Seems the Rockstar vs. EA and The Simpson's game fiasco didn't hold as much truth as you would think, it was mostly over-blown. EA rep Tammy Schachter stated to Kotaku:

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to put these rumors to rest. There was absolutely no content removed from the game as a result of complaints or comments by another publisher.

The spoof content and parody storyline for The Simpsons Game has been in place since the early stages of the titles' development. In-game spoof content for Grand Theft Scratchy has not been removed.

Information is sketchy at the moment, but it sounds as if Rockstar were offering there opinion on the game, saying most likely they thought it was wrong to be using "Grand Theft ______" for a mission name and that was taken by the press in the usual way, the wrong way. Which has spiked all this and caused fueds, where as nothing was really going on. Turns out the level has not changed, the content and all referenced to "Grand Theft Scratchy" are still in the game, and the level name was never actually changed either. Rockstar deserve an appology I think, as usual they are the bad guys in the media's eyes...

Take-Two and Rockstar Games today released a statement to GamePolitics.com in reference to the hack for Manhunt 2 both on the PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 2 versions of the game yesterday:

Multiple edits were made to revise Manhunt 2 for its M-rated version.

Hackers apparently have altered one of those edits to produce an illegally modified version of the game that can only be played on an unauthorized, modified PlayStation Portable handheld system.

All of the game material, and especially these specific edits, was submitted to and reviewed by the ESRB in accordance with requirements regarding disclosure that were enacted two years ago and any contrary suggestion is inaccurate and irresponsible.

Take-Two Chairman Strauss Zelnick said, “I stand behind the game and the ESRB ratings process. It is unfortunately the case that no one in the entertainment software industry is immune from hacking. We hope that consumers will not engage in hacking or download illegally modified copies of our games. We encourage them to enjoy our games as they are meant to be played. We would also like to emphasize that Manhunt 2 is intended for an audience aged 17 and above.”

So Take-Two and Rockstar are fully aware of the illegal hack, as is most of the web today. I suggest staying away from such a mod, as yes it is illegal and Rockstar don't need any more trouble. Hot coffee was more then enough I think, and with the effort it took to get Manhunt 2 on shelves, a re-banning after being released would be horrifying. It may not be in the same league as the sexually explicit Hot coffee modification, but with everything Manhunt 2 has had to dodge from critics to be release, this will fuel the fire.

Whether there be more to unlock or not is unknown. Take-Two did however stated to GamePolitics that the hack does not reveal all the AO content, only a portion. As this is hack unlocked the gore from the uncut version but not other content that was also removed, we only hope it was entirely removed and not left hidden in the code of files. That could cause disaster if it was, Take-Two was unable to comment on this however, but I am willing to bet you, if it's in there someone will find it now they have succeeded with one part of it.

Like GamePolitics states, the plus of all this is that Take-Two wasted no time in alerting the internet of this, as it was probably the time holding off on the Hot coffee hack that caused it to burst out of control. There has also been a lot of criticism over why the content (as far as we know so far, the gore) removed totally. To clear things up for those people, this game has been in development in 2004 and was only denied a M rating in the middle of this year, editing the game in a major way to remove a few things that could be easily blurred out to some degree would waste time, money and resources which could be accomplished with a few minor edits anyhow. Being it the rating systems fault, I hardly see how Rockstar should have had to re-code and re-model entire sections of game-play when all they needed was a bit of code, spend a day in their shoes and you'll see how hard it is too do, then decide.

Today, a group of Russian hackers released information on how to remove the censor in the PSP version of Manhunt 2. Shortly after, a guy named "nlldata" released a similar hack for the PS2 version of the game. Could this spark another "hot coffee" fiasco? Only time will tell how the mainstream media will blow this out of proportion. They certainly blew hot coffee out of proportion when it was found and released. To show our support for Rockstar, we will not be giving a link to this hack.

Blogger softrockhallelujah has struck again with more inside Rockstar information. This time on the subject of Max Payne 3, the game many have been waiting for since the end statement in Max Payne 2 credits -- "Max Paynes travel through the night will continue", however much some websites believed it was canceled some of us still hoped. If this information is correct then that hoping is over, and we have won:

Max Payne 3 will see release in either summer or fall of next year for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3

The believed-to-be-canceled game that was at development alongside the previously-believed-to-be-canceled Manhunt 2 at the now-defunct Rockstar Vienna has not been canceled and is currently being developed by an unknown Rockstar studio. Take-Two plans on having one major sequel release from Rockstar each season of next year, with MC:LA for winter, GTAIV for spring, MP3 in either summer or fall....and DNF (Duke Nukem Forever for those who do not like acronyms) in either summer or fall (whichever one that MP3 does not come out in).

