The inevitable has happened. Manhunt 2, Rockstar's latest controversial incarnation of the 2003 classic, has been leaked onto a series of connecting wires (the internet). All this comes just two and a half months after the British Film Classification Board banned the game in the UK, and it doesn't bode well for Rockstar.
The supposed 'leak' is so far looking pretty authentic. It is described as an early BETA PS2 version, meaning the big R may have a snake in their ranks.
NFO(release notes):
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Manhunt 2 (Banned Uncut)
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General Information
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Type.................: Game
Platform.............: PS2
Number of Parts......: 57 Including PARS
Image Format.........: Other (specify)
Image Created with...: CloneCD
Burn Tested..........: Yes-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Post Information
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Posted by............: Team Slonik
Posted to............: <snip>
Parts per Day........: Dont Ask
Fills Policy.........: Other (specify)
Repost Policy........: Other (specify)-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Release Notes
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Greetz to the scene. Here we have the kick ass game (Manhunt 2 Banned Uncut
Version) from Team Slonik.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Install Notes
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Extract and Burn with CloneCDNote: We believe this to be a BETA version, so no crying if it <snip> up on you.
As fans of Rockstar and in particular Manhunt we at RockstarWatch urge you to avoid such 'leaks'. They are illegal and downloading them shows a lack of respect for the time, effort and money spent by Take Two and Rockstar to have this project ready for the public, for its fans. Rockstar strive to provide an entertainment experience unlike any other, and that's not something you are going to get from a (possibly) buggy, unfinished BETA version.
Footage of the leaked introduction sequence has been posted on GameTrailers: Here. If you don't want to ruin the game before you get it, we would advise ignoring all posted spoilers and video of the game on the internet.
Just in, literally minutes ago, Rockstar has requested the videos of numerous cutscenes and game intorduction of Manhunt 2, which BETA was leaked yesterday, be removed from YouTube. Now when you follow a link to the leaked material you get the message "This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Rockstar Games". So we now know that these videos were of the real game, and this obviously wasn't a stunt by Rockstar as some game sites would have you believe. I've contacted Rockstar on some other websites containing similar media and data which should definitely be removed.
While the US is getting a remake of Manhunt 2 and seeing that it is still banned in the UK it seems that one country will be getting the orignal... the Netherlands! In a letter to parliment, Justice minster Ernst Hirsch Ballin said:
"The current law is based on principle that every adult is considered capable of decieding for himself which games he wants to play, unless it contains illegal material"
The Netherlands is in the PAL region so if any of you guys feel of importing it, give it a shot. Hopefully we can get an article up discussing the differences in the two versions and if it really was worth a ban.
It was inevitable, but after two months of tweaking and possibly watering down, Manhunt 2 has recieved a Mature rating from the ESRB. It is not yet known precisely what Rockstar have done to the game in order to recieve the "M" rating, however the decision comes after a 'modified' version of the game was re-submitted to the ESRB. With a little bit of luck, the British Board of Film Classification will wise-up and follow suit. Rockstar are expected to attend a hearing regarding the BBFC's decision to ban the game in the UK in the next couple of months, so stick with us for news on that.
"This announcement follows the submission of a modified version of Manhunt 2 to the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), who has now rated the title "M" for Mature for ages 17 and older.
In June, Take-Two was compelled to suspend the release of the horror title when the ESRB issued an AO (Adults Only) rating.
"Manhunt 2 is important to us, and we're glad it can finally be appreciated as a gaming experience," said Sam Houser, founder and executive producer of Rockstar Games. "We love the horror genre. Manhunt 2 is a powerful piece of interactive story telling that is a unique video game experience. We think horror fans will love it."
"Manhunt 2 is an extraordinary game, and we eagerly anticipate its release in North America," added Strauss Zelnick, Chairman of Take-Two.Manhunt 2 is the debut title from the newly formed Rockstar London studio, which is developing the game in conjunction with series creator Rockstar North. Early previews of Manhunt 2 have consistently praised the game's original design and creative use of narrative, tone, and atmosphere to evoke an experience many consider unmatched in video games. The Wii version is being developed by Rockstar Toronto."
It also looks like Rockstar are going to be eager to show off some 'Responsible Marketing' in light of this fiasco:
"Video games rated Mature are for consumers ages 17 and older and are not intended for children. Along with the Mature rating, the ESRB also assigned the following content descriptors to Manhunt 2: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content and Use of Drugs."
Source: Take 2 Interactive
UK Trades paper MCV said in an article today that "the publisher in danger of releasing the game long after after the intial wave of hype is over", Manhunt 2 is sadly already behind the eight ball, as it has been developed for the PlayStation 2 and PSP, which are both several years old now, plus with the PlayStation 3 already out and PSP [2] coming out in the coming months they are at risk of not receiving the consumer support they are receiving at the moment. Once the hype dies down, so does the buying market. The Nintendo Wii on the other hand is proving to be very popular, so thats on market covered no matter what. A PlayStation 3 launch would be of great help, but the game may not be compatible or currently read for such a release.
“Rockstar has taken a while to build its case, so they’ve obviously been taking stock of what the BBFC have said. They will have to work together to agree on making the right cuts. But there could be problems if the BBFC feels that the violence running throughout the game is too much – it’s not like a film where you can just cut certain scenes.”
Guess we will have to wait and see how it all pan's out as to what precautions Rockstar take to keeping the hype about the game up. There’s no doubt about it, Rockstar are great at keeping game hype up, so fingers crossed there won't be a problem.
Earlier this week some execution sound effects from Manhunt 2 hit the internet, one of our staff members have uploaded them to YouTube and the sounds can be heard in the flash video below; a warning that they are quiet graphic and we only recommend it for people over the age of 15, the video contains no violence or gore, just the sounds and the Manhunt 2 logo in the background.
We cannot speculate on the sounds, as nobody really knows if they are real or not. Due to the game not being past Rockstar's, rating station's and reviewers eye's yet, it would be believed they are not real. However in a recent review by UK magazine GameMasters they had this too say:
GM Loves GM Hates + The clever pacing and ghost-train shocks
+ The sound design and bad guy dialogue- The 'splash!' noises when you... actually, let's not go there
- Getting spotted. Terrifying
- The sometimes brutal checkpoint placing
What interests me the most is the bolded text..."The 'splash!' noises when you... actually, let's not go there". They are of course talking about killing the bad guys, and relate that to the video above, the sounds are rather "splashy!" aren't they? I'm still not 100 per cent sure, but it is an interesting discovering never the less. Most say it's just Manhunt 1, and since the music at the start of the video is from Manhunt 1 it could be the case. What do you think?
Take-Two Chairman, Strauss Zelnick, was interviewed by MercuryNews recently discussing Take-Two and Rockstar Games. Brought up was Grand Theft Auto IV and Manhunt 2, no new information on the games though, however a discussion of the Manhunt 2 ban and their stance on the ban, the game and the rating system. A very interesting read, check it out at MercuryNews.com.
Rockstar has just confirmed that they will appeal in an attempt to overturn the BBFC's decision to ban Manhunt 2 in the United Kingdom. A date is still yet to be decided for the case to be heard, but hopefully, Rockstar will be successful and we may finally be able to play the most controversial game ever!
“Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. confirmed today that Rockstar Games has appealed the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) decision that prohibited the release of any version of Manhunt 2 in Britain.”
Finally, some uplifting news regarding Manhunt 2 :). Good luck Rockstar!
