unrelenting focus on sadism and brutal slaying.

The decision by the British Board of Film Classification, or BBFC, means the game, from publisher Take-Two Interactive Software, which made the controversial "Grand Theft Auto" series, cannot be legally supplied anywhere in Britain.

The ban prompted one U.S. family group to start lobbying for a rating to ensure major American retailers cannot sell the game. In it, players become an insane asylum escapee sneaking up on enemies and killing them in gruesome ways.

In a statement on the board's Web site, BBFC director David Cooke said rejecting a work was a very serious action and not taken lightly. He said the board preferred to consider cuts or changes but that was not possible in this case.

"'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," he said.

"There is sustained and cumulative casual sadism in the way in which these killings are committed, and encouraged, in the game," Cooke said.

Take-Two could not immediately be reached for comment.

The BBFC noted it was the first game to be denied a classification since 1997, when "Carmageddon" was rejected for having players run down pedestrians. That decision was overturned on appeal.

The BBFC said the Take-Two label Rockstar Games that created "Manhunt" had the right to appeal the decision.

"Manhunt 2" is a follow-up to the 2003 original, which was classified in Britain for people aged 18 and over.

The original game created a storm in Britain in 2004 when the parents of a 14-year-old boy who was stabbed to death blamed the game for inspiring his 17-year-old killer.

The U.S. nongovernmental organization that evaluates games, the Entertainment Software Rating Board, has not yet given a rating for "Manhunt 2," which is slated for a July 10 release.

The Boston-based Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood urged people to write the ESRB and demand an "Adults Only" rating, which means it could not be sold by major retailers.

"An "Adults Only" rating is the only way to limit children's exposure to this unique combination of horrific violence and interactivity," group co-founder Susan Linn said in a statement.

Copyright 2007 Reuters. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

vancejohnson82 · 06-20-2007, 10:13 AM

I'll admit Manhunt is a pretty sadistic game

You basically sneak up on peopel and murder them....

alkemical · 06-20-2007, 10:33 AM

I bought it in a bargin bin, and couldn't play more than 15-20min.

RhymesayersDU · 06-20-2007, 10:58 AM

This is becoming a big deal here in the states too. The AO rating is huge. Nintendo, on their website, even says they refuse to license or produce AO games, so the Wii version could get the axe.

However, it's my opinion that they'll tone it down to an M before it's all said and done. More money to be made that way.

Garcia Bronco · 06-20-2007, 12:28 PM

Good old censorship...this should be left up to parents in country and the market should dictate what should be sold IMO.

SleepingTiger · 06-20-2007, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

Good old censorship...this should be left up to parents in country and the market should dictate what should be sold IMO.

Too bad some parents don't even know where there kids are much less know what game they are playing in their room.

I played manhunt.... that game is sadistic.The concept of the game is good and I was exited when it came out. I couldn't play it for more than 2 hours. This game should be for ADULTS ONLY.

Beantown Bronco · 06-20-2007, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SleepingTiger

This game should be for ADULTS ONLY.

You may want to just have them specify an age.....some would argue that, by definition, if you play video games then you are not really an adult to begin with.

GonzoLays · 06-20-2007, 01:06 PM

Is there a correlation between our rising violent crime index in this country and our insatiable appetite for "entertainment violence"? Are we viewing TOO much violence for our own good?

In most states, total violent crimes have quadrupled (adjusted for population growth) since the 60's. Why are we becoming more violent?

alkemical · 06-20-2007, 01:08 PM

Remember - videogames, movies, music - reflect the culture - not just 'define & influence' it.

SleepingTiger · 06-20-2007, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beantown Bronco

You may want to just have them specify an age.....some would argue that, by definition, if you play video games then you are not really an adult to begin with.

Some of the game these days aren't made for children anymore and are made more for adults and should be specified as such. I would not want any of my children playing manhunt or any of the GTA and would be very pissed off if a store would sell it to them.

