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!

On June 22nd regular contributor, Rob Fahey, of GamesIndustry.biz published an article entitled Sick Filth? which was rather one sided. The article discussed that Manhunt 2 should not be played by anybody, regardless of their age or personal right and/or opinion. It suggested that Rockstar should learn it's lesson. The article was similar to that of Victor Godinez's earlier this month, one sides and personal opinionated with no first-hand knowledge of what exactly Manhunt 2's gameplay or storyline is about. Rockstar's letter in reply to the article is included in full below.

Dear Mr. Fahey,

We are responding to the article Sick Filth?, in which you expressed support for the ban of Manhunt 2.

Although censorship makes you "deeply uncomfortable" and you found the ban's rationale "a less comfortable topic", you agreed with the judgment of the British Board of Film Classification that no one - regardless of age or personal opinion - should be allowed to consider playing Manhunt 2.

We are still exploring our options for Manhunt 2, but how does banning our game support the industry or further the development of the medium? Unlike a heavy-handed editor or a critical review of a game, a ban is punishment for deviating from tradition.

A ban denies everyone the chance to consider, experience, or discuss the actual game. The only obvious victor is the status quo.

You seem to view banning Manhunt 2 as a way to protect the industry from scrutiny and unfair attacks. In fact, a ban is a triumph for the industry's harshest critics, not an act of diplomacy.

A ban is only likely to encourage those who believe video games, already the most regulated medium in entertainment history, should be further restricted.

What about games make them deserve special treatment from the authorities? According to industry groups, the average games player is in his or her 30s, yet you support the widely held view that games are somehow a less sophisticated medium than cinema, only suitable for immature audiences.

In other words, although gamers can negotiate the boundaries between reality and fiction in other media, you believe we are incapable of navigating the same boundaries in videogames.

Yes, we have responsibilities as an industry, but as a creative industry, not as a pharmaceutical or weapons industry. Creative industries have always faced harsh political and legal criticism, and we know some of the movie industry's more reactionary responses to scrutiny actually backfired.

We believe in a well-run ratings system. With the best rating system in history and the future of the industry and medium at stake, we don't understand why it is necessary to effectively ban all games intended for players 18 and older.

Sincerely, Rockstar Games

Check GamesIndustry.biz's article for further details.