The British Board of Film Classification has banned the sale of Manhunt 2, which was scheduled to come out next month for the Wii, PS2 and PSP. As you might expect, the ratings board cited the game’s encouragement of “visceral killing with exceptionally little alleviation or distancing…. There is sustained and cumulative casual sadism in the way in which these killings are committed, and encouraged, in the game.” So because the game “encourages” wanton violence, it’s banned, censored, never to set foot on British soil.
Good.
It’s time people stand up to these pornography peddlers and demand some accountability. Do we really want our children exposed to such filth? How can any decent person defend a game where the main objective is to seek out other human beings and snuff them out? I, for one, want to live in a society that celebrates life and not one that celebrates death. Though I’m sure there will be people who say, “You can’t ban X without banning Y since it’ll create a slippery slope.” Nonsense. The “slippery slope” argument could be the most intellectually bankrupt argument out there.
I applaud the BBFC’s decision to ban the game’s sale in the UK. Maybe if our leaders here in the U.S. had any moral courage they’d follow the UK’s lead on this important matter.
Manhunt 2 banned from sale in UK [GamesIndustry.biz]
I don’t agree with you Nick – there are FAR worse things in the world happening for real (ei: Iraq, Afganistan, Pakistan etc. ). Kids don’t buy these games, adults do, if they let their kid play it… so what, that is their decision. I wouldn’t let my kids play this game but if I had some buddies coming over, why not? The argument you have made is the same one made by Doom “haters” decades past, rock and roll “haters” in the 50s etc… The US leadership (or lack thereof) is the last place I would look for any glimmer of morality and it would be totally silly to continue festering real human tragedy yet banning the virtual kind.
Arg, now I fell into your flame war trap ;-)
Jon
Boo! This is their way of getting us back for the American Revolutionary War. What’s so different about a violent video game than a violent movie, or a violent war that’s shown on the news every channel for 24/7, or I don’t know…the internet? I’ll tell you the difference!…
The difference between a violent video game and let’s say…real life, is that it’s a video game. *gasp!* A what? A video game! It’s not real! Now, there’s been a lot of commotion lately about video games controlling weak minded children, taking over lives, eating babies, etc etc.. but has there been any real result of such ‘naughty’ video games? I mean, anything more wrong than what’s not already going on in the world and has been for the passed 3000+ years? (Well, Cosplay is one bad thing that has come out of video games in general…but we aren’t discussing that)
And if you’re going to say Columbine, or the Virginia Tech shooting, or anything like that…there’s no proof that violent video games forced them to pull the trigger. And though games like ‘Doom’ (ohhh so scary), and GTA (or the likes) were found in their rooms…who hasn’t played those games? They’re top sellers, classics…but I don’t see the whole country (world for that matter) shooting each other in the face, running over people in cars…
…Oh wait…you do see that in the real world…but when have you not? Nothing is more violent than the real world. Nothing can be captured in a video game nor a movie that is more violent, more gruesome, more disgustingly brutal, than what is already seen in real life. And there’s no way of hiding it from your kids, because chances are they’ll see it at their friends house, or they’ll see it on tv, or they’ll see it on the streets. We live in a cruel world, if people want to have some ‘fun’ in a video game knowing they can’t and won’t do it in the real world then let them play. Who are you (you as in the general public/commissions/associations/whatever) to decide what video games are good and not good for people to play.
…aaand scene.
Bah, Jon beat me to it…I applaud you sir.
I agree that banning a video game that is clearly aimed at ADULTS is pretty dumb. Games like this are why we have ratings – so I can buy them and little Timmy can’t. What would you say if the BBC banned violent movies next or music with curse words in it (not from radio but from sale in stores). Censorship in ANY form should be reviled and not applauded even if you agree with the censors. Forget the “slippery slope” I say ANY censorship is BAD and should be banned!
Oooof! I got old somehow. But here I am. 40 years old with an 18 month old son.
I’m agreeing with Nicholas on this. Way too much violence and way too many irresponsible people out there.
Mark posted;
“Who are you (you as in the general public/commissions/associations/whatever) to decide what video games are good and not good for people to play.”
