ELSPA has been quick to respond to today’s news that the BBFC has decided to ban sales of Rockstar’s ultraviolent Manhunt 2 in the UK.
"A decision from the BBFC such as this demonstrates that we have a games ratings system in the UK that is effective. It shows it works and works well. Any decision the BBFC takes, it takes on the basis of its remit to rate on screen entertainment,” said Jackson (pictured right, speaking at last year's London Games Summit) in a statement today.
"The games industry is a creative phenomenon that produces all kinds of games across all kinds of genres that appeal to all kinds of people across the country, young and old, male and female. The important thing to know is that all games are rated according to age suitability, with over 70 per cent of games being available to all ages over three years."
We still await comment from Rockstar on the matter. Stay tuned for that shortly.
"A decision from the BBFC such as this demonstrates that we have a games ratings system in the UK that is effective. It shows it works and works well. Any decision the BBFC takes, it takes on the basis of its remit to rate on screen entertainment,” said Jackson (pictured right, speaking at last year's London Games Summit) in a statement today.
"The games industry is a creative phenomenon that produces all kinds of games across all kinds of genres that appeal to all kinds of people across the country, young and old, male and female. The important thing to know is that all games are rated according to age suitability, with over 70 per cent of games being available to all ages over three years."
We still await comment from Rockstar on the matter. Stay tuned for that shortly.
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Comments
actionmonkey 19 Jun 2007 13:06
1/15
Does the ban extend to Jersey (where Play are located) I wonder?
Joji 19 Jun 2007 13:17
2/15
I doubt it extends to Jersey, because that's exactly why Play.com are located in Jersey in the first place. Play.com orirginally used to sell u.s import dvds before they became popular like now.
Its very possible Play.com will respond by not selling it anyway. Best place thing to do would be to look at another PAL region like Germany or Australia. Import it from these because they'd still have english language options.
Its very possible Play.com will respond by not selling it anyway. Best place thing to do would be to look at another PAL region like Germany or Australia. Import it from these because they'd still have english language options.
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James 19 Jun 2007 15:31
3/15
No way germany or austrailia will have this game, I thought we were the only sensible country left.
Pure publicity stunt by the BBFC, based on the controversy and keith vaz's personal hatred of videogames. Rockstar should appeal and get this game back on shelves as soon as, I don't like manhunt but I hate ignorrant censors even more who ban a videogame with crap graphics but let movies like hostel show in cinema, shows a complete non understanding of videogames and a prejudice against interactive entertainment
What next, GTA ban? not only should the BBFC revoke the ban, but apologise for being political pawns and caving to certain media pressure.
Pure publicity stunt by the BBFC, based on the controversy and keith vaz's personal hatred of videogames. Rockstar should appeal and get this game back on shelves as soon as, I don't like manhunt but I hate ignorrant censors even more who ban a videogame with crap graphics but let movies like hostel show in cinema, shows a complete non understanding of videogames and a prejudice against interactive entertainment
What next, GTA ban? not only should the BBFC revoke the ban, but apologise for being political pawns and caving to certain media pressure.
RiseFromYourGrave 19 Jun 2007 20:08
4/15
effective, yes paul jackson. but the effect the bbfc is having on games in this particular occasion is not a good one
crs117 21 Jun 2007 17:00
5/15
RiseFromYourGrave wrote:
effective, yes paul jackson. but the effect the bbfc is having on games in this particular occasion is not a good one
i am halfway wondering if rockstar was using manhunt 2 to see exactly how far they could go before getting an ao rating based off of violence. mh2 is not nearly as big a game as gta iv and perhaps it is worth putting a smaller title on the line to try to figure out exactly where the line is.
we all know that gta iv is going to be one of the most realistic games ever made and if a game that is created mostly with last gen graphics (no offense to wii as i am a huge nintendo supporter), who knows how up in arms people will be with gta iv with how it is currently looking.
-c
DoctorDee 21 Jun 2007 17:11
6/15
Paul Jackson is a sensible man, ELSPA is an august organisation. But censorship is wrong.
How can we, as a society, claim that we have freedom of speech when an organisation that will allow movies like Requiem for a Dream, Irreversible, Trouble Every Day or 9 Songs to be seen can decide to ban a game - the content of which is far less disturbing than any of the above? Especially when that same organisation's research has shown video games to be less engrossing than movies.
If the game is for adults only, then so be it. The failing here is that of retailers and parents to prevent unsuitable content from falling into the hands of minors. For their failing, our freedom is being curtailed. ELSPA is standing up and supporting that curtailing of freedom. They should be ashamed of themselves that. All of us who do not stand up and shout very loudly about it should be ashamed of ourselves too.
