Manhunt 2 Ban Upheld by British High Court

A High Court judge in London upheld the ban of Rockstar's Manhunt 2 (PS2, PSP, Wii) in the UK, overturning Rockstar's appeal granted last month, according to ITN.

Last June, Manhunt 2 was denied rating by the British Board of Film Classification, barring it from sale in the UK; a modified version of the game was also rejected in August. A month ago, Rockstar successfully appealed to the Video Appeals Committee, forcing the BBFC to assign a rating to the game.

But the decision passed down by the High Court rules that the VAC's decision was flawed by a "clear error of law," questioning the committee's criteria for what constitutes public harm. The judgment reinstates Manhunt 2's ban, and the VAC has stated that it will reconsider its decision in light of the High Court's ruling.

Manhunt 2 was also denied a North American release following an Adults Only rating issued by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board. A modified version of the game was later assigned a Mature rating, and successfully released on October 30, 2007.