Today, Rockstar released 3 new videos of the hunters in Manhunt 2 via IGN. Keep watching the front page for more information on the three new hunters.
The Pervs
The Project
The Asylum
It seems the edited version shown to the ESRB isn't good enough for the BBFC. Today, the BBFC announced that it has deemed the edited version of Manhunt 2 not censored enough. Rockstar commented to IGN that the ban on the edited version is unacceptable and they also said that they are continuing to appeal the latest ban. Let's just hope that Manhunt 2 doesn't have to end up on people's import list.
"The changes necessary in order to publish the game in Britain are unacceptable to us and represent a setback for video games. The BBFC allows adults the freedom to decide for themselves when it comes to horror in movies and we think adults should be similarly allowed to decide for themselves when it comes to horror in video games, such as Manhunt 2."
We couldn't agree more. Also, in movie rating news. The movie Hatchet, considered by some people to be one the best horror films to date, has been given an 18 rating by the BBFC with out having to make any cuts.
IGN - Rockstar Responds to Latest BBFC Ban
BBFC - Manhunt 2 Rejected Page 1
BBFC - Manhunt 2 Rejected Page 2
In the past, Rockstar has ran sweepstakes for just about all of it's games. Manhunt 2 is no different. Today, Rockstar announced that they have teamed up with the Radio Rebellion Tour to present a Manhunt 2 sweepstakes. The winner will get a Manhunt 2 branded Wii package (pictured above), a copy of Manhunt 2 for the Wii, and a 50 inch plasma TV. If you want in the sweepstakes, you must be over 18, live in North America, and you also must register by November 28, 2007. Good luck!
Manhunt 2 is cleared for release in America, bit will the UK get with the program and look at the edited version of the game? Apparently not, GamesIndustry.biz reports that the UK Government late last week rejected the opinions of over 3000 UK residents who signed an online petition that we brang to your attention back several months ago which called for the ban to be lifted. They said in an official statement:
The Government is satisfied with the BBFC’s procedure and with the provisions for appeal, and will not be intervening in this process.
However it was stated further through the statement that Take-Two and Rockstar Games are pursuing, so lets hope that the UK get to be allowed to make their own decisions with regard to what video games they want to play. If you followed the news around the first Manhunt's ban in the UK and Australia you will remember that it was due to a murder in which the killer was said to have trailer on Manhunt to do so. However later on it was realized that the victim was in fact the owner of the game, not the murder. No link was ever found between the game and the murder, as their was no proof that the murder had ever played the game (being the victim owned it, and he didn't). The ban, as we know, has never been lifted.
Chances are this is affecting the release of Manhunt 2, and I bet it will also cause problems for Australian residents also as Australia follows the UK in many of their banning's. It should be an eventful month leading up to the release, and no doubt interesting as to what becomes of Manhunt 2 in the UK and Australia.
Rockstar Games today updated the Official Manhunt 2 website with a new special web-only prologue of the Daniel Lamb Dixmor Studies therapy session. The new one ties in with the Dixmor Studies therapy session of Leo Kasper which was released several months earlier. Check it out here.
September 20, 2007
Official Site Update – The Daniel Lamb Session
Today, we lift the shroud on harrowing new audio and video from the Daniel Lamb Dixmor Studies therapy session.
Click here to experience an exclusive web-only prologue to the events of Manhunt 2 - which includes key backstory revelations – and features voiceacting by the original talent behind the in-game characters of Daniel Lamb and Dr. Laura Whyte.
Visit the Purchase section for online pre-order options and make sure to sign up for the Rockstar mailing list for notification of all future site updates, including an all-new trailer, coming soon.
In similar news Rockstar also updated the Manhunt 2 news page with quotes from the large game websites that have recently posted reviews on Manhunt 2:
September 20, 2007
Latest Online Previews
Recently, some of the net’s biggest gaming sites got to take a hands-on look at Manhunt 2. Here’s what they had to say:
“Manhunt 2 looks to be a deeply, horrifyingly, unsettling experience, and we mean that as the highest possible compliment. The deeper you delve into the dystopic plot, involving twisted science, questionable advice and six years worth lost memories set in an atmosphere so black it seems to almost bend time itself, you could very well begin to question your own morality.” – GamesRadar
“The original game was a twisted tale filled with violent action, as well as stealthy gameplay, and the follow-up looks to deliver more of the same grisly goods.” – Gamespot
“This blood-soaked effort is still one of the grossest and most disturbing titles we've ever seen. It's also fun, thanks to usually-tight control and an abundance of dark atmosphere. We're going to join the hunt this Halloween…” – IGN
“Manhunt 2 still looks to be one of the most violent games on the market…it's still creepy, still makes decent use of the Wii motion controls, and still is one of the few games on the market willing to take things this far.” – 1up
I read with concern today a review of the apparent leaked Manhunt 2 BETA which I was sent to via an e-mail link. It doesn't interest me for the actual review of the game - in fact most of the information we have heard before, it's just a clarification of it - but rather that the author states he picked the game up from a gaming store near where he lives:
I was pleasantly surprised in finding copies Manhunt 2 for the PS2 in the local gaming stores. Upon closer inspection, the version available now is of the PAL variety, meaning its the European version. In anticipation that this is the said leaked Unrated version, I grabbed a copy. Here is my take on the game, without any story spoilers.
