The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has just banned Rockstar Games’ upcoming release of the disturbingly-violent video game, Manhunt 2, in the UK, an action which the BBFC has not taken in 10 years.

In 1997, the BBFC decided to ban the video game, Carmageddon, a decision that was later overturned by the Video Appeals Committee. But they are at it again, and the target, this time, is Manhunt 2.

“Rejecting a work is a very serious action and one which we do not take lightly,” BBFC director David Cooke stated. “Where possible we try to consider cuts or, in the case of games, modifications which remove the material which contravenes the Board’s published Guidelines. In the case of Manhunt 2 this has not been possible.”

Manhunt 2 is extremely violent, requiring the player to kill just for sake of killing; it’s an art, as well as the object of the game itself.

“There is sustained and cumulative casual sadism in the way in which these killings are committed, and encouraged, in the game,” Cooke added, while hinting that the second release of Manhunt will be much better than the first. “Although the difference should not be exaggerated the fact of the game’s unrelenting focus on stalking and brutal slaying and the sheer lack of alternative pleasures on offer to the gamer, together with the different overall narrative context, contribute towards differentiating this submission from the original Manhunt game.”

The original Manhunt game received a classification of ‘18′; however, the BBFC says Manhunt 2’s predecessor was on the line of not even being acceptable for adults.

“Against this background, the Board’s carefully considered view is that to issue a certificate to Manhunt 2, on either platform, would involve a range of unjustifiable harm risks, to both adults and minors.”

Sue Clark, BBFC’s press officer, spoke with gaming site, SPOnG.com, noting that Rockstar does have the right to appeal; though, the process is a long, drawn out legal battle which is sure to last well into the release of Manhunt 2.

”If an appeal goes ahead will only be around the 20th appeal since 1984,” the BBFC’s Sue Clark informed SPOnG, “other than Carmageddon in 1997, which was the only other video game to receive a BBFC ban, appeals have been mostly centered around pornographic videos.” Sue added that nearly 50% of appeals are successful.

The Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA), a company founded to protect, promote, and establish a specific identity for the British video games industry, sadly supports the BBFC’s decision.

“A decision from the BBFC such as this demonstrates that we have a games ratings system in the UK that is effective. It shows it works and works well. Any decision the BBFC takes, it takes on the basis of its remit to rate on screen entertainment,” said Paul Jackson, ELSPA Director General. “The important thing to know is that all games are rated according to age suitability, with over 70 per cent of games being available to all ages over three years.”

While the UK is depicts Manhunt 2 to be unsuitable for any age, this move is just one more reason, on my list, to purchase the game on July 10th.

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Entry was posted on Tuesday, June 19th, 2007 at 5:09 am under Legal.

Read more entries by George Gardner.
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