games™ Forum

http://itn.co.uk/news/e5ccdd8e986b414aa ... b0504.html

Moves to allow a "dark and violent" adult video computer game to go on sale in the UK have been blocked.

The British Board of Film Censors (BBFC) refused to give Manhunt 2 a classification in case it fell into the hands of children.

But the Video Appeals Committee (VAC) lifted the ban last month when it allowed an appeal by US publishers, Rockstar Games Inc.

In a 4-3 majority decision, VAC ruled that the videogame was "unlikely" to cause harm to adults or children and awarded it an 18 certificate.

But a High Court judge in London has now ruled that VAC's decision was fatally flawed by "a clear error of law" when it came to the test for assessing the question of harm.

Mr Justice Mitting said the committee must reconsider its decision in the light of his judgment.

During the hearing, BBFC expressed concern that the VAC decision could have serious implications for its watchdog role "not only in relation to video games, but generally".

Superbeasto wrote:Nah, they just don't want to be shown to be wrong so they'll nitpick for anything they can find in the report which'll swing things in favour of their own decision so they don't look like the morons they currently do.

Spot on. Its simply a case of sour grapes on the part of the BBFC as far as I can see. They've come off looking like total hypocrites, (the fact that a spokesperson for the BBFC was quoted to of said that the "BBFC are not in a position to tell adults what films they can watch" but obviously feel that its perfectly OK to tell adults what video games they can play, being just one example), who are unfit to judge whats suitable and whats not and are now, as you say, nit-picking just tp prove a point that they're still in control, when they're clearly not.

Yeah, it's ridiculous, and this protect adults from harm bullshit just sounds more and more ridiculous as time goes on. Still, a precedent is set - essentially the BBFC has put it's foot down and said games must be judged as if a child is going to playing it, regardless of age. So that's nice.

I'm fuming after reading this even though i now have the u.s. version of the psp version and think its a decent game that i personally find compelling. I'm 29 for fucks sake and even if i was 18 it wouldn't matter as technically i'm an adult in the eyes of the law. All this is complete bullshit, there is at the time of writing no evidence to back up that games do harm to anyone.

There are many other games that get played by people younger the the age rating given. How many gamers have snuck around in splinter cell chaos theory knifing the enemy in the dark? How many gamers play fps all around the world aiming for headshots that technically shouldn't be playing the game? and what harm has this done. I know I'd rather have my kids indoors playing most games than out on the street causing trouble and hurting others and pontentially getting trapped into vicious and negative cycles of behaiour.

They also seemed concerned that this game may fall into the hands of children but that to me should not be a problem for them. It's down the the shops to not sell ANY ADULT PRODUCTS to minors, for some publications to advertise and promote the game responsibily. (for example no reviews or ads in magazines that are aimed at the youger gaming market) and its for parents to take responsibilty for what their children play including monitering their behaviour and reactions to games (and even some books and films)

Gaming has grown so much and should allow for games made by adults for adults, just like there are many a genre of movies and books.
Unfortantly i can only see things getting worse as gaming is becoming the scapegoat for alot of things going on at the moment bcause its so much easier to avoid taking responsibilty for problems that are complicated and deeply rooted in our society.

At the moment it is ignorance that is prevailing instead of informed, balanced and accurate journalism. I feel that someone with a voice bigger than ours needs to stand up and explain/defend gaming to the ill informed ignorant and narrow minded individuals out there.

Long post i know but need to vent on this one

http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/848/848532p1.html

At Brash Entertainment's recent press event, IGN received word that a game based on the Saw movie franchise is in development.

Scheduled for a release in October of 2009, the game will weave in and out of the Saw movie plotlines and will be an intricate collaboration between the development studio and the filmmakers. While this is really all the information we have on the title at the moment, we should note that the game will be running on the Unreal III engine and will likely be released on PS3 and 360.

Hmm... Wonder how this one will be rated then?

http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?optio ... 6&Itemid=2

[quote]In a winter newsletter, Patricia Vance, president of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), said that the amount of Mature-rated titles is declining each year despite the fact that more and more games are being released.

