As you should know, we have been covering the BBFC’s ban of Manhunt 2 for the past year, from the original decision, to Rockstar’s appeal, and the BBFC’s counter. Well, it seems that freedom of expression has won out, as the BBFC has today lost in its attempts to keep Manhunt 2 from store shelves. The BBFC, in its own words, has “no alternative” but to give the game an 18 rating.
After a nine month battle, which saw the BBFC take its decision to the High Court in an attempt to keep this title away from sensitive British eyes, the Video Appeals Committee has upheld its decision to have the game rated and made available, scoring one for civil liberty.
I don’t think this game looks good at all, and I have no strong urge to play it, but it should always have been my choice, not some faceless clique’s. Now I will have the option to look at Manhunt 2 on a store shelf and say “this game looks rubbish, do not want.”
The BBFC always tried to claim this game would present “considerable harm” to society, but thanks to its own brand of controversy, Manhunt 2 is guaranteed to have more promotion and sales than it would have if the BBFC had just taken the barbed wire out of its minge and rated it. I fully expect the inevitable slew of scaremongering and calls for further banning from mainstream press to do the same for Rockstar’s title. The sad thing is, Manhunt doesn’t even deserve that kind of promotion.
[Thanks, Fanfaz]
