Well for the moment it looks like the UK banning of Manhunt 2 will stick. If you'll remember back, the ban was overruled by the Video Appeals Committee, but this week the High Court’s Mr Justice Mitting stated that the VAC had made an error of law regarding the meaning of the word ‘harm’. So the saga continues, the celebrations of the VAC win look to be over, and Rockstar don't seem to happy with this turn of events:

“We believe the Video Appeals Committee decision was correct and do not understand the court's decision to expend further public resources to censor a game that contains content well within the bounds established by the British Board of Film Classification's18-plus ratings certification.”

What do we think? We think it's about time the UK listen to the people and look at what is common in the 20th century. One of them is digital entertainment, the other is the freedom to watch and play what you feel is right for you and your family...

A few weeks ago, we reported that the gaming website, MyWii.com.au, told us that the date for Manhunt 2 being released was 31^st of December 2007, now 8 days later; the game hasn’t hit our shores. Sadly, we already knew they were wrong in the first place. Before Christmas one of our staff members, Dazza, contacted the OFLC (Australian Classification Board) asking the question of why Manhunt 2 had not been released, let allow rated in Australia even after two months of the US having the game. After the news of Grand Theft Auto IV’s rating broke out we felt this was an issue that should be followed up, we were hoping for at least a proper release date or some reason for why we had heard nothing about the game hitting Australian shores.

To our surprise, Dazza received a reply within only a few days. As it turns out the OFLC hasn't actually received the game for rating from Rockstar yet.

I can confirm that the computer game Manhunt 2 has not been submitted to the Board for classification.

So Manhunt 2 isn't effectively banned in Australia yet. The response also suggests that they are expecting the game to be submitted for classification:

It is not possible to speculate on what the Board will classify this game once it is submitted for classification.

This means that Rockstar haven’t given Australia the chance to embrace the art that might be Manhunt 2, why? The first Manhunt game was banned in Australia, however the UK is in the same vote, they also banned the first Manhunt so it can't be simply that they believe it will be banned straight out. One scenario  it that, let's say the BBFC (UK's Classification Board) refused to classify Manhunt 2 before it was shipped to Australia for classification by the OFLC. Then it may have been seen by Rockstar that Australia would follow the BBFC and also refuse it's classification in the Australian Region, thus halted shipping and classification until the BBFC situation was dealt with.

They suggested lastly that we contact Rockstar directly for a likely release date on the game. We're still waiting on a reply from Rockstar at the moment...

You can see copies of the response from the OFLC here: Image | Document | PDF

Thank you to Dazza for finding this.

Sorry for getting your hopes up, but it is not true. Yesterday I was on the Wii site MyWii and I saw a Manhunt 2 area, wanting to see what others thought on the game, I clicked on it. It lead me to a page with pictures and screenshots and information. But I saw something very odd.

Australian Release Date: 31 Dec 2007

But I thought it was weird that Rockstar haven't told us the date, nor have the OLFC even rated the game yet, does this mean it's coming? Sorry, no. As a rule of thumb, never trust a website that can't even get the games title correct (it's Manhunt not ManHunt).

Link: MyWii Game - ManHunt 2

Well, it was to be expected wasn't it? The BBFC just don't seem to know when enough is enough, is it the incompetence of the BBFC or simple hatred against the Manhunt series/Rockstar? Who knows, the one thing we do know though is that they don't want the game released, and they are willing to try anything to stop the release. Perhaps if the rating system in the UK was updated to accommodate for the norm of games today they would see Manhunt 2 is fit for release.

What do I mean? Well it's been shown before that the BBFC rating's system for games is flawed, and lets face it, gaming has changed since the Nintendo 64, or hell even the Dreamcast. Violence is the norm, it's normal. The gaming demography that grew up with the first generation gaming consoles are now in there 20's to 40's and want to play more intense thrillers, shooters and horrors. The same taste most having in movies, books and television.

Take-Two's Chairman, Strauss Zelnick, released a statement only 2 days ago showing his obvious disappointment in the BBFC's decision to take the Manhunt 2 case further.

"We are disappointed that the BBFC has decided to appeal its own Video Appeals Committee's judgment in favor of an 18-plus certificate for Manhunt 2. We believe the VAC decision was correct and do not understand the BBFC's decision to expend further public resources to censor a game that contains content well within the bounds established by the BBFC's 18-plus ratings certification."

Don't hold your breath for a release anytime soon UK residents, seems the BBFC are trying to "protect you" at all costs.