GonzoLays · 06-20-2007, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claviculasolomonis

Remember - videogames, movies, music - reflect the culture - not just 'define & influence' it.

explain

Los Broncos · 06-20-2007, 01:39 PM

Another game that is crazy is, Condemned: Criminal origins. i love it.

BABronco · 06-20-2007, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GonzoLays

explain

because they sell. they are what we want. why else would there be so many gta games? Why would they sell so good? There are many "friendly" games but do they sell as well, I presume not.

Clockwork Orange · 06-20-2007, 01:40 PM

I can't wait to play Manhunt 2, I loved the original.

alkemical · 06-20-2007, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GonzoLays

explain

As a poster listed below/above (depending on how you look at it)....

If there wasn't a market, it wouldn't sell. We have a very violent appitite, we like it, we love it - it's our entertainment.

GonzoLays · 06-20-2007, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BABronco

they are what we want.

Are you trying to say that you want violence? Is that it? You want to see a man beat a woman to death with a baseball bat after having sex with them like in Grand Theft Auto?

GonzoLays · 06-20-2007, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claviculasolomonis

As a poster listed below/above (depending on how you look at it)....

If there wasn't a market, it wouldn't sell. We have a very violent appitite, we like it, we love it - it's our entertainment.

why do you love it?

Garcia Bronco · 06-20-2007, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GonzoLays

Is there a correlation between our rising violent crime index in this country and our insatiable appetite for "entertainment violence"? Are we viewing TOO much violence for our own good?

In most states, total violent crimes have quadrupled (adjusted for population growth) since the 60's. Why are we becoming more violent?

Because there are to many of us occuping the same space and we're hearing more about this stuff from more mass media. Some of this stuff has always been going on.

alkemical · 06-20-2007, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GonzoLays

why do you love it?

I don't. but enough people do, don't they?

GonzoLays · 06-20-2007, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

Because there are to many of us occuping the same space

Don't you live in a house by yourself? Don't you drive your car to work by yourself? Don't you have your own office? What do you mean by "occupying the same space?"

GonzoLays · 06-20-2007, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claviculasolomonis

I don't. but enough people do, don't they?

Do they really have a choice? Throughout TV history, some of the most wholesome (relatively speaking), non-violent TV shows have been the most watched programs in America. Cheers, Mash, and the Cosby Show to name a few. Are we "demanding" more violence or are we being forced fed it?

Garcia Bronco · 06-20-2007, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GonzoLays

Don't you live in a house by yourself? Don't you drive your car to work by yourself? Don't you have your own office? What do you mean by "occupying the same space?"

To many people in one place creates friction and entrophy.

GonzoLays · 06-20-2007, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

To many people in one place creates friction and entrophy.

If that's the case, India should be the most violent country in the world -- by far. But they are not...

alkemical · 06-20-2007, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GonzoLays

Do they really have a choice? Throughout TV history, some of the most wholesome (relatively speaking), non-violent TV shows have been the most watched programs in America. Cheers, Mash, and the Cosby Show to name a few. Are we "demanding" more violence or are we being forced fed it?

People have freedom of choice, and yet they choose violence. Why are shows like 24 a hit, nypd, law & order, news, etc? Why is violent music a big seller? You've defeated your own argument. People chose nice shows, and people choose violent shows. Violence sells. If people didn't want it, it wouldn't sell.

GonzoLays · 06-20-2007, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claviculasolomonis

People have freedom of choice, and yet they choose violence. Why are shows like 24 a hit, nypd, law & order, news, etc? Why is violent music a big seller? You've defeated your own argument. People chose nice shows, and people choose violent shows. Violence sells. If people didn't want it, it wouldn't sell.

What is my argument? I didn't know I had one.

