Manhunt 2 Petition on Prime Minister’s Website

We the undersigned…

Posted by Staff
Manhunt 2 Petition on Prime Minister’s Website
Should you disagree with the BBFC’s recent decision to refuse to offer Rockstar’s Manhunt 2 an 18-certificate - effectively banning the sale of the game to responsible adult gamers - then you can now voice your opinion by signing a petition on the Prime Minister’s website.

While we await further news from Rockstar as to the company’s intentions regarding whether or not to appeal the BBFC’s decision to the Video Appeals Committee, SPOnG urges you to take one minute out of your day to sign the petition on Number 10’s site.

The petition simply reads: "The BBFC have recently refused to rate the videogame "Manhunt 2". As such, adults in this country will never be allowed to play this game. Adults should be allowed to make their own decisions with regard to what videogames they want to play. We all understand that this game is extremely violent and unsuitable for children. As such an 18 rating should have been applied."

All you need to do is head over to the Prime Minister's website and sign the online petition.
Companies:
Games:

Comments

Rolf Schwarz 26 Jun 2007 08:20
1/19
Whereas I may not agree with some or all of the violent content of this game, having not seen it for myself, I feel even stronger against censorship.

While banning will undoubtedly please certain knee-jerk reactionists in the media and the political sphere, all that this ban will achieve is the exact opposite of it's intended result. As happened to often before in such circumstances rather than simply "disappearing" the game will achieve a cult status and will encourage even more people to get hold of it and play it.

Also, as a capable human being I treat others as such and expect to treated likewise in return - hence I object to censorship on principle.

Therefore I agree with the text of the petition: "Adults should be allowed to make their own decisions with regard to what videogames they want to play. We all understand that this game is extremely violent and unsuitable for children. As such an 18 rating should have been applied."

I am aware that once the game is available, even with an 18 rating, younger players may still be able to get hold of it. However, to deal with aspects of what individuals or society may find unplesasant, questionable or outright despicable is not by banning it, but by education.

Banning is not education. Though a ban may be easier to do than a more time and resourse intensive process of education is no substitute for teaching why it is wrong to solve any problems with violence or even simply the enjoyment of violence.
hollywooda 26 Jun 2007 10:56
2/19
I really hope this isn't the start of a huge crack down on so called "violent games" but I still don't understand why MH2 has been picked from the bunch?, I mean have u seen the Darkness!?. haha, it should be up to them to appropriately certify products & then enforce that certification!, not just ban it because that easier & quicker.
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zoydwheeler 26 Jun 2007 11:12
3/19
BAN ALL EVIL FILTH!
Joji 26 Jun 2007 12:21
4/19
Yeah Holly, I've seen it. This again I think goes back to the taking the violence out of context bit, as games like these do follow a storyline, and since both Manhunt 2 and The Darkness have them, I don't see how the BBFC can decide between them. And like Rolf said, bans never do any good.

Still, I'll do the petition thing.
hollywooda 26 Jun 2007 14:05
5/19
On closer inspection of this game..... i begin (only begin) to see where they are coming from.....sort of?....its not so much the content , but how the game is playd with the Wii mote.
were as on the xbox u'd press A to strike with a knife, on the wii you'd thrust the wii mote inwards & slash upwards... that were i think they saw a problem, your the one who makes the killing motions. Just playing devil advocate....
zoydwheeler 26 Jun 2007 15:31
6/19
No, the BBFC banned both PS2 and Wii versions... though strangely no mention of the PSP version (will that somehow slip through the net?!?)