“The ESRB also had the biggest year ever in 2007, having assigned 1,563 ratings, a 22% increase over the prior year.

“While a handful of M-rated titles tend to garner a majority of media attention, the E (Everyone 6+) rating category continues to dominate. The E category saw the largest increase over last year, accounting for nearly 60% of ratings assigned overall.

“The M (Mature 17+) category represented 6% of the overall ratings assigned, down from 8% in 2006 and 12% in 2005.

“The E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) and T (Teen 13+) categories accounted for 15% and 20% respectively.â€

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7296278.stm

The ban on controversial video game Manhunt 2 in the UK has been lifted and the game will now go on sale.

The Video Appeals Committee agreed to give the game a certificate following a nine-month battle between developers Rockstar and UK censors.

The British Board of Film Classification had taken the fight to ban the game to the High Court saying the game "went too far".

An edited version of the game will be released with an 18 certificate.

The game was first banned in June 2007 and an edited version of the game was later rejected by the BBFC.

David Cooke, director of the BBFC said: "As I have said previously, we never take rejection decisions lightly, and they always involve a complex balance of considerations.

"We twice rejected Manhunt 2, and then pursued a judicial review challenge, because we considered, after exceptionally thorough examination, that it posed a real potential harm risk.

"However, the Video Appeals Committee has again exercised its independent scrutiny. It is now clear, in the light of this decision, and our legal advice, that we have no alternative but to issue an 18 certificate to the game."

Developers Rockstar have always maintained that the content of Manhunt 2 is no different from other 18-rated entertainment products, such as the film series Saw.

So is this the edited version that came out in the US or a different one?

I'll probably wait til the price goes down to buy it.

It'll be the edited version, but it's not hugely edited- there's a cut-scene where some guy has something nasty happen to his privates which has gone, and the execution mini cut-scenes have a psychadelic effect over them, but it's still pretty clear what's going on. It's not that great a game though, nowhere as good as the first one, the first four levels aren't bad but then it goes downhill.

Still, hopefully this'll be the end of all the nonsense surrounding the game. I do wish it was the violent and nasty game that the BBFC seem to think it is, that would've been great.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=34208

Following the earlier news that Video Appeals Committee had reaffirmed its decision regarding the release of Manhunt 2, and the BBFC's admission that further action on its part was likely to yield realistic results, Rockstar is now working towards a new release date for the title in the UK.

"We are pleased that the VAC has reaffirmed its decision recognizing that Manhunt 2 is well within the bounds established by other 18-plus rated entertainment," a company statement read.

"Rockstar Games is committed to making great interactive entertainment, while also marketing our products responsibly and supporting an effective rating system."

The version of the game to be released in the UK has been confirmed as the same one currently available in the US under a Mature rating - the version which was rejected by the BBFC the second time around.

A Rockstar spokesperson told GamesIndustry.biz that due to the news of the VAC's decision only breaking earlier today, no official decision had yet been made on a release date, but discussions were expected to take place shortly.

UK stores have not taken delivery of stock in anticipation of any decision, so the title will not hit the shelves immediately.

If anyone in Glasgow can't be arsed waiting, there's a certain game store that sometime appears on a certain TV show that's selling the PSP copy. Along with God of War and Harvey Birdman. (Not in some sort of deranged random game bundle though...)

Personally I think not allowing us to buy Manhunt 2 is an impeachment of some human right or other.

adama14 wrote:Personally I think not allowing us to buy Manhunt 2 is an impeachment of some human right or other.

Aren't you too young to buy it anyway?

Someone else will buy it for him

FINALLY COMMON SENSE PREVAILS

Manhunt 2 is far from being a video game classic buy I'm really enjoying the u.s. one i imported.

I will now have little problems in selling it if i choose to, plus I'm tempted to try out the wii version too.

But this is really about the principle. If you are 18 you are legally classed as an adult and can make informed decisions based on the facts and not enginered bullshit.

THIS IS ONE IN THE EYE FOR THE IGNORANT MISINFORMED MORAL MAJORITY WHO WANT US TO LIVE BY THEIR RULES AND STANDARDS