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High Court orders Manhunt 2 release to be re-evaluated

Gory game to hit the shelves at last?

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The controversial ‘slasher’ videogame Manhunt 2 is to be re-assessed by the UK's Video Appeals Committee (VAC) after the High Court this week judged its decision that the game should be released was legally flawed.

Manhunt2

Rockstar's Manhunt 2: release to be re-evaluated

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) ruled in October 2007 that the game is too violent to be allowed on UK shelves, but developer Rockstar appealed against that verdict.

Reviewing the appeal, the VAC said the game should be given a release in the UK.

However, following a day-long hearing at the English High Court yesterday, Mr Justice Mitting noted that the VAC based its initial decision on the game’s likelihood to cause "devastating harm". He said that the law made no mention of this degree of damage, and that the VAC should therefore reconsider its decision.

A spokeswoman for the BBFC told Register Hardware that it will decide on its next course of action once the VAC has re-assessed the game. “There are adults who could be classed as vulnerable and we’re legally bound to protect them from games like Manhunt 2, as well as children,” she said.

It’s impossible to speculate, at this stage, what the seven-member VAC panel’s second verdict will be. But the original ruling was a close one: When it originally ruled against the BBFC’s ban, the VAC’s decision was based on four people in favour of the game’s UK sale and three against.

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Latest Comments
Anonymous Coward

Re: This game is crap?

Good point, it is just a game.... therefore get over the fact that an officially appointed body sees fit not to certificate it and get on with your life.

You are right, whether it's crap or not isn't the issue. I think the BBFC have taken an considered, intelligent stance over this game, which is more than most of the posters here and elsewhere have taken.

Why are people so upset about not being able to play this game - if it had never existed, would your life be any worse?

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The children! Who will think of them?

If computer games influenced children then my generation would spend their time in darkened rooms, munching pills while listening to repetitive electronic music... oh wait.

borrowed without permission from Markus Brigstocke

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Anonymous Coward

The game is crap?

@ Those people commenting that the ban should go ahead because the game is crap...

That is your own personal opinion and not reason enough to justify banning a game.

Lets be real here people, its just a game... I played the original and I've never been tempted to go out and make my own snuff movie.

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