Manhunt 2 Release Suspended

By Shawn White / Thursday, 21 June 2007

According to GameSpot, Manhunt 2 will miss the game's initial July 10 release date. The publisher Take-Two Interactive plans to use the delay to explore options in the wake of international bannings and an ESRB rating of Adults Only (AO).

"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," a Take-Two representative said. "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."

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), which also rates some video games, refused to rate Manhunt 2 and banned sales of the title in the UK. The ratings board for the U.S., the ESRB, followed by giving the game an AO rating. Retail chains such as Wal-Mart and Target maintain policies strictly prohibiting the sale of AO-rated software. Both Nintendo and Sony also nullified licensing agreements for Manhunt 2 on their respective platforms due to the rating. Take-Two Interactive and developer Rockstar must either contest the bans and rating, tone down the content to "M for Mature" levels, or cancel the game altogether.

The original Manhunt game released in the U.S. with an "M for Mature" rating from the ESRB. However, New Zealand censorship officials banned the game in that country in early 2004. Retail bans across Europe followed after a July 2004 controversy in which Leicester, UK resident Warren Leblanc, 17, murdered his 14-year-old friend Stefan Pakeerah with a claw hammer. Pakeerah's parents stated that Leblanc had an obsession with Manhunt and killed his friend in manner similar to those found in the game. The BBFC defended the UK rating, saying that "[Manhunt] is classified 18... and therefore should not be in the possession of a juvenile."

The GameSpot report can be found here.

Stay tuned to The Wiire for the latest on Manhunt 2's fate.