Rockstar Games parent company Take-Two Interactive has "temporarily suspended" the release of its controversial game Manhunt 2 (PS2, Wii, PSP), which this week was Rated "Adults Only" by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board. The game will no longer ship July 10 as originally planned; a new release projection has not been given. In a statement issued today, Take-Two expressed its confidence in the game, which but did not give any indication as to its planned course of action. "We continue to stand behind this extraordinary game," reads the statement. "We believe in freedom of creative expression, as well as responsible marketing, both of which are essential to our business of making great entertainment." The rating refusal on the part of the BBFC effectively bans Manhunt 2 from sale entirely in the UK. The ESRB's AO rating does not legally preclude the game from being sold, but serves as de facto retail death, with console companies Sony and Nintendo forbidding AO-rated games on their systems and major retailers refusing to sell AO-rated products. Take-Two is expected to appeal the ESRB's decision or resubmit a modified version of the game for reclassification.

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Console manufacturers Sony and Nintendo have stated their intention not to allow publication of Manhunt 2 on their systems in its current state, following the "Adults Only" rating assigned to the game yesterday by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board. Refusal to certify AO-rated games is standard policy for both manufacturers; though the game was not developed for Xbox or Xbox 360, Microsoft has similar guidelines. Manhunt 2 was developed by Rockstar Toronto for Wii, Rockstar London for PlayStation 2, and Rockstar Leeds for PSP. It was originally scheduled for a July 10 release in North America. In a statement issued to GameSpot, a Sony representative said, "It's currently our policy not to allow the playback of AO-rated content on our systems." "Games made for Nintendo systems enjoy a broad variety of styles, genres and ratings... As with books, television and movies, different content is meant for different audiences," said a Nintendo representative in a statement. "As stated on Nintendo.com, Nintendo does not allow any AO-rated content on its systems." When contacted by Shacknews, Nintendo offered the same response. The ESRB rating came on the heels of the British Board of Film Classification denying a rating to Manhunt 2 in the UK, blocking the game from sale. While ESRB ratings have no legal authority, major retailers generally do not stock AO-rated products. It is likely Rockstar will appeal the ESRB's decision, or modify the game and submit it for reclassification.

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It is unfortunate to see the action taken today regarding Manhunt 2 by the BBFC in the UK and the ESRB in North America. As for the ESRB, that kind of action really seems like a vote of no confidence in its own system; after all, if the system is doing its jobs, only people of the appropriate age--or people whose parents have consented to their playing such games--will be playing the game to begin with. Or does that one year of age, from Mature's 17 to Adults Only's 18 really make such a difference? In the case of the BBFC, whose refusal to rate the game has blocked it from sale entirely, it is even more worrisome--do we really have any evidence that the release of such a game would engender "unjustifiable harm risks, to both adults and minors," as director David Cooke explains? That is a bold claim. As for today's briefs, we're seeing new maps for Command & Conquer 3 on Xbox Live, a tournament for Resistance: Fall of Man on PS3, the massively multiplayer Saga going into open beta, and Halo 3 achievements revealed.

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The Entertainment Software Ratings board, which assigns content ratings to games in North America, has rated the brutal horror sequel Manhunt 2 "Adults Only." Though there are no legal ramifications involved with such a move, most brick-and-mortar retailers voluntarily refuse to stock AO-rated products. Today's announcement comes just hours after the British Board of Film Classification refused to rate Manhunt 2, barring the game from sale in the UK. Manhunt 2 is being developed by Rockstar Toronto for Wii, Rockstar London for PlayStation 2, and Rockstar Leeds for PSP. It has been announced as launching in North America on July 10, though the AO rating may affect release plans. Take-Two Interactive, parent of Rockstar Games, has expressed its dismay at the news. "We believe the process of rating videogames is to help people make informed entertainment choices and not to limit them," the company said in a statement. It is currently considering its options in the matter. The ESRB makes Manhunt 2 the second game from publisher Rockstar Games to be deemed suitable only for adults by the ESRB, after the organization reclassified the "Mature"-rated Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (PS2, Xbox, PC) to AO following the discovery of its "Hot Coffee" sex-oriented minigame. Rockstar reissued the game with the offending material removed, at which point the game regained its M rating.