How can we, as a society, claim that we have freedom of speech when an organisation that will allow movies like Requiem for a Dream, Irreversible, Trouble Every Day or 9 Songs to be seen can decide to ban a game - the content of which is far less disturbing than any of the above? Especially when that same organisation's research has shown video games to be less engrossing than movies.
If the game is for adults only, then so be it. The failing here is that of retailers and parents to prevent unsuitable content from falling into the hands of minors. For their failing, our freedom is being curtailed. ELSPA is standing up and supporting that curtailing of freedom. They should be ashamed of themselves that. All of us who do not stand up and shout very loudly about it should be ashamed of ourselves too.
YenRug 21 Jun 2007 18:25
7/15
I've actually submitted a petition on the Prime Minister's website; curiously, I have yet to have it approved over 24 hours afterwards...
Here's the text of the petition:
Here's the text of the petition:
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to review the BBFC's refusal to grant a rating to the videogame Manhunt 2
The British Board of Film Classification's (BBFC) remit is to provide a legally controlled rating for materials submitted to it, not to act as a censor; they are, however, permitted to make recommendations to submitters as to edits, or changes, that will assist in securing a desired rating. In the case of this videogame, Manhunt 2, they have refused to grant the product any kind of rating, thus making it impossible to legally purchase it in this country. As an adult, I have the right to choose to watch and interact with whatever materials I deem appropriate, barring where that commits a criminal offence, yet the BBFC have denied me that freedom of choice in this matter. I request that the BBFC be asked to review this case and justify how they feel that they have the right to restrict the rights and choices of lawfully abiding adults.
The British Board of Film Classification's (BBFC) remit is to provide a legally controlled rating for materials submitted to it, not to act as a censor; they are, however, permitted to make recommendations to submitters as to edits, or changes, that will assist in securing a desired rating. In the case of this videogame, Manhunt 2, they have refused to grant the product any kind of rating, thus making it impossible to legally purchase it in this country. As an adult, I have the right to choose to watch and interact with whatever materials I deem appropriate, barring where that commits a criminal offence, yet the BBFC have denied me that freedom of choice in this matter. I request that the BBFC be asked to review this case and justify how they feel that they have the right to restrict the rights and choices of lawfully abiding adults.
zoydwheeler 21 Jun 2007 19:53
8/15
YenRug wrote:
I've actually submitted a petition on the Prime Minister's website; curiously, I have yet to have it approved over 24 hours afterwards...
Good work, I was going to do this, but you've saved me the bother. I'll sign it as soon as it pops up and we should encourage everybody who wants the ban overturned to do the same.
Nice one!
YenRug 21 Jun 2007 21:11
9/15
Well, if it gets approved (and it should, judging by the approval criteria on the website), then this should be the address it shows up on:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/manhunt2bbfc/
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/manhunt2bbfc/
zoydwheeler 22 Jun 2007 06:30
10/15
still can't see it - let us know the direct link as soon as it pops up
YenRug 22 Jun 2007 18:46
11/15
Still no sign of the approval, nor of a rejection... Get the feeling it might be getting ignored on purpose.
zoydwheeler 22 Jun 2007 19:29
12/15
hmmm, either way, someone else I know of has also submitted one - let's just keep our eyes peeled for one to come up over the weekend...
YenRug 25 Jun 2007 18:15
13/15
Looks like your friend's one has beaten mine out:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Manhunt2/
Personally, I think mine sounded a little more reasonable and a little less ranty, but hey. They took their time deciding to let me know, though.
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Manhunt2/
Personally, I think mine sounded a little more reasonable and a little less ranty, but hey. They took their time deciding to let me know, though.
Bob Fossil 25 Jun 2007 18:19
14/15
YenRug wrote:
They took their time deciding to let me know, though.
Bah! That does sound a little ranty and not very well worded.
Did they get back to you and let you know yours was dropped due to this one then?
YenRug 25 Jun 2007 21:00
15/15
Bob Fossil wrote:
YenRug wrote:
They took their time deciding to let me know, though.
Bah! That does sound a little ranty and not very well worded.
Did they get back to you and let you know yours was dropped due to this one then?
Yep, they gave me the link to it in the rejection e-mail that they sent me; left wondering if they sat there trying to figure out which one would be the most easily dismissed, if there are enough signatures. I deliberately tried to make mine sound reasonable, whilst still being indignant.