|
Revised Manhunt 2 Not Eligible For Rating: BBFC |
|
|
|
Written by Chandan Das
|
|
Wednesday, 10 October 2007 |
|
The British censors have rejected a new version of computer game Manhunt 2, the predecessor of which allegedly inspired the murder of a 14-year-old boy Stefan Pakeerah. The video game that has come under the scanner for ‘promoting reckless violence’ was banned by censors in June, as the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) said it "constantly encourages visceral killing" and are still not satisfied.
Manhunt 1 was attacked by Stefan Pakeerah's parents, after he was fatally stabbed in Leicester in February 2004. But police had said that there was no evidence his killer was inspired by the game. Nevertheless, it was banned by censors in June, who said it "constantly encourages visceral killing" and are still not satisfied.
Manhunt 2 was the first video game in a decade to be refused classification, when it was first considered earlier this year. Even though Rockstar had proposed an amended version by toning down the violence in Manhunt 2 video game, British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) director David Cooke said that "We do not consider that these (changes) go far enough to address our concerns about the original version.” He further said that the impact of the revisions on the drabness and cruelty of tone, or the essential nature of the game play, is clearly insufficient.
It was, however, not immediately clear what content in the revised version remained too violent for the BBFC to reverse its decision, but Rockstar has vowed to appeal the decision.
In a response to the BBFC, Rockstar said the agency's decision was a "setback for video games," adding that video game players themselves should have the opportunity to decide whether the game is too violent.
The revised edition garnered an M rating in the United States by way of the ESRB just in time for Halloween; the British Board of Film Classification in UK has found that the game is still not suitable for release. Earlier the ESRB had given it an AO (Adults Only) rating prompting leading games consoles to abandon it.
Meanwhile, Stefan Pakeerah's parents believed their son's killer, 17-year-old Warren LeBlanc, was inspired by the game, although police said there was no evidence that Manhunt had played a part in the murder.
|
