According to a report by the BBC, Take Two’s new Chairman, Struass Zelnick is giving Manhunt 2 his full support. He also believes that consumers should decide for themselves whether or not they wish to buy the game.
“The Rockstar team has come up with a game that fits squarely within the horror genre and was intended to do so…It brings a unique, formerly unheard of cinematic quality to interactive entertainment, and is also a fine piece of art.”
Manhunt 2 has been granted a preliminary rating of Adults Only in the US, effectively banning it. It has also received a complete ban in the UK, Ireland, and possibly Australia.
Developer Rockstar issued a statement emphasizing their disappointment in the British Board of Film Classification’s (BBFC) decision to refuse classification of Manhunt 2. It said:
“While we respect the authority of the classification board and will abide by the rules, we emphatically disagree with this particular decision. Manhunt 2 is an entertainment experience for fans of psychological thrillers and horror. The subject matter of this game is in line with other mainstream entertainment choices for adult consumers.”
Rockstar’s statement continued with the following:
“We believe all products should be rated to allow the public to make informed choices about the media and art they wish to consume. The stories in modern videogames are as diverse as the stories in books, film and television. The adult consumers who would play this game fully understand that it is fictional interactive entertainment and nothing more.”