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The British Board of Film Classification has refused to rate the upcoming horror sequel Manhunt 2, in development by Rockstar Toronto for Wii, Rockstar London for PlayStation 2, and Rockstar Leeds for PSP. Without a BBFC rating, the game may not be sold within the United Kingdom. Today's ruling applies to the Wii and PlayStation 2 versions; the PSP version has not yet been submitted for classification. "Rejecting a work is a very serious action and one which we do not take lightly," said BBFC director David Cooke. "Manhunt 2 is distinguishable from recent high-end video games by its unremitting bleakness and callousness of tone in an overall game context which constantly encourages visceral killing with exceptionally little alleviation or distancing. There is sustained and cumulative casual sadism in the way in which these killings are committed, and encouraged, in the game." Manhunt 2 has generated a considerable amount of controvery for its level of violence. Among the game's detractors is ever-present gaming crusader Jack Thompson. Rockstar North's original Manhunt (PS2, Xbox, PC) saw similar criticisms, though the Wii version of the followup has taken heavier fire for its control methods; it uses the motion-sensing Wii remote to simulate the wielding of physical weapons. The game has been received favorably by the gaming press in pre-release play sessions. Manhunt was rated "18" by the BBFC, though in his statements today Cooke noted that it was "already at the very top end" of that category's acceptable violence levels. He explained that Manhunt 2 crosses the line into unrated territory for its sheer uncompromising attitude towards violence and brutality as well as its unwillingness to allow the player not to participate in its virtual violent acts. "The Board's carefully considered view is that to issue a certificate to Manhunt 2, on either platform, would involve a range of unjustifiable harm risks, to both adults and minors," Cooke continued, "and accordingly that its availability, even if statutorily confined to adults, would be unacceptable to the public." The rejection of Manhunt 2 marks the first time the BBFC has refused to rate a game since Stainless Games' kill-happy 1997 PC racer Carmageddon. That decision was appealed after publisher SCi issued a patch modifying certain aspects of the game, such as the color of its in-game blood, and adding a parental age lock. Wii features its own system-wide parental controls. Publisher Rockstar Games has six weeks to appeal the decision, or it may resubmit an altered version of the game for reclassification. Manhunt 2 is due for release in North America next month. The Entertainment Software Ratings Board has not yet released its content rating for the game. Update: The ESRB has announced that Manhunt 2 has been rated "Adults Only" in North America.

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Tomb Raider: Anniversary, Crystal Dynamics' well-received revamped take on Core Design's original hit action/adventure game Tomb Raider, may be coming to Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade as a series of individually downloadable episodes. The official website of the Entertainment Software Ratings Board, which lists content-rated games set for release in North America and which often reveals the existence of officially unannounced games, lists five distinct Tomb Raider: Anniversary products, all with Xbox 360 as their target platform. They are subtitled Peru, Lost City, Greece, Egypt, and Croft Manor--the major locations that form Anniversary's campaign. There is no indication on the ESRB's site as to whether the five games would be released sequentially or simultaneously. Publisher Eidos released Tomb Raider: Anniversary for PlayStation 2 and PC this week, and plans to follow up with Wii and PSP releases later this month. The game has not been officially announced for any other platforms. Shacknews has contacted Eidos representatives for comment on the matter.

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The Entertainment Software Ratings Board today announced a new effort to educate consumers on its rating system that will see the distribution of informational signs to retailers across the country. Ten thousand independent and small chain retailers will be receiving the signs, which are intended to alert customers of the ESRB's stance on the sale or rental of Mature-rated video games to minors. "OK To Play? Check the ratings," the signs read, along with a notice that the retailer may require a photo ID from customers before allowing the purchase of M-rated titles. The notices will be distributed inside the May 28th issue of IngramÂ’s Entertainment Preview magazine. The campaign coincides with the Entertainment Merchants Association's newly announced "Entertainment Ratings & Labeling Awareness Month," which will extend through the month of June. "Indie retailers are a vibrant and significant part of the video game market, tending to offer a neighborhood environment that endears them to their customers," said Bob Geistman of Ingram Entertainment, who has written a letter in support of the ESRB that will accompany the materials. "Providing this signage to these thousands of stores will undoubtedly help foster that unique and personal relationship by enabling stores to offer their customers information that is vital to the way they buy and rent games." The ESRB recently began the practice of hiring full-time employees in an effort to increase the organization's effectiveness in the face of increasing pressure from lawmakers to regulate the industry. Shortly after that announcement, the Federal Trade Commission issued a report in April that found the ESRB ratings scale to be more effective than ever. The study claimed that 87% of parents were aware of the ESRB rating system, and that over 70% used it when deciding to purchase a game for their children.