Also, Take-Two plans on introducing Bioshock swag, starting with various items featuring the recently-trademarked "Every Man Has a Choice, I Chose the Impossible."

UPDATE: A source close to the title has informed me that Max Payne 3 is being developed for PS3 as well. And another source tells me that the game is being developed in Vancouver.

Now weighting this up, it does add up quiet well really. Also for those who we're unsure on the studio that created the first two, it was not Rockstar Vienna contrary to popular hear-say, it was in fact only ported by Vienna. Remedy made Max Payne 1 & 2, and from what I have heard myself Remedy and Rockstar had a fall-out not long after the release of Max Payne 2, and Remedy stated in '04 that they were not working on Max Payne 3. Chances are it is being worked on in-house by Rockstar by one, or more of it's studios.

Blogger softrockhallelujah recently posted an interesting article on "Exclusive L.A. Noire Information" which as received much attention, however we some way managed to overlook it entirely. Our apologies for the lateness of this news item, we assure it is worth it though. The exclusive information is as follows:

• The game will be a free-roaming title with a historically-accurate recreation of Los Angeles in 1947.

• Team Bondi has even hired a costume designer to research the clothing of the era so the game's attire can be accurate.

• Aside from main story, side missions will be based on actual cases pulled straight of the newspapers of 1947.

• A US Marine plays a big role in the story.

• Not so exclusive...but LA Noire definitely ain't coming to Xbox 360, the size of the game is an obstacle to this.

Now this information isn't official information, so it may or may not be one-hundred percent reliable. However many major gaming networks have acknowledged it, and Team Bondi have not comments on it, which is usually a sign of it being true. Softrockhallelujah is well known for having contacts in Rockstar Games, and as you may have noticed lately through the media and news posted here, she knows a fair bit of inside information. Lets just hope it's all true.

As most of America sleeps in waiting for the release of the most controversial, and apparently most violent, game ever only a few hours away the internet is being filled with outcries over Manhunt 2. Labels such as "the most violent video game yet", and ratings as low as 4 out of 10 from gaming websites that not only argued over the Uncut version's intensive violence, but were convincing everyone the modified version would be just as good have been among these outcries and discussions.

All we can say, is don't bash it till you've played it. We know first hands from a staff member who was lucky enough to get the game a day early, that it is a terrific game, and he is quite a critic mind you, so for him to say it's good, it must be good! As with all things, if you liked the first you should like the second, then again sources tell me it doesn't hold much of the same functions from the first game, in fact if you read the introduction on the back of the box you'll see compared to the first game, it is very different. If your a fan of horror and suspense, you should get a ball out of Manhunt 2. Don't let something as small as censorship change your judgment, we all know it was the evil but necessary action and Rockstar had no choice. As do we, it's either the censorship or no game at all, and certainly don't let a few bad reviews change your mind about purchasing the game. If you have to, hire it first to see what it like, I assure you that you will not be disappointed.

On a nice note, Rockstar did release a statement just earlier about Manhunt 2 now being available in North America:

New York, NY - October 30, 2007 - Rockstar Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), is proud to announce that Manhunt 2 for the Wii™ home video game system from Nintendo, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system is now available at North American retail stores.

“Manhunt 2 has gone through much to reach this day,” said Sam Houser, Founder and Executive Producer of Rockstar Games. “We are very excited that fans will finally get a chance to experience the magnificent horror experience we’ve crafted with Manhunt 2.”

The sequel to the critically acclaimed, best-selling franchise, Manhunt 2 is a dark and disturbing psychological story revolving around the sinister events of a secretive research project called The Pickman Project.

Plunging into the depths of human psychosis, terror and paranoia, the twisted plot and brutal gameplay conspire to create the most atmospheric gaming experience ever, with GamesRadar.com stating, “Manhunt 2 looks to be a deeply, horrifyingly unsettling experience, and we mean that as the highest possible compliment.”

Manhunt 2 for the Wii, PlayStation 2 system, and PSP system is rated “M” for Mature.

For more information please visit http://www.rockstargames.com/manhunt2/.

