Manhunt 2 given AO rating in US

It's been a rough couple of days for Rockstar's Manhunt 2. Yesterday it was banned from the UK, now in the US it's been given an Adults Only (AO) rating by the ESRB. Take 2 disagree with the decision and feel it should be rated M instead.

"Manhunt 2 was created for mature audiences and we strongly believe it should receive an M (Mature) rating, aligning it with similar content created in other forms of media. We are exploring our options with regard to the rating of Manhunt 2".

The AO rating is bad news from the publisher's point of view. While Manhunt 2 would still be available to the public, sales could be dramatically affected since major retailers like Wal-Mart won't stock adult games.

Rob Jones

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User comments

Scooby Jew said:

Holy crap. People hate Rockstar after GTA, I guess. They're just haters. I think this game should have an M rating. At most. After all, most of the GTA games seemed to promote violence and gangbanging, giving it a glorious light. This game, as Rockstar said, is just a method of getting entertainment in a wicked way from a game in the horror genre. Can't wait to get this game. If I can't get it, I'll get my brother to get it for me anyhow. Eat THAT, ESRB!

JD said:

At least you will be able to get it. It's going to banned here in Ireland as well as the UK.

Wiimaster said:

ESRB sucks!

Splintercell4ever said:

I'll just buy in a horse costume. That's the type of people they are expecting the game anyway.

Hey said:

What the hell? That's not fair.

DragonFoxCoon said:

After San Andreas got the AO rating, they pulled it from the shelves for a year and made sure all subsequent copies were rid of the "Hot Coffee" mod. Does the AO rating for Manhunt mean that they'll delay the launch of this game to make it less AO? Or will they go ahead and launch it anyway, knowing that most people won't be able to get their hands on this game because Wal-Mart, Gamestop, EB Games and others won't carry an AO rated game? Either way, I want this game. First, because the first was great most of the time. Second, just because I want a game that's rated AO to go along with my launch-day GTA: San Andreas. And Scooby Jew, you're the reason schmucks like Jack Thompson are trying to ban violent games. As long as you don't slaughter your town, Manhunt-style, I'm happy.

Bigdog said:

AO is entirely appropriate, the game boasts full motion controls for gruesome and sadistic acts of torture, dismemberment and mutilation. The ESRB did the right thing.

Quartz said:

First AO game on the Wii then eh?

Splintercell4ever said:

Hey, I really have no idea why everyone hates Jack Thompson. Remember the Columbine shootings. Those guys were avid players of violent video games such as Doom, and might have triggered the shootout. Second, this year was the devastating tragedy of the Virginia Tech shootout. The shooter could have played a violent video games, as violence is escalating such as Manhunt and Grand Theft Auto. Thank me for being the only to even mention the tragedy, since I guess you guys only care about things in your own state. Finally, the assholes who did the shootings, not only effected the victims' families, but their own families as well. Now because of them, there own brothers and sisters are going to be treated differently because they were related to shooters. If those were not good enough reasons, then somebody please tell what the hell are.

Chaos said:

If the game's aimed at adults like Rockstar says, then an AO rating sounds more than appropriate. If minors got a hold of it then what's the point of even having ratings?

JONATHAN KENT said:

The one and only country we can rely on: 'holland'. Come on release it uncut! Cannot imagine it being banned there - in a country where prostitution and weed is legal.

Ian C said:

Hell yeah Wiimaster.

Nova said:

I don't know. I have been doing some research. Does anyone remember Postal? Apparently there have been extensive research on the matter of video games in relativity to real life actions. I don't necessarily believe it, seeing as I play some violent stuff, and most people consider me to be the most peaceful person they've ever met. Any thoughts?

Splintercell4ever said:

Yeah, I have some thoughts. How about instead of thinking about yourself the whole time, remember there are 6 billion other people in the world. Just because you don't commit violence doesn't mean everyone else won't. One tragedy is one too many. We already experienced that this year.

C Nickel said:

I haven't played the first Manhunt so I don't really know if the second one deserves an AO rating or not, but to those people saying video games cause violence, I've been into video games since the old ColecoVision and dos (Dos had actual drawn pictures which I think are more gruesome then some games today). I've played all those games like Doom, Mortal Kombat, and quite a few other gruesome ones, and I haven't done anything like these people are saying and I think I have grownup just fine (well maybe a little antisocial, I don't think that had anything to do with the games though). Besides it's not the developers job to limit their creations because of what kids or teens may do (18/21 depending on country laws), who is there to say they wouldn't have done it anyway regardless if a certain game existed or not. Like saying guns kill, it's not the gun that kills, IT'S THE PERSON THAT USES IT, however you may think, that's the truth about it. I think I remember hearing about postal I believe the results were to inconclusive considering lack of background information (personal life etc). One day someone's going to get caught practicing medicine without a license and they are going to blame it on the game Trauma Center for the Wii.