The ESRB, the Entertainment Software Ratings Board, has approved a revised version of RockStar’s most controversial, Manhunt. Instead of an “AO for Adults Only” rating, which games of the rating can not be played on consoles, the revised game got an “M for Mature” rating, which is allowed for play on gaming consoles.
Rockstar has announced that a reworked version of its controversial Manhunt 2 has been granted an M rating by the ESRB. Free of the shackles of its original AO classification, the game is currently scheduled for release in the US on Wii, PS2 and PSP this Halloween, October 31.
Sam Houser, founder and executive producer of Rockstar Games noted of the decision, “Manhunt 2 is important to us, and we’re glad it can finally be appreciated as a gaming experience”. He continued, “We love the horror genre. Manhunt 2 is a powerful piece of interactive story telling that is a unique video game experience. We think horror fans will love it.”
In its original guise, Manhunt 2 was granted an AO rating by the ESRB, meaning that neither Sony or Nintendo would permit the game to appear on its consoles. Meanwhile, Rockstar is currently appealing the British Board of Film Classification’s decision to refuse certification for the game in the UK, effectively banning it from sale in the country.
Rockstar’s UK PR team were unable to comment on the status of the appeal, nor whether we can expect this reworked version of Manhunt 2 to be resubmitted to the BBFC in the near future.
Source: http://www.wii-volution.com