I’m a member of society trying to raise my son according to the values I want to instill in him. I’ll explain the horrors of reality to him as incrementally as possible. Little by little.
I won’t let him watch the news uncensored, no “R” rated movies, and no violent video games.
Here’s the thing though. I’m scared shitless.
I understand that you’re a member of society, as am I, as are lots of gamers out there that don’t want to see a good game blacklisted. But having organizations choose for you is what I think is wrong. (Not all organizations are wrong, but I see no point to one dedicated to banning video games like the BBFC are doing.. yeah the ESRB is the same thing, but I doubt it’ll be banned in the States)
And just like you said Alex – “I’ll explain the horrors of reality to him as incrementally as possible. Little by little.” – The horrors are still available, but you’re doing your duty as a parent to protect your child. Does this not also deal with video games? You aren’t my parent, nor is the BBFC/ESRB/etc, so why do they get to choose?
My father raised me without exposing me to the harmful world of reality all at once either, but I did play games. And I was gradually allowed to play more violent games as I grew. Granted they weren’t as violent as they are today, but games like Mortal Kombat, Doom, etc. etc were still in my grasp by the age of 7-8 (born in ‘87). But this didn’t turn me into a 8 yr old homicidal maniac..I did however pretend I was SubZero on the playground shooting ice balls out of my hands, but yet, still nothing physical against another child. And I still knew that I was only playing a game.
Hats off to you Alex for trying your best at shielding violence from your child. Maybe I’ll think the same way when I have a child, but for now I don’t see it fair that because people have children it ruins everyone else’s chance to play some games.
I have a 2 year old daughter and still see no point in banning a game, movie, etc. I would never let her play this game – but why can’t I after she has gone to bed or is spending the night at grandma and grandpa’s? I am a concenting adult and should be able to play this game if I want. If I lived in the UK I would be pissed that I now don’t even have the option. Ratings are set in place to PREVENT kids from playing games that are not OK for their age – and we as parents have to do our part to enforce them at home – but WE should not be prevented in taking part in or seeing games, movies, etc. that we choose to buy.
What Travis said x2 (He says it better than me with less words…I’m such a noob :P )
“I won’t let him watch the news uncensored, no “R” rated movies, and no violent video games.”
While I applaud you for that, and agree with you, and raise my daughter the same, I do not agree with the idea that a government should legislate based upon personal preference.
I know a UK importer, he must be very happy now.
Just a quick note. I read Crunch Gear for tech news, not political commentary. Regardless of ones position, I would prefer if this site stayed with the tech news focus.
I will probably drop reading this site if it becomes overtly political. I know I’m simply one person, and it’s likely the ad revenue wouldn’t be impacted, but perhaps others feel the same.
To not be hypocritical, I’ll refrain from stating my own opinion on the actions of the British Government.
Video games are tech. Therefore news involving video games would be tech news. I enjoy it.
I wanna reitterate what Nicholas wrote in the original post, ie.
“because the game “encourages” wanton violence, it’s banned”
It has nothing to do with the age of the person playing the game.
It’s more of a moral stance than any ‘rating’ issue.
With other games that involve ‘killing’, it’s usually in order to survive, as you need to kill the opponent/enemy in or end up dead yourself.
ie. kill or be killed.
This game on the other hand is not really about killing in order to survive,
but rather killing for the sake of enjoyment! Totally wrong, in my opinion.
The game has been banned because it is all about killing people in the most sickest way you can imagine, again ‘encouraging’ people to think of sick and twisted ways to execute a killing. Not good.
I’m glad the BBFC banned it here in the UK. even though knowing how the internet works it’ll probably be up on some torrent site in no time. At the very least it should discourage the developers who design the games!!
I’m a gamer. I’ll freely admit that.
More than that, I’m in University here in the UK, studying to hopefully get into the games industry.
Effectively banning this game was not a good idea. It’ll just serve to get most of the gaming populace annoyed as hell. I say effectively because we don’t have censorship here. Oh no, we have ‘classification’ and if the BBFC refuse to classify a game, then it’s been effectively censored.
