Performing the perfect executions is a real talent, it can't be taught, it can only be learned by experience. You need patients, time and the right weapon. IGN today has posted a total of 6 videos on different executions from Manhunt 2, they all show how the new "blur" effects work to cover the gore and violence, it doesn't seem as bad as first stated however it isn't the prettiest thing ever seen, hell the gore is nicer. The blur effect is also a little different in the PlayStation 2 version compared to the Wii version. Executions shown are - Pistol, Pen, Manhole, Crowbar, Syringe and Telephone. You can click the Weapon name to see the video, or use the tool below to see all 6 right here, enjoy!
So at the moment we're all a little unhappy about the re-banning of Manhunt 2 in the UK which seemed more like a personal vendetta then a professional rating by the book. But what if all that meant nothing in the long run, and those living in the UK could get their hands on Manhunt 2 through a legal download of the game from Rockstar Games themselves? Well Phill Carnell, a lawyer with legal firm CMS Cameron McKenna revealed to Register Hardware that due to an loophole in the UK's 1984 Video Recordings Act this is the case. Downloadable games do not need a classification as the Act only covers physical products, obviously as 1984 was long before the Internet or even Computers had really taken off.
A BBFC spokeswoman said “that would be legal and not contravening the Video Recordings Act” for Rockstar Games to sell Manhunt 2 online as a downloadable game, and added that many games the BBFC ban or don't have a BBFC rating are sold online to UK residents. However as she stated following that, most developers go for a rating as well as a physical product will sell more then an online product, which I imagine would be true. However it's final option Rockstar have at their disposal, and a good one at that. They still have US sales and sales in other countries that will no doubt be high.
Carnell added that the loophole is "ridiculous and dated", as I said before. He believes Take-Two are most likely aware of it and that the real obstacle is having Sony and Nintendo support the game.
Today, Rockstar released the final trailer for Manhunt 2. Manhunt 2 is set for a release in the US this Halloween. Sorry Europe, you will not be getting Manhunt 2 any time soon. You can thank the BBFC and their biased against games for the no Europe release. Australia has still yet to rate the game.
Official Site
Pre-Order: Manhunt 2 (Rockstar Warehouse)
Back in early September we reported that an un-censored beta version of Manhunt 2 had been leaked on to the net. Rockstar has been pretty quiet about it until now. Today, Rockstar confirmed to GamePolitics that they have found and "sacked" the leaker of this version of Manhunt 2. The interesting part is, the leak didn't come from ANYONE at Rockstar, it came from someone at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe! Here is a statement from Take2 Interactive to GamePolitics.
"Take-Two Interactive has confirmed that a former employee of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) has acknowledged his responsibility for the unauthorized online distribution of an unrated play-test version of Manhunt 2 submitted for the European PAL PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system."
It's interesting to hear that the leak came from Sony instead of someone at Rockstar. It seems Sony needs to tighten up their security a little bit. All this does not currently have an effect on the release date and Manhunt 2 is still set for a Halloween 2007 release.
Source: GamePolitics
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
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!
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
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.
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.