06-20-2007, 09:54 AM	#1
alkemical Guerrilla Ontologist rorrim\|mirror Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Future Posts: 42,723 Adopt-a-Bronco: Prima Materia	OT: Video game gets banned Video game gets banned LONDON, England (Reuters) -- British censors Tuesday banned a video game for the first time in 10 years, rejecting U.S.-published "Manhunt 2" for what they described as an unrelenting focus on sadism and brutal slaying. The decision by the British Board of Film Classification, or BBFC, means the game, from publisher Take-Two Interactive Software, which made the controversial "Grand Theft Auto" series, cannot be legally supplied anywhere in Britain. The ban prompted one U.S. family group to start lobbying for a rating to ensure major American retailers cannot sell the game. In it, players become an insane asylum escapee sneaking up on enemies and killing them in gruesome ways. In a statement on the board's Web site, BBFC director David Cooke said rejecting a work was a very serious action and not taken lightly. He said the board preferred to consider cuts or changes but that was not possible in this case. "'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," he said. "There is sustained and cumulative casual sadism in the way in which these killings are committed, and encouraged, in the game," Cooke said. Take-Two could not immediately be reached for comment. The BBFC noted it was the first game to be denied a classification since 1997, when "Carmageddon" was rejected for having players run down pedestrians. That decision was overturned on appeal. The BBFC said the Take-Two label Rockstar Games that created "Manhunt" had the right to appeal the decision. "Manhunt 2" is a follow-up to the 2003 original, which was classified in Britain for people aged 18 and over. The original game created a storm in Britain in 2004 when the parents of a 14-year-old boy who was stabbed to death blamed the game for inspiring his 17-year-old killer. The U.S. nongovernmental organization that evaluates games, the Entertainment Software Rating Board, has not yet given a rating for "Manhunt 2," which is slated for a July 10 release. The Boston-based Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood urged people to write the ESRB and demand an "Adults Only" rating, which means it could not be sold by major retailers. "An "Adults Only" rating is the only way to limit children's exposure to this unique combination of horrific violence and interactivity," group co-founder Susan Linn said in a statement. Copyright 2007 Reuters. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

06-20-2007, 01:06 PM	#8
GonzoLays Five Tool Poster Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 5,650 Adopt-a-Bronco: #3 DJ	Is there a correlation between our rising violent crime index in this country and our insatiable appetite for "entertainment violence"? Are we viewing TOO much violence for our own good? In most states, total violent crimes have quadrupled (adjusted for population growth) since the 60's. Why are we becoming more violent? Last edited by GonzoLays; 06-20-2007 at 01:42 PM..

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06-20-2007, 10:13 AM	#2
vancejohnson82 Drama and Mediocrity I'm Afraid of Ty Law Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Newark, NJ Posts: 5,994 Adopt-a-Bronco: DJ	I'll admit Manhunt is a pretty sadistic game You basically sneak up on peopel and murder them....

06-20-2007, 10:33 AM	#3
alkemical Guerrilla Ontologist rorrim\|mirror Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Future Posts: 42,723 Adopt-a-Bronco: Prima Materia	I bought it in a bargin bin, and couldn't play more than 15-20min.

06-20-2007, 10:58 AM	#4
RhymesayersDU Go Broncos, Nuggets, Rox GANGNAM STYLE Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Back In The 303! Posts: 14,847 Adopt-a-Bronco: Ty Lawson	This is becoming a big deal here in the states too. The AO rating is huge. Nintendo, on their website, even says they refuse to license or produce AO games, so the Wii version could get the axe. However, it's my opinion that they'll tone it down to an M before it's all said and done. More money to be made that way.

06-20-2007, 12:28 PM	#5
Garcia Bronco Hokie since 1993 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 46,001 Adopt-a-Bronco: Tom Jackson	Good old censorship...this should be left up to parents in country and the market should dictate what should be sold IMO.

06-20-2007, 01:08 PM	#9
alkemical Guerrilla Ontologist rorrim\|mirror Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Future Posts: 42,723 Adopt-a-Bronco: Prima Materia	Remember - videogames, movies, music - reflect the culture - not just 'define & influence' it.

06-20-2007, 01:39 PM	#12
Los Broncos Flaw Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 18,803 Adopt-a-Bronco: Ryan Clady	Another game that is crazy is, Condemned: Criminal origins. i love it.

06-20-2007, 01:40 PM	#14
Clockwork Orange Persona Non Grata I seen him! Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 21,438	I can't wait to play Manhunt 2, I loved the original.