If your interested it seeing how the game begins, what starts the Manhunt 2 turmoil and non-stop fun, you can see the introduction movie on YouTube now. If you happened to see the video of the BETA introduction movie that was posted over the internet back when the leak happened, you'll notice it has really change. It's more dark, faster and grungy then before, with more dialog thrown in too. Terrific work Rockstar, you've done it again, a top notch game with a top notch story line and character dialog. Pat yourselves on the back, you should be proud of yourself.

We'll go right to the point. Some major sites have posted their reviews for Manhunt 2 and sadly it's not looking so good. Some of the reviewers state that the blurring that Rockstar were forced to do did ruined the experience a bit. Here's a quote from IGN:

The ESRB has forced Rockstar to make content changes which have in turn significantly reduced the impact of the franchise's trademark executions...

We couldn't agree more with this. Manhunt 2 had some stellar previews of the Uncut version but with the modified version it seems it ruins the experience. Odd part is some of the critisism is coming from people who said prier to this that Manhunt 2 uncut was too violent, and now it's not violent and gorry enough because of a few modifications? Well look at it this way, it's either these small effects to make it less visable during gore scenes or no game at all, which would you rather? I know which I would rather. Here's the reviews:

 Expect more reviews later in the day,  until then that's all folks. Remember Manhunt 2 is being released tomorrow ( or check out the discussion of it on our forums where staff member, Aj Collins, got it a day early ) on the Wii, PSP and PS2. Order it, line up for it, but what ever you do don't miss it!

As we expected, the internet today is swarming with discussion of Manhunt 2. Not all is good though, the usual groups of people who believe hitting buttons is just as bad as pulling a trigger are at it again, putting forward their opinions on Manhunt 2. I say opinion as that is all they are, and just because they say it doesn't mean it's true. We learned this back with Jack Thompson's attempts to have countless Rockstar titles banned, however with his situation at the moment others are trying to take over that "right". We all have a right to an opinion yes, but the fact most of these opinions are made on the old "violence is bad" statement is getting a little old. We also all have the right to decide what is best for us, or in children's cases, what is best for the child is decided by the parent. Ratings are guides, and blood and gore is pixels and models in games. At the end of the day if the parent can't decide or control there child, who can? It certainly shouldn't be the responsibility of the mature gaming industry, such as Rockstar Games.

Never the less, game lobbyist groups will be a big influence on people over the next week, all I can suggest is that any parents out their, make the decision based on what you believe is okay for your child, not all children are the same and some people react differently to violence then others. That shouldn't mean those that are the opposite get crucified should it? I don't think so, and I think Rockstar would agree. This is a mature gaming industry, for mature persons, however whether a 15 year old is mature or not should be decided by you, the parent, not some group of bias representatives.

If your interested in reading about the article by Associated Press to do with discouraging people from purchasing Manhunt 2, particularly parents, you can check it out here.

Reported earlier this week was an interview with Manhunt 2 producer Jeronimo Barrera, well today MTV got an interview with him also, and discussed with not only the possibility of a Manhunt 2 PC release, but a PC (maybe consoles also) future multiplayer Manhunt.

There are certainly no apologies coming from Rockstar and no indication that the house behind everything from "GTA" to a well-received table-tennis video game is going to avoid volatile subject matter in the future. Asked if the team had considered making a multiplayer "Manhunt" game, Barrera said, "That's a very interesting question. ... Who knows where the 'Manhunt' series is going to go? And that's definitely something that warrants some exploring on our part for sure."

And then there's the call from some gamers who think Rockstar should make an end run around the ratings boards and release the original version of the game on the PC, where, unlike on Sony and Nintendo platforms, an AO rating is still permissible. "We have always considered the feedback of our fans," Barrera said. "We believe it is very important, but at this point in time, we have no announcements to make."

This can only be a good thing, and will certainly add to the fun factor of the franchise that, thanks to it's banning of number 1 and number 2 in some countries, has added to it's success and become very popular. Lets hope, cross our fingers, and pray this isn't just a dream.

Thanks MTV for the terrific journalism work.

It seems that Rockstar Games have shipped out Dummy Box Arts Retailers. Take a look. I just found out that this is NOT a representation of what the final box art will be when the game is released, obviously as in Rockstar's style, we'll have to wait until a month before for any news that big. But these sure do fill the gap just fine. Enjoy...

Source: xboxfamily.com/xf/index.php