Manhunt. Sounds like a dating website for menopausal ladies, but in fact it’s the name of a controversial Rockstar game. The original was banned in the UK after the game was blamed for a murder, but now its sequel is having trouble getting out of the gates. With Rockstar successfully appealing against the ban, the BBFC have today officially applied for a Judicial Review.

The British Board of Film Classification, the folks who rate films and games, had a big problem with Manhunt 2 - most likely due to the controversy surrounding the original game.

With torture porn films entering the main stream (think Saw and Hostel), having a game in a similar vein should not be surprising. A good case has yet to be made for why games should be treated differently, and if retailers and parents followed the law by observing game ratings then there should be no problems with Manhunt 2 being rated 18+.

I for one saw Manhunt to be an incredible game, with some very talented voice acting. It’s use of camera angles, graphics, and film grain really gave the game atmosphere and referenced the torture film genre.

Indeed, I even saw it as a philosophically interesting game, bringing video game killing to the fore. In a way Manhunt mocked games that desensitise us from violence, actually making us aware of our on screen actions and at times even being disgusted.

Nonetheless, I haven’t played the sequel as it hasn’t be released and if it takes these themes and uses them merely to shock, then my estimations of the series will go down.

That’s if I ever get to play Manhunt 2, since after banning the game once the BBFC are not pleased with the Video Appeals Committee’s decision to allow the game to be released.

Rockstar winning the appeal appeared to be the right decision after the British government was bombarded with petitions, but two days ago the BBFC threatened to take the matter to the High Court.

They have now done so, applying for a judicial review as outlined in this press release:

The BBFC is applying for a judicial review of the decision by the Video Appeals Committee to overturn the Board’s rejection of the video game Manhunt 2. The Board’s challenge also seeks suspension of the Committee’s decision that the game should be classified.

The BBFC is contesting the VAC judgement because in the Board’s view, it is based on an approach to harm which is an incorrect interpretation of the Video Recordings Act. The VAC judgement, if allowed to stand, would have fundamental implications with regard to all the Board’s decisions, including those turning upon questions of unacceptable levels of violence. If the VAC’s decision is suspended, then the game will not be classified before the outcome of the Judicial Review.

So what do you think of the matter? Should Manhunt 2 be released, or is its violent themes just too much for British adults?

• Manhunt 2 Once Again a No-Go in Britain
• Manhunt 2 Banned Again in the UK
• “Irish Eyes Aren’t Smiling” Manhunt 2 Becomes First Game Banned In Ireland.
• ELSPA Director Encourages UK Government to Adopt PEGI
• Home Beta Expanded Access: Theme Download Required, PSN Activity Preferred
• European Parents “Concerned” Over Game Content
• Hillary Clinton Has Her Eye on Manhunt 2
• The Manhunt Is Over. Sony And Nintendo “Close The Lid” On Manhunt 2.

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