According to a news release issued earlier from BBC News, the British Board of Film Classification, responsible for rating movies and games, has rejected Rockstar Games' upcoming Manhunt 2 from receiving certification, citing the game's "unrelenting focus on stalking and brutal slaying." It's not the first time a violent game has been banned from distribution in the country, but it's the first in ten years; Carmageddon was barred from distribution, but later overturned on appeal.
BBFC director David Cooke was quoted in the article as saying, "Manhunt 2 is distinguishable from recent high-end video games by its unremitting bleakness and callousness of tone. There is sustained and cumulative casual sadism in the way in which these killings are committed, and encouraged, in the game."
The controversy surrounding the release of the sequel in the United Kingdom is unsurprising, given that first game was blamed for the brutal murder of Leicester 14 year-old Stefan Pakeerah in February 2004, and became a focal point of attack for MP Keith Vaz. According to the BBC News article, Pakeerah's parents were "absolutely elated" at the news of the ban, calling the gaming industry "morally irresponsible." On the other hand, the article also states that police ruled out the game as an inspiration for the murder and cited robbery as the main motive.
A ban for the UK could also bring news of refused classification in other countries such as Germany and Australia, where the classification of games have different standards than in other areas of the world. As of press time, Manhunt 2's ESRB rating is still pending.