The last game that had this happen was Carmageddon, and to be honest, the game wasn’t very good, but it was fun, in a self-mocking sort of way.
I love the fact that movies like Hostel I and II, Saw I, II, III and IV released this year – can get through regardless. They show HORRIFIC acts, and yet – “Hey! It’s just a movie! People won’t mimic that. Nooo. Movies good.”
It’s pathetic to have double standards, for the sake of interaction. It’s not ‘You’ committing these acts. It’s the character you play. No more than it’s not ‘You’ in the school production of Romeo and Juliet that kills him/herself, it’s the character.
The original Manhunt, as well documented now, had NOTHING to do with the publicized murder it was supposedly accused of being the influence for, here in the UK. The VICTIM owned the game.
Millions of people play computer games, it’s unfair to claim that ‘the ruling body of ____ knows better because it’s ‘protecting’ it’s people from making their own choice.’
If you’re going to point the finger, do NOT do it at computer games.
If someone is so weak-minded and messed up that a video game can influence them to go out and commit violence, then the video games are the smallest part of that problem. The fact they’re that weak-minded/mentally damaged is the real problem. What happened to just being crazy? It seems that people who want to censor video games have incredible faith in humanity coinciding with a complete lack of faith in humanity.
Faith that whoever is in the government will make the right decisions deciding what adults can or cannot do.
Lack of faith that whoever plays the game will be influenced by a video game to do violence.
The government should not legislate morality. Ever. It’s not a slippery slope argument, but a one of legal precedence. The idea that legal precedence is an intellectually bankrupt argument is…well…foolish. You said that the people should stand up to these pornographers. I agree, and they can just do it by not buying the damn game. If they have poor sales, then developers might reconsider making games like this one. To have the government put a moral barrier down on it just sets a terrible legal precedent that really just goes against the first amendment.
If you don’t want your kids playing it, then stop your kids from playing it. Jesus. It’s not rocket science.
Not this again… This is due to silly little boys with clear mental issues doing something illegal involving an air pistol and a car or an act of murder that mirrors something from a game. Games DO NOT cause violence and people might disagree with me but coming from experience I funnily enough haven’t had an urge to go and run people over or suffocate someone. I’m a big fan of the manhunt game. Its human nature to take interest into something that is not normal. Everyone is interested by dark and disturbing happenings. This is a game made for entertainment purposes. The reason a certificate is placed on these things is to stop silly little children getting a hold of the game and then blaming the game producers as an excuse to there bad up bringing. I think banning the game in the UK will just lead to everyone importing it.
Thank you for being brave enough to share your position on this, Nicholas. Regardless of how one thinks violent video games affect people, and even regardless of the censorship issues, I’m getting sick and tired of the world using the most horrible elements of our existence as entertainment. Ask a man whose daughter was brutally raped and murdered if CSI is a show he enjoys watching, or if he plays video games where he himself can brutally murder someone. Those whose lives have truly been marred by evil know that these things should not be used as entertainment.
I Strongly disagree with nick here. I believe that as an adult I should have the right to do as I please at the privacy of my home.You really cant blame society problems on a game.There is been sickos and murderer since the beginning of time (Jack the Ripper, Charles Manson, Ted Bundy and many others sickos that were killing and raping before violent video games came along).How about bad parenting? Yeah lets talk about how bad parents leave the kids watching tv and playing video games without their supervision and when something bad happen they blame it on whatever their playing or watching because they too immature to take responsability for themselves.Well I guess is ok to send young males/females to the military to shoot and kill real people but to play a rated AO game is almighty bad.
**People are retarded**
Hello
Very interesting information! Thanks!
Bye
Luckily in most cases your view is not law. Life is death. If you allow your children to play manhunt your as guilty as a whore allowing her child to see her fucking her clients.
There’s a worrying tendancy, that you seem to exhibit, growing in soc, that of rejecting personal responsability in favor of centralised responsability. Its a dangerous slippery slope your following =)
You sir are an ignorant fool. Not only this but a seemingly idiotic one at that. Your stupidity is only surpassed by your narrow mindedness so on that note please stop posting your misguided propaganda and jog off back to reading your subscription to the daily mail.