14 DAY TRIAL // If you're not already aware that Manhunt 2 has been "temporarily suspended" by Take-Two (owners of controversial developer Rockstar), then by all means, search the web and find out because everyone's said it one too many times. This piece of news today is for those who have already been keeping themselves updated with the history of events. Don't get too excited, things haven't changed much. I just thought you should know that.
Despite the fact that British and Irish censors this week have banned Manhunt 2, citing an unacceptable level of "gratuitous violence" and "sadism" occurring within the game, Take-Two Chairman Strauss Zelnick confirms his full support towards the game, stating that parents and consumers should be able to make their own choices once they are informed about a product. More than that, the man reckons we're dealing with a piece of 'art':
"The Rockstar team has come up with a game that fits squarely within the horror genre and was intended to do so," Zelnick said in a statement, according to Reuters. "It brings a unique, formerly unheard of cinematic quality to interactive entertainment, and is also a fine piece of art," he said.
I don't know if you knew this but, it's the first time in 10 years that British censors have refused to rate a video game and the first time ever Ireland has banned a game, so it's quite difficult to consider it 'art'. Still, the ESRB has indeed managed to give the 'killing-teacher' an AO (Adults Only) rating, but that won't do the company much good as neither Sony, nor Nintendo will allow such games on their respective platforms (currently, PlayStation consoles and Wii). Not to mention that there are several hot shot retailers that won't keep AO titles on their shelves either.
Now, here's what a Take-Two Interactive representative told GameSpot, according to GameGuru.in: "Take-Two Interactive Software has temporarily suspended plans to distribute Manhunt 2 for the Wii or PlayStation platforms while it reviews its options with regard to the recent decisions made by the British Board of Film Classification and Entertainment Software Rating Board ... We continue to stand behind this extraordinary game. We believe in freedom of creative expression, as well as responsible marketing, both of which are essential to our business of making great entertainment."
OK, we believe they believe in the freedom of expression but as I wrote before in an article related to the same issues, Manhunt 2 will literally transform the Wii into your personal killing teacher. Think about it, if some have been idiotic enough to go and kill bums on the street because it reminded them of a video game, how long do you think it will be before one goes to school with a crowbar and hits the teacher in the head, just because it reminded him of Manhunt 2 on the Wii, and how they replicated the exact movement with the Wii Remote?
I don't want to turn into Jack Thompson here, which means that I don't fully agree with everyone banning Manhunt 2 period; one thing is for sure though: killing people with sadism and no good reason isn't art, regardless of context.