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A new piece of legislation concerning the sale of violent video games may replace the bill that cleared the New York State Senate and was passed on to the New York State Assembly last week, GamePolitics reports. Proposed by the New York State Assembly's Joseph Lentol (pictured left), the new bill imposes stricter penalties for those that violate its terms and makes the distribution of "violent and indecent video games to minors" a class E felony--a distinction New York also applies to the placement of a false bomb or hazardous substance, incest, and child abandonment. According to New York penal law, class E felonies are punishable by a maximum sentence up to four years in jail. Specifically, the bill would make it illegal to sell or loan any game containing "depraved violence and indecent images" to a minor in New York. The bill defines "depraved violence" as "any photographic, photo-realistic or similar visual representation or image depicting the rape, dismemberment, physical torture, mutilation or evisceration of a human being" and outlines the criteria for indecent imagery as "any photographic, photo-realistic or similar visual representation or image of a person or portion of the human body which depicts nudity, sexual conduct or sado-masochistic abuse and which is harmful to minors." Interestingly, the bill does not mention any efforts to label such games as indecent nor does it outlaw the sale of any game carrying a specific ESRB rating to minors. However, the legislation does mandate that new video game consoles must include a system through which users can prevent the play of a game based off its ESRB rating--a feature the current crop of consoles already contain. Much like last week's proposal by New York senator Andrew Lanza, the new bill calls for the formation of an Advisory Council on Interactive Media and Youth Violence, which would investigate the effectiveness of and suggest improvements for the ESRB's current rating system as well as study the potential side effects of playing violent video game. To become state policy, Lentol's proposed legislation must first be approved by the New York State Senate and cleared by the New York State Assembly before New York governor Eliot Spitzer has the option to sign it into law.

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The New York State Senate has approved legislation designed to limit the sale and availability of violent video games to children. With the bill approved by the New York State Senate, it will now be passed on to the State Assembly. If the bill is cleared by the Assembly, governor Eliot Spitzer will then decide whether to sign it into state law. Introduced by New York senator Andrew Lanza (pictured left), the bill mandates that all video games carry a rating label on their cover, an effort voluntarily standardized through the Entertainment Software Ratings Board's popular and widely accepted rating system. In fact, most major retailers refuse to stock a game unless it carries an ESRB rating label. Any retailer caught selling unrated video games would be fined, with those fees funding a Parent Teacher Anti-Violence Awareness Program meant to promote the awareness of video game ratings. The bill also calls for the formation of an Advisory Council on Interactive Media and Youth Violence, which would investigate the effectiveness of the ESRB's rating system and make suggestions to better it--something the Federal Trade Commission already does. "The recent release of 'V-Tech Massacre,' a sick game which exploits the Virginia Tech University tragedy, is a painful reminder of the culture of violence which has severe consequences on our youth and society," claimed Lanza. Actually titled V-Tech Rampage, the free Flash game was created by Ryan Lambourn of Sydney, Australia and is available solely on the internet. It has drawn almost universal criticism for its tasteless recreation of the recent Virginia Tech shootings. Lanza previously grouped the game with Grand Theft Auto IV, calling the subject matter of the two games off-limits. V-Tech Rampage was not submitted to the ESRB for rating. "The emotions and behaviors of our children are far too often shaped by the virtual reality of violent movies and video games," Lanza continued. "It is imperative that we find a way to prevent these virtual realities from continuing to fuel and teach the violent behavior which is corrupting our youth. My bill will provide parents with important information about violent video games so they are better able to make informed decisions."