My main concern here is that Rockstar have already made it clear this game was not intentionally leaked, and sharing or downloading it is obviously illegal. If Rockstar are yet to distribute the game, and there is a leaked BETA of it floating around the internet one could be lead to believe that these stores have downloaded the game, taken the necessary steps into placing it onto DVD's, making them some way playable on the PlayStation 2 without a mod chip and charging for the game which is not legal for them to do so as they themselves have not purchased the game for re-distribution. Now the article does not mention if he had to purchase the game or even if it played on a unmodified PlayStation 2, however this is to be expected - they are a game store after all they wouldn't be giving away something they could make some money off for free.
I'm going to attempt to get some more information from the source of the article on what exactly happened, until then keep your eyes out in case any gaming stores in your vicinity are trying to sell these illegal versions also, if so be sure let us know about it.
The article on this can be found here.
The question on everyone's lips this week is "What did Rockstar change to move Manhunt 2 from AO to M?". Well in the latest review by IGN they reveal all, the game hasn't change majorly at all in fact:
In the M-rated version, Rockstar has added both an extreme blur effect and in most cases darkened the graphics so that it is nearly impossible to make any sense of what is going on.
GameRadar has you cover from their on:
With the exception of the removal of the infamous testicle/vertebrae displacement, we're told all of these executions will be intact come late October... albeit somewhat altered. Now, upon entering the execution scenes, there's a newly added visual layer of weirdness. Everything goes all Christmasy, as if through a dark red and green filter, with pulsating motion blurs of blinding white. You still get an idea of the mayhem occurring on screen, but it's far less obvious and over the top as before. At best, the ambiguity enhances the disturbingly macabre motif. At worst, it makes watching the exhilaratingly barbaric execution scenes a little like trying catch a glimpse of a scrambled, late-night tit on a HBO.
So as you can see, apart from the obvious remove all the testicle removal scene and the new 'visual layer' to prevent direct viewing of executions the game hasn't been changed dramaticaly. However word is from GameSpot that Toronto has added to the dialog between Leo and Danny, whether this is just for the Wii version or not is unknown as of yet (as Toronto is working on the Wii version only):
This time around, the developers at Rockstar Toronto have added more dialogue between Danny and Leo, but the core mechanics are still the same.
More information as it becomes avaliable on the modification of the game. But so far, it looks as though the game will be just as good, if not better then before.
An astonishing new survey carried out by EEDAR shows that M-rated games get higher review scores than many other games. This surprises many people but can it also mean that people are now becoming smarter and recognising the game industry for what it really has to offer? Maybe not but we like to think so.
So this begs the question, will Manhunt 2 be successful according to this survey? We assure you that it will!
CVG has posted quite an interesting article on whether or not Manhunt 2 is damaging the gaming industry. Elite creator David Braben told CVG that violent games like Manhunt are destroying the reputation of the industry as a whole long-term.
“There have been a few games that have strange ratings like Gears of War (18). That does not make sense to me. Why is it not a 15? Okay, there are some slightly gruesome bodies hanging up in the first section of the game, but this is no more than you’d expect in a 15 film like Alien Vs Predator or The Terminator films.”
“This means that when a more genuine 18 comes along, parents assume it is no worse than Gears of War, and is perhaps why Manhunt 2 was banned, as they felt they could not give it the same rating as Gears.”
“While Manhunt 2 might have brought short term gain to Rockstar, it damages the reputation of the industry as a whole, long term. We do need a strong, consistent rating system, where 18 really means 18, and is enforced, and then it may be more acceptable to make such games, or to bring in an additional rating (as in the US) of Adults Only - which are only sold in very restricted places”
Quite a few valid points there. Read the full interview here.
IGN announced in a PodCast last week that they would hopefully be reviewing Manhunt 2 this week again to compare differences from their play of the now uncut Manhunt 2 to the new modified Manhunt 2 rated 'M'. Sadly they were unable to review the game as Rockstar was unable to put anything together for them in only a week. Which is believable, Rockstar have many things going on at the moment, events to attend and games to release. IGN say they should be able to review the game in 3-4 days, which isn't long.
Thanks to ProjectManhunt for the information.
