| GameBump | http://www.gamebump.com Video gaming news blog. en-us Copyright 2006-2008 Gaming Horizon BBFC Fights Back, Defends Manhunt 2 Ban Shiva Stella http://www.gamebump.com/go/bbfc_fights_back_defends_manhunt_2_ban http://www.gamebump.com/go/bbfc_fights_back_defends_manhunt_2_ban http://www.gamebump.com/go/bbfc_fights_back_defends_manhunt_2_ban# Following Rockstar's ranting at the BBFC Monday, the panel has issued its own statements defending its original decision to ban Manhunt 2.

Andrew Caldecott, representing the BBFC, has remarked: "In a Utopian society, you would have effective measures where the over-18s could play what was suitable for them without being cluttered by the fact minors will see them. But you can't make classification decisions without regard to the social prevalence."

Caldecott then turned his attention to differentiating between film and video game mediums.

Film is a different medium; it is simply a different experience. There are ways in which it is perhaps more involving, because you are dealing with absolute reality, with real people, in film.

On the other hand, many people watch horror films to some extent from the point of view of the victim, or the point of view of what's going to happen - not with [Manhunt 2's] very distinctive point of view of being the person who's wielding the weapon, and is rewarded for killing in the bloodiest way possible.

Apparently the message is that the BBFC is willing to let a violent film, such as Hostel or Saw, through while a violent game is pushing the limit, as (according to Caldecott) a violent game is much more likely to be experienced by a minor than a violent film (read: censorship floodgates now open; prepare for debate).

The BBFC is now promising that a certification decision will be made promptly.

]]> Tue, 27 Nov 2007 12:43:26 -0600 Rockstar Pissed Off at BBFC's Rejection of Manhunt 2 Shiva Stella http://www.gamebump.com/go/rockstar_pissed_off_at_bbfcs_rejection_of_manhunt_2 http://www.gamebump.com/go/rockstar_pissed_off_at_bbfcs_rejection_of_manhunt_2 http://www.gamebump.com/go/rockstar_pissed_off_at_bbfcs_rejection_of_manhunt_2# I suspect it must suck if you're a member of the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) today, as Rockstar and the BBFC have engaged in a heated discussion regarding Manhunt 2 and the BBFC's refusal to certify the title - allowing it to release to gamers in the UK - at Rockstar's appeal of the decision.

Eurogamer has the full scoop and details Rockstar's defense of the BBFC's rejection of Manhunt 2 as delivered by Geoffrey Robertson, who suggested that the BBFC be renamed to the "British Board of Videogame Censors" (oh, snap).

Stated Robertson, "There's no evidence that playing interactive videogames leads to a propensity to act them out in real life. We wonder why Manhunt 2 has been singled out for special treatment."

He continued, addressing the Video Appeals Committee, "There you are, seven of you - not one of you has experienced, I'm told by the chairman, computer games, or are a gamer." In response one member of the panel did admit to having played computer games before and the panel did acknowledge that they had played Manhunt 2 (I'm curious as to if one of them has killed anybody yet).

Robertson concluded, "We [Rockstar] say [Manhunt 2] has been banned not because of any likelihood it will harm gamers, but because of the likelihood it will harm the reputation of the BBFC."

I must say, though, that Rockstar can't be surprised at the BBFC's rejection, as the ESRB had reacted to the material in almost similar fashion, at first rating the title Adults-Only until Rockstar made some "adjustments" for a Mature rating. You can read up on Manhunt 2 here.



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