Manhunt 2’s ‘Adult Only’ rating from the Entertainment Software Rating Board in the United States has seen all three platform holders – Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft – stating that games with this certification will not be published on their hardware.
Does this mean that the game will never see the light of day?
What happens to an AO’d game in this case? SPOnG looked back into history all the way to 1998 and Virgin Interactive’s Thrill Kill.
As you can see from the packshot to the right of this story, Thrill Kill was given an AO rating. However, it never got close to release as Electronic Arts acquired the property as part of its purchase of Virgin – and pulled it from release on the PlayStation.
That appeared to be that. Yet somehow, Thrill Kill code made its way out on to the Internet where it has been picked up by a variety of sites including, for example, Thrill-Kill.com, from which the following description comes:
Maybe, you’re thinking, those were more innocent times, back in 1998. So did we until we looked at the message board and discovered the latest posting was June 5th this year.
Whether Take-Two and Rockstar will be able to re-engineer Manhunt 2 so that it passes certification is still to be seen – and there’s less than a month for them to achieve this.
What is apparent, however, is that despite being branded Adult Only, the world is yet to see any mindless beat-em-up rampages in the streets of the ‘right thinking’ world by teens (let alone adults) seeking Thrill Kills triggered by an AO-rated game.
Reality, eh? Much, much more scary than fiction.
Does this mean that the game will never see the light of day?
What happens to an AO’d game in this case? SPOnG looked back into history all the way to 1998 and Virgin Interactive’s Thrill Kill.
As you can see from the packshot to the right of this story, Thrill Kill was given an AO rating. However, it never got close to release as Electronic Arts acquired the property as part of its purchase of Virgin – and pulled it from release on the PlayStation.
That appeared to be that. Yet somehow, Thrill Kill code made its way out on to the Internet where it has been picked up by a variety of sites including, for example, Thrill-Kill.com, from which the following description comes:
” Thrill Kill was the first four player fighting game for the Playstation, developed by Paradox and published by Virgin Interactive. It was revolutionary at the time for its unique fighting engine and over-the-top violence. However, when Virgin Interactive closed its doors, all rights to their game library was purchased by Electronic Arts. EA deemed the violence and sexual themes as inappropriate for their target audience (family) at the time and decided to shelve this game forever.
Maybe, you’re thinking, those were more innocent times, back in 1998. So did we until we looked at the message board and discovered the latest posting was June 5th this year.
Whether Take-Two and Rockstar will be able to re-engineer Manhunt 2 so that it passes certification is still to be seen – and there’s less than a month for them to achieve this.
What is apparent, however, is that despite being branded Adult Only, the world is yet to see any mindless beat-em-up rampages in the streets of the ‘right thinking’ world by teens (let alone adults) seeking Thrill Kills triggered by an AO-rated game.
Reality, eh? Much, much more scary than fiction.
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Comments
Joji 21 Jun 2007 12:07
1/12
Like I said, on the net anything or one can find an audience, from OAPs moaning or singing, to old games that never saw an official release. This is the result of what bans do and is bound to happen with Manhunt 2, unless the appeal is overturned.
Joji 21 Jun 2007 12:07
2/12
Like I said, on the net anything or one can find an audience, from OAPs moaning or singing, to old games that never saw an official release. This is the result of what bans do and is bound to happen with Manhunt 2, unless the appeal is overturned.
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tyrion 21 Jun 2007 13:00
3/12
Joji wrote:
unless the appeal is overturned.
Surely you mean unless the judgement is overturned on appeal? There hasn't been an appeal yet.
Joji 21 Jun 2007 13:02
4/12
yeah you know what I mean, sorry.
soanso 21 Jun 2007 13:37
5/12
Did sensible software's sedrugsandrockandroll game get banned or did it just never find a release due to sensible's skintness?
Is Thrill Kill any good?
Is Thrill Kill any good?
Joji 21 Jun 2007 13:46
6/12
Played a demo of Thrill Kill, it's not too bad as a game.
TimSpong 21 Jun 2007 13:48
7/12
soanso wrote:
Did sensible software's sedrugsandrockandroll game get banned or did it just never find a release due to sensible's skintness?
I remember talking to Jon Hare about this when I went to Saffron Walden to interview him, to preview Cannon Fodder (and to watch Norwich City vs Bayern Munich with him). Jon was all for Sex 'n' Drugs 'n' Rock 'n' Roll - he, and I must say I, thought it was a honest, forward-thinking, adult game that could actually push the direction of gaming at the time.
Sadly, when the cash problems cut in and GT bought up Sensi', the glory that could have been SnDnRnR was canned.
soanso wrote:
Is Thrill Kill any good?
Don't know, haven't played it.
Joji 21 Jun 2007 14:01
8/12
Unfortunately its only the japanese that have tried sex in games properly with hentai stuff, drug taking we are less likely to see though.
It's funny though, once again, if theatre, book or film was done in the same vein, everyone would but it, go see it and no one would bat an eyelid. Another case of double standards and games can't do it. I think as a growing industry this has to change at some point.
Hey, do you remember Childs Play 2? That was gonna get banned but didn't.
It's funny though, once again, if theatre, book or film was done in the same vein, everyone would but it, go see it and no one would bat an eyelid. Another case of double standards and games can't do it. I think as a growing industry this has to change at some point.
Hey, do you remember Childs Play 2? That was gonna get banned but didn't.
Anon 21 Jun 2007 22:30
9/12
I have Thrill-Kill
soanso 22 Jun 2007 08:52
10/12
Tim Smith wrote:
I remember talking to Jon Hare about this when I went to Saffron Walden to interview him, to preview Cannon Fodder (and to watch Norwich City vs Bayern Munich with him).
Bayern of Munich in Germany in Bayern playing the canaries
Bloody hell that was a long time ago then!!
I always liked how in SWOS Norwich were far better than they actually were.
TimSpong 22 Jun 2007 10:01
11/12
soanso wrote:
Bayern of Munich in Germany in Bayern playing the canaries Bloody hell that was a long time ago then!!
I am the oldest man in the world (or at least the SPOnG office). Norwich City though, worst song ever!
soanso wrote:
I always liked how in SWOS Norwich were far better than they actually were.
Well, if you get to make a cracking game, you get to fnck with the AI. I would. Bristol Rovers would destroy Bristol S**tty in game one of the season... and BCFC('82)'s (Tr)Ashton Gate ground would look like a cathedral scene from Resistance Fall Of Man.
Joji 22 Jun 2007 11:55
12/12
Really, were did you get that from then? I'd like a copy for my collection.