Even so, I do believe that this whole sorry episode bodes really badly for the future of adult-themed games on Nintendo consoles.
Mark Kelly 26 Jun 2007 16:40
7/19
I'm sorry but you have to out this thing into perspective - there are stupid people out there who have not had a particularly good upbringing, children in particular who may be influenced by this material...children are very impressionable - I bet that alot, though not all I admit, of you who object to this ruling do not have kids.
Don't be stupid - leave the damn game alone and buy brain training on the DS.
tyrion 26 Jun 2007 17:44
8/19
Mark Kelly wrote:
I'm sorry but you have to out this thing into perspective - there are stupid people out there who have not had a particularly good upbringing, children in particular who may be influenced by this material...children are very impressionable - I bet that alot, though not all I admit, of you who object to this ruling do not have kids.

You know, there are a load of kids out there that want to drink, smoke and drive cars. So we should ban all three of them, because parents can't be trusted to keep them out of their kids' hands?

Also we should ban porn flicks, skin mags, chick-lit novels, 18-rated movies, 15-rated DVDs, page 3 models, reality TV, action comics, TV news that shows violence, newspapers, bad news in general and hey, why not just ban the hell out of free will too? In fact, has anybody seen Equilibrium? That looks like a great place to live!

Those of you who agree to this ruling that have kids are not paying enough attention to them and want a surrogate child minder.

Those of you who agree with it and don't have kids, what the hell are you thinking?
haritori 26 Jun 2007 18:34
9/19
why dont we ban people who try to ban things, hold on that means we would ban ourselfs by banning those who are banning so we couldnt ban those who are banning and they can still ban but....

im confused

just like tony blair and all these so called do gooders who are looking out for our intrests, funny mr blair but didnt you have something to do with the voilence and murder of thousands of lives in the middle east countries??? funny how that petition to bring our soilders home never went anywhere.
Rascle McPherson 26 Jun 2007 18:42
10/19
Lets be honest. Having had this game banned, we want it more. According to the non gamer types i should be killing zombies, stealing cars, jumping on turtles, eating mushrooms, chasing ghosts, doing ace serves, sawing wood, hula hooping, dancing, scoring winning goals in the FA cup final and racing at full speed.

Seriously, if we're banning this because ALLEDGEDLY a kid died from its result, why not ban Forza 2 for glamorising fast driving. After all, PLENTY more people die from reckless driving than murder.

And why aren't they banning bioshock? After all, you have the choice to kill a child!

Sod it all, an 18 sticker should mean 18. And parents should get off their ass and start being parents. I was never allowed to see these sort of things when i was young. I came into them at the right time and grew up as a reasoned human being. Who are these kids that play GTA on the bus to school on the PSP?!!!

Now, let me have my manhunt 2. I wanna make those characters meet my friend, PAIN!!! (Mr T)
Gaz 27 Jun 2007 08:05
11/19
All too true. By the rule of Sonic the Hedgehog, I should be a gold ring stealing klepto by now.
WIZEE 27 Jun 2007 14:55
12/19
so its ok to own a gun at 16 in the uk, but not a fictional video game that portrays violence, funny it reminds me of political correctness and its very contradictive, either way the decision is final which in simple terms is ridiculous.
TimSpong 27 Jun 2007 17:51
13/19
Isn't it just so affirming that attempts to get gamers taken seriously result in a petition such as this to the PM?

Then some tw@t calling itself "Killbot v2" signs the flipping thing... three steps forward, four steps back...

Cheers

Tim


Smelly 27 Jun 2007 21:31
14/19
What's the url?
TimSpong 28 Jun 2007 08:12
15/19
Smelly wrote:
What's the url?


It's in the story, which can be found here


SLick 89 30 Jun 2007 02:52
16/19
agen its total crap if the prime minister bans this hes no better than tony blair sucking up to bush going to war u know bets millions off peoaple beleve me and its that mothers fault for letting some 1 that young play a 18+ game and its roackstars fault i think not they made the game for adults and adults only a resposable parent would at least watch there child while playin such a game jeez this new game i thik 18+ have id no prob yeah but adults buying a game for some 1 else should be asked quetions bout kids aka 13 year olds and under it aint rockstars fault its the partent for being so iresponable im going to be a dad myself soon but i woodnt let this happen listen to me coause millions off people will agree with me
BiG Pete 30 Jun 2007 03:31
17/19
im in my 50s and i still think this is shocking ive got a son at 18 years old wanting the game and sayin what a waste off time to rock star if it just going to get banned like that it aint fair they should at least give it a trail and see what happens the utter c**ts the bbfc have no idea what it is like to be 18 19 or 20 coause there probalby all 50 60 odds hey im old but still i have say get a grip and get over it
Sam Thomson 9 Oct 2007 13:50
18/19
I am only 18 years of age, and already I have been exposed to some pretty f**ked up things in the world of cinema.

