14 DAY TRIAL // It is truly an upsetting day for child advocates, due to the release of Rockstar's violent horror-stealth title, Manhunt 2, for platforms PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable and Wii. According to a piece up on Yahoo News, "child advocates are urging parents not to buy 'Manhunt 2, a video game whose characters kill and torture using implements ranging from glass and shovels to a fuse box and a toilet."
Everyone knows the story of Manhunt 2 and how it got banned twice by the BBFC, leaving Rockstar with no choice but to go solely with the PC version of the game in Europe. However, as the ESRB has indeed granted it an M rating in the States, console owners will be able to pick it up as soon as today for the low price of just $28, for any platform version: "This is a very clear and firm warning to parents that the game is in no way intended for children," says official word from the ESRB.
It shouldn't even be the case really since the title is rated M for Mature. As a mature person you supposedly know your way to the store and back home, also being able to handle the 28 bucks for the sadistic software so parents are out of the question.
The thing is, more than one voice says that kids under the age of 17 can easily get their hands on the title, pointing fingers at Take-Two Interactive (owners of Rockstar). Naturally, Take-Two's answer, although diplomatic and very sincere, is not enough to put out the fire:
"Take-Two believes in freedom of creative expression. We also believe in social responsibility," Nebb wrote. "Not all of our products are intended for all consumers and we responsibly market our mature products to adults. We firmly believe that informed adults should be able to make their own choices about entertainment products for themselves and their families."
One nonprofit group that advises parents about television, movies, certain websites and video games that may not be appropriate for children is The Common Sense Media (catchy name...!). Its CEO, James Steyer thinks that Manhunt 2 is "the most senselessly violent and offensive thing [he has] ever watched," adding that "it struck [him] personally as pornographic violence."
So, as it always goes, it's an ongoing battle between anti-video-game crusaders and developers, who, if you've noticed, point fingers at one another, but in the end, they all point fingers at the consumer, who, by all means, should know what the hell their offspring play alone in their rooms!!!