14 DAY TRIAL // Just days ago, news broke out that the PSP version of Rockstar's controversial title, manhunt 2, was hackable. Hackable in the way that players could manage a file or two within the pirated copy of the game and un-censor it. As it turns out, it's true. It can be done, but that's not important right now. What's important is that while everyone was waiting to hear that Take-Two and Rockstar were being buried in lawsuits again, the ESRB made an investigation and issued a positive response to the whole issue:
"We do not believe these modifications fully restore the product to the version that originally received an AO rating, nor is this a matter of unlocking content," the ESRB stated. "Our investigation indicates that the game's publisher disclosed to the ESRB all pertinent content in the authorized Mature-rated version of Manhunt 2 now available in stores, and complied with our guidelines on full disclosure of content."
For those who didn't get the chance to familiarize themselves with this particular story, the hack requires the user to delete the "replace original file" scripts in the game code, which the ESRB seemingly knew about. In doing this, PSP owners would be able to access the game's original and untampered-with version. Everyone thought that if this rumor (not confirmed at that time) turned out to be true and got out to the mainstream media, Take-Two and Rockstar would be facing numerous lawsuits again. However, the ESRB's response tells a totally different story.
Then board even added that they've distinguished the Manhunt 2 - Hot Coffee 2 issue setting it apart from the San Andreas Hot Coffee' scandal - as digitalbattle.com reports - claiming that Rockstar had "knowingly" included the Hot Coffee scene, not disclosing it to the ESRB; whereas the content within the company's latest addition to the video games market "was disclosed and modified via censor blurring to get the "M" rating," the same website posts.
ESRB president Patricia Vance even added that, although Manhunt 2 doesn't feature an AO (Adults Only) rating, the game is clearly intended for the respective audience: "Manhunt 2's rating makes it unmistakable that the game is intended for an older audience", she said. "The unauthorized hacking into the code of this game doesn't change that basic fact."