Manhunt 2 gets M rating (US) - Get in!

[TheSlugFormerlyKnownAsNap]

I wonder if Rockstar's changes have actually improved the game...

If the game remains banned in Britain, presumably a Dutch release will work on UK Wiis if we all import?

Sure it will. It'll even be in English. However, as I said, I don't expect two versions to show up. I think we'll get one European version which will have the same modifications as the now M-Rated American version.

[Aardvark]

Well exactly. That's why I said: "Hopefully whoever dictates bbfc operating guidelines will tell them to adopt this approach at some point in the future."

Ah I see where our misunderstanding comes from. The BBFC dictates its own operating guidelines, but the VRA imposes a legal context within which they have to apply those guidelines. I should have put that at the start of my explanation. I think the BBFC would like to move on this one (certainly the director has voiced such sentiments about films in the past) and indeed can take this approach for film, but amending the VRA will probably be a much tougher job.

It would help if people kept a good campaign going about this issue, directed at the right target, and not centred around a single high profile film or game.

[Fry Crayola]

The only thing that happened in Holland is that the government said they can't outlaw this game based on the current legislation. However, I don't expect Rockstar to bring out the uncut version over here because if they wanted to they already could have weeks ago. We'll probably get the same modified version as the yanks.

Rockstar couldn't release the uncut game in the US because Sony/Nintendo wouldn't allow it. It's likely that, unfortunately, they hold enough sway to block its release in other territories.

Even if that isn't the case and a European uncut release was always possible, I imagine Rockstar were holding off and having a rethink whilst the appeals were made.

I'd love the uncut version to get a Dutch release, it'd be great for all of us.

[barkbat]

Could anyone clear up what version the Dutch are basing their opinion on.

It seems they are talking about the newly cut US version (due to the timing of the announcement), but the reasoning behind the verdict appears to apply to the original uncut version.

Also...

‘The current law is based on the principle that every adult is considered capable of deciding for himself which games he wants to play, unless it contains illegal material.’

For not agreeing to this I think the BBFC are cretins. They should be telling the government to regulate retail better, and eductae parents, not banning games under the pretence that bad things can happen and children get access in negligent homes. That kind of twisted reasoning results in a land made of sugar and chocolate where we all watch teletubbies and play hungry hippos.

[DeNeo]

That kind of twisted reasoning results in a land made of sugar and chocolate where we all watch teletubbies and play hungry hippos.

Sounds like my flat at uni. Good times.

[TheSlugFormerlyKnownAsNap]

Could anyone clear up what version the Dutch are basing their opinion on.

AFAIK: None. When the media reported about Manhunt 2 getting a ban in various countries, the Justice Minister was asked if 'violent games like these could be forbidden', to which the answer is 'no'. But between the question and the answer are often a couple of weeks. The answer isn't very surprising either, as the words of the Minister are exactly the same as the thing I said earlier in the big Manhunt 2 thread: it's not possible to 'outlaw' a publication unless it contains material explicitly forbidden by law. And even then after publication as there's no need to get approval from any institution to publish something. We do have some self-regulation like 'Kijkwijzer' (which is a bit like the BBFC rating when it comes to the 'not suitable for persons under ...'-thing), but they do not have the power to ban something, just to give it a rating.

[Timmo]

I don't understand all the fuss about Manhunt. I played the first one loads and it only inspired three murders.

[Smitty]

Regardless of wether Rockstar release the uncensored version there or not, i'd like to say bravo to Holland.

Good stuff.

[TheSlugFormerlyKnownAsNap]

Well, the government is quite reluctant so 'bravo' is not in order here. It's not they don't WANT to outlaw it, it's that they CAN'T because the law doesn't allow it. However, they're working on it.

From the same article, translated:

Hirsch Ballin (the Minister) wants a pan-European approach on handling violent computergames. "Acting cooperatively can result in a ban on the most violent games," he writes.