BBFC Speaks: Manhunt 2 Still No Sale
Video Appeals Committee clears appeal... BBFC has to rule
The British Board of Film Censors is waiting delivery of text of the Video Appeals Committee judgement on Rockstar Games' controversial Manhunt 2.
The official line is:
The fact is that until the BBFC has seen the the VAC judgement - which has allowed Rockstar's appeal against the BBFC - you will not see versions of the game in-store. In fact, even after the judgement has been reciecved at the censors' Soho Square (London) offices, Manhunt 2 may still not be cleared for sale in the UK over the counter.
SPOnG spoke with the BBFC's head of communications, Sue Clark, in order to get clarification on the situation. The first thing we asked was whether the VAC's judgement means it's a Manhunt 2 Greedmas?
"It does not mean that Manhunt 2 can go on sale", was the unequivocal response.
There is, you see, another one or maybe two stages to go before the situation is resolved. Firstly, as Clark explains, "We still haven't seen the final VAC judgement, we will have to review that. If we do not see any grounds to go to a judicial review then it (the game) can be classified".
And if not, we asked? "Then we will take it to judicial review, we will take it to the High Court".
So, how long does this decision take? Apparently, it is unusual for the BBFC not to receive the full judgement close to the time at which the VAC states its ruling. The text of the judgement is then read and a decision is made relatively quickly. SPOnG imagines a BBFC statement will be forthcoming before the week is out. Then either the game will be classified or we will wait the High Court's return from Christmas holidays.
We also contacted Rockstar for its reaction to the VAC judgement. Here is what we were told:
SPOnG is not convinced that the BBFC is going to let this one slip gently and quietly away, certainly not if its statements today are to be believed:
To us that reads very much as if the BBFC will be reading the VAC's judgement for any smidgeon of a possibility that the 'controversial' video game can find its way to the High Court. We'll keep you posted.
The official line is:
"Following the decision by the Video Appeals Committee to allow the appeal by Rockstar against the BBFC’s rejection of the game by a majority of four to three, David Cooke, Director of the BBFC said: 'The BBFC will carefully study the judgement by the Video Appeals Committee when it becomes available'".
The fact is that until the BBFC has seen the the VAC judgement - which has allowed Rockstar's appeal against the BBFC - you will not see versions of the game in-store. In fact, even after the judgement has been reciecved at the censors' Soho Square (London) offices, Manhunt 2 may still not be cleared for sale in the UK over the counter.
SPOnG spoke with the BBFC's head of communications, Sue Clark, in order to get clarification on the situation. The first thing we asked was whether the VAC's judgement means it's a Manhunt 2 Greedmas?
"It does not mean that Manhunt 2 can go on sale", was the unequivocal response.
There is, you see, another one or maybe two stages to go before the situation is resolved. Firstly, as Clark explains, "We still haven't seen the final VAC judgement, we will have to review that. If we do not see any grounds to go to a judicial review then it (the game) can be classified".
And if not, we asked? "Then we will take it to judicial review, we will take it to the High Court".
So, how long does this decision take? Apparently, it is unusual for the BBFC not to receive the full judgement close to the time at which the VAC states its ruling. The text of the judgement is then read and a decision is made relatively quickly. SPOnG imagines a BBFC statement will be forthcoming before the week is out. Then either the game will be classified or we will wait the High Court's return from Christmas holidays.
We also contacted Rockstar for its reaction to the VAC judgement. Here is what we were told:
"We are committed to making great interactive entertainment, while also marketing our products responsibly and supporting an effective rating system. We are pleased that the decision of the VAC has recognized that Manhunt 2 is well within the bounds established by other 18+ rated entertainment."
SPOnG is not convinced that the BBFC is going to let this one slip gently and quietly away, certainly not if its statements today are to be believed:
"The BBFC twice rejected Manhunt 2 for its focus on varied and cumulative killings. We recognize that rejection is a very serious step, in which the desire of publishers to market their games, and that of gamers to buy them, must be balanced against the public interest, including the full range of possible harm risks to vulnerable individuals and to any children who may be wrongly exposed to such games. Such balancing judgements are inevitably complex and multi-faceted, and are made only after very careful consideration of the contents of a work. We played Manhunt 2 for well over 30 hours prior to our decision.