Today the BBFC announced that it would be taking the VAC’s decision to have Manhunt 2 classified in the UK to the High Court. The BBFC are hoping to keep the game from reaching stores across the country so don’t be expecting the game in the UK for some time yet. Heres what the BBFC had to say:

“The BBFC is contesting the VAC judgement because in the Board’s view, it is based on an approach to harm which is an incorrect interpretation of the Video Recordings Act. The VAC judgement, if allowed to stand, would have fundamental implications with regard to all the Board’s decisions, including those turning upon questions of unacceptable levels of violence.”

It's a shame that Manhunt 2 is facing all these difficulties...

Holiday season is nearly here, what else would you rather do then go and see some of the latest box office hits at your local cinema? Well Rockstar Games and Cinematic Happenings Under Development (CHUD.com) are teaming up to give ten lucky people ten peices of movie cash, one-hundred dollar ($100) in total which they are free to spend at there local theater, entirely FREE! Here's how to enter:

How do you win?  Just send an e-mail to jeremygbutler@gmail.com with MANHUNT CONTEST in the subject line and include the following:

1 - YOUR FULL NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS.

2 - Our MCP Coverage has been kicking ten kinds of ass lately.  Put a link to your favorite article or review and give me a quick little reason behind why you liked it so much.

We're gonna take the entries until the end of the month and then pick ten winners at random.  So good luck!

Check it out at CHUD.com.

Following this weeks news that the Video Appeals Committee (VAC) had the BBFC reconsider Manhunt 2, the BBFC warned just yesterday that it may take legal action against the game, thus Rockstar, to prevent it's sale in the UK.

"We need to see the judgment papers from the VAC case before we even consider giving Manhunt 2 a rating," said BBFC spokesperson, Sue Clark.

"If we spot anything problematic, we may decide to take our case to the High Court as a judicial review, which would lead to Manhunt 2’s release being frozen in the UK.

"Our main concern is to ensure a lawful outcome. It needs to be the right decision within the UK’s legal framework – which will be the right decision in the public interest."

It appears the BBFC arn't going to let this down without a fight, and I foresee a huge of a fight ahead of them. It is in there rights to go to the High Court, however you have to ask when is enough, enough? It's obvious they are the only organisation who have a problem with Manhunt 2. The VAC proved that, and the problem I have with all this is the money Rockstar Games would be spending to try and get this terrific game released in the UK while the BBFC is making it more expensive by the day. Looks like the UK will be waiting a bit longer then first thought.

Thanks to GameZine UK for the heads up.

With the UK possibly seeing Manhunt 2 very soon now, it brings up the question of Australia. Australia follows the UK in most decisions, such as the banning of Manhunt one for example. They have, so far, failed to rate or even acknowledge Manhunt 2. The hope is that with the news today of Manhunt 2 being passed for release UK (that is if the BBFC don't decide to try and re-re-re-ban it) that Australia will follow key and release the game, or at least give us a rating to work with.

I have attempted to contact the OFLC (Office of Film and Literature Classification - Australia's rating board) but have so far been unable to get a response. I will continue trying, however the chances of a response seem unlikely at the moment. Also, so far all imports of the game have been stopped at customs or stopped by the retailer themselves. This would lead me to believe they are aware of it's existence, but are taking the lazy track of not rating it, most likely to ensure the community don't bring up the question of "Why don't we have an Adults rating for video games?" again...

GI.biz is now reporting that Rockstar have finally won their long battle with the BBFC over the controversial Manhunt 2. The Video Appeals Committee decided by four votes to three in favour of Rockstar to allow the game. The ball is now in the BBFC’s court on what they can do, either allow the game to be published or take it to the High Court. The BBFC had this to say:

We won't make a decision until we've seen the full printed judgment, which we're expecting this week

After the much expected controversy, bannings and wii-makes-it-all-worse-ness Manhunt 2 may finally be making its' way to UK stores following the Video Appeals Committee’s decision to vote against the BBFC.

Strauss Zelnick was naturally full of praise for the VAC:

We are committed to making great interactive entertainment, while also marketing our products responsibly and supporting an effective rating system. We are pleased that the decision of the VAC has recognized that Manhunt 2 is well within the bounds established by other 18+ rated entertainment.

Meanwhile the BBFC are left to ponder their response and no doubt attempt to re-ban the game. Good luck! For those hoping to have a black Christmas, don't hold your breath. We're expecting it sometime early next year.