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The United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana has ordered the state to reimburse the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) its $91,000 spent protesting a Louisiana law that prohibited the sale of violent video games to minors. Following the ESA's legal challenge, the law, House Bill No. 1381, was deemed unconstitutional. House Bill No. 1381 was written by Louisiana Rep. Roy Burrell (D) (pictured left) and signed into law by Louisiana governor Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco (D) on June 15, 2006. It prohibited the sale of any video game to a minor that "the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find...appeals to the minor's morbid interest in violence," "depicts violence in a manner patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community with respect to what is suitable for minors," or "lacks serious literacy, artistic, political or scientific value for minors." Any retailer caught violating the bill's broad criteria would have been punished by a fine of $100-$2000, a year in jail, or a combination of both. "This Court is dumbfounded that the Attorney General and the State are in the position of having to pay taxpayer money as attorney's fees and costs in this lawsuit," wrote Judge James J. Brady in his ruling of the reimbursement. "The Court wonders why nobody objected to the enactment of this statute. In this court's view, the taxpayers deserve more from their elected officials." The bill, which appears to be modeled on similar bills proposed in Utah and Oklahoma, makes no mention whatsoever of the Entertainment Software Ratings Board's game rating scale. This contrasts with Michigan Rep. Fred Upton's (R) Video Game Decency Act, which focuses entirely on enforcing established ratings systems such as the ESRB. "It's unfortunate the [sic] some officials continue to believe that unconstitutional laws are the answer, when time and time again courts have thrown out these bills and proven them to be a waste of taxpayers' dollars," said ESA senior VP and general counsel Gail Markels. "It couldn't be clearer that the real answer is not regulation, but education of parents to empower them to use the video game rating system, parental controls in game consoles, and other available tools. We look forward to working with any elected official to help educate parents about making appropriate video games choices for their unique families." Last week, the Federal Trade Commission declared the ESRB's ratings more effective than ever, with 87% of parents aware of the system and 70% using it regularly.

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The Entertainment Software Rating Board's (ESRB) game ratings scale is now more effective than ever thanks to growing retailer participation and parental awareness, a new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) report indicates. Through a mystery shopper program, the FTC found that 42% of unaccompanied children were able to purchase an M-rated game, a significant drop from 85% in 2000 and 69% in 2003 but unchanged from last year. Figures from this and last year bring game retailers in line with movie theaters, which in the FTC's tests allowed only 39% of minors to purchase tickets to R-rated films. Gaming retailers showed significantly better results than movie retailers, however, which allowed 71% of minors to purchase R-rated films on DVD. Additionally, 87% of parents were aware of the ESRB rating system and over 70% claim to use it when their children want to play a game. Despite the high figures, many of those polled believe the system is not as effective at communicating violence levels as it could be. To further increase the effectiveness of the ESRB ratings, the FTC suggests content descriptors be relocated from the back of a game box to the front. The report also questions the ESRB's limited enforcement of a policy that prevents M-rated games from advertising on a web site if 45% or more of its reader demographic is under 17. Chris Remo contributed to this story.

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Ask Turbine #6 on WarCry offers the latest Lord of the Rings Online Q&A. The article format interview touches on allowing US and EU players to play together, gold farming operations and item sales, the ESRB rating and the game's cinematic intro movie.

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The Entertainment Software Ratings Board, which serves the video game industry in rating game content, has been a target in various controversies in recent years, with certain politicians and other public figures claiming that the organization is not effective enough in its ratings practices. Numerous attempts (none of which have actually succeeded) have also been made to allow state or federal government to enforce age limits in purchasing video games. Perhaps seeking to strengthen its justification for keeping video games a self-regulating industry, it appears that the ESRB will be changing its current ratings pratices, using full time rather than part time employees to evaluate games. A job listing posted on the website GamerDad this week reveals that the ESRB is looking for New York City-area applicants to take on a full time rating position. Candidates are expected to have familiarity with video games, strong verbal and written communication skills, and experience with children. The organization issued the following statement explaining its plans:

After months of careful consideration, the ESRB will be switching from part-time to full-time raters in April 2007.

Having full-time raters will allow for each one to have greater experience actually reviewing content and recommending ratings, given the increased amount of time each one would spend doing it. This would provide each rater with a greater sense of historical parity for ratings, not to mention helping them to be more attuned to pertinent content and how it should be considered from a ratings standpoint.

The full-time raters would also be responsible for play-testing final versions of the game, time-permitting, which would allow for ESRB to play-test a greater number of games than it currently does. WeÂ’ll have more information available about these changes at a later date.

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Indiana's Senate Economic Development and Technology Committee has approved a bill aiming to legally restrict sales of video games featuring explicit content, the Indianapolis Star reported today. Authored by Republican state senator David C