"The Board recognizes that the available research findings on the effects of video games (including positive as well as harmful effects) are varied and contested. But we continue to believe that a broad approach to the possible risks is needed, which goes beyond purely behavioural harm, and which also takes account of other possible effects on the sensibilities and attitudes of individuals."
"The Board recognizes that the available research findings on the effects of video games (including positive as well as harmful effects) are varied and contested. But we continue to believe that a broad approach to the possible risks is needed, which goes beyond purely behavioural harm, and which also takes account of other possible effects on the sensibilities and attitudes of individuals."
To us that reads very much as if the BBFC will be reading the VAC's judgement for any smidgeon of a possibility that the 'controversial' video game can find its way to the High Court. We'll keep you posted.
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Comments
Ethan 10 Dec 2007 20:06
1/6
I think it should be banned. They've clearly gone crazy after playing it for only 30 hours!
Seriously, though, it's a rubbish game, but I want the thing released.
Seriously, though, it's a rubbish game, but I want the thing released.
Ankla 12 Dec 2007 03:28
2/6
do not panic if they don't reales the game in uk since i have the game (i live in usa) and is sh><>?!!!, look horrible, play super wacky and they cut all the real violence part or put like special effect that you can't see what the hell is going on...my advice for those one who still want to get a real good mature game; if you have a Wii buy "No More Heroes"
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Ankla 12 Dec 2007 03:29
3/6
do not panic if they don't reales the game in uk since i have the game (i live in usa) and is sh><>?!!!, look horrible, play super wacky and they cut all the real violence part or put like special effect that you can't see what the hell is going on...my advice for those one who still want to get a real good mature game; if you have a Wii buy "No More Heroes"
TimSpong 12 Dec 2007 10:17
4/6
Ankla wrote:
do not panic if they don't reales the game in uk since i have the game (i live in usa) and is sh><>?!!!, look horrible, play super wacky and they cut all the real violence part or put like special effect that you can't see what the hell is going on...my advice for those one who still want to get a real good mature game; if you have a Wii buy "No More Heroes"
Ta - but I don't think the point at issue here is that we can get the game from the rest of the world. The point is that we can't get the game in the United Kingdom.
The BBFC has overreached itself here. It should work for the people who pay for it (the Gross British public). This means that it should provide guidelines clearly and with concision. It should not be allowed to bar from sale anything that does not actually break any laws.
That's not to say that if a movie, postcard (do they censor postcards or does the market guide this?) or photograph actually contains real criminal acts that they should not be banned. I for one don't want to end up in some cheapo tramp-porn-snuff flick (well, not without a decent dental plan and a bigger trailer than any of the other hoboes).
We are adults and should be allowed to waste our money on rather grim, soul-destroying amusements such as MH2 if we want to.
Cheers
Tim
PreciousRoi 12 Dec 2007 10:56
5/6
Tim, bubulah, don't sell yourself short...insist on some points on the back end...and don't lets forget about the overseas and internet, this is the 21st century...if they get difficult about it, start making noises about 'creative control', then I'll swoop in and get you to 'give in' on that for 'considerations'...my girl will call your girl, don't ever change, you know what I mean, babe...
TimSpong 12 Dec 2007 11:11
6/6
PreciousRoi wrote:
Tim, bubulah, don't sell yourself short...insist on some points on the back end...and don't lets forget about the overseas and internet, this is the 21st century...if they get difficult about it, start making noises about 'creative control', then I'll swoop in and get you to 'give in' on that for 'considerations'...my girl will call your girl, don't ever change, you know what I mean, babe...
Have you been at the disco biscuits (dancehall cookies, or whatever you call them over there?).
A lung un leber oyf der noz, bubele.
Tim