One only needs to look as far as the SAW series, Specifically SAW 2, where in the very first scene, the man has to cut open and remove his own eye so that he can escape the trap.
And in Hostel 1, when the man is melting the womans face with a blowtorch, just for kicks.

I was browsing the ratings recently made by the BBFC, and most of the 18 rated games and films where rated as such because of Strong graphic violence which is nothing more than Manhunt 2 has.

If you played the original Manhunt, then you will be aware that the game enviroment is one of "Kill of be killed". In other Rockstar games such as the Grand Theft Auto series, it is not necessary to kill, people get the choice whether or not to do so. More people in Britain have the choice to kill someone, and anyone (If any) are in a kill or be killed situation, then likely they wont have played Manhunt, as they wouldnt have a games console.

So what will influence someone more? Giving them the choice to kill in a open world enviroment, or putting their character in a live or die situation, which we rarely see in modern society?

I am against cencorship, as countires like the United Kingdom and America are founded on Free Speech. So why is it when the creators of SAW, Hostel, hell, even Trainspotting are allowed to produce works of art which can influence people, Rockstar are penalized?

I have emailed the BBFC asking them this, and am awaiting a response. I cant wait.
a 25 May 2009 19:16
19/19
@Sam_If you are already aware please forgive this intrusion.

Hi this e-mail is to WARN you, your love ones, friends and claques and urge you to sign the ever-growing petition opposing the CODEX ALIMEMTARIUS. (CODE ‘X’) This law plans to ban Vitamins/minerals now or in the further, and make Nutrients in food illegal like HEROIN. All fresh food including organic foods irradiated killing VITAL nutrients. All food, meat etc SPIKED with DEADLY POISONS made legal. Affecting everyone.

Invisible NEW WORLD ORDER global manufacturers through the W.H.O using food as a weapon to kill, proposed as a tread agreement to 120 pluses countries pushed through Europe into the UK (Optimum Population) for implementation on the 31st of December 2009 ‘NEW YEARS EVE!’ “Who’s celebrating?” (Free Masons) ‘It’s Kill the jobs then the Workers.’ This is no joke. We must raise awareness, talk about it!

It’s going through parliament now. Show your courage and distain
PLEASE sign the official on line petition

( http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Vitamins/ )

Any Doubts.
PLEASE WATCH
( Youtube Population Reduction NANP Conference )

Eye opening
( YouTube The Money Masters: who REALLY rules the world )

Petition ends 5th September and time flies.

“Do Not Go Gently”. For Queen, Country and Church.
My, very best regards. (PLEASE mail on)
al.

PS. WARN others as you have been warned and urge them to sign the on line petition opposing the CODE ‘X’, it has to be stopped by our MP’s!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------


e.g. Chloride/Bleach in water is HIGHLY carcinogenic. (Poor children)
HITLER and the Nazi Party first banned smoking!
If you can make the sheep give it up, you can get them to do anything (Holocausts)
(Smoking is still allowed in the bars of the Houses of Parliament.)
No nutrient supplements when in hospital no matter how ill you are.
(Loose your appetite you die!) Reradiated fresh food in shops, Estrogen in plastic, Mercury in fillings, Fluoride in the tooth past, Aspartame should never have been but, all nothing to that, we have YET not seen! Masons big on child abuse and those that let the CODE X lose. Big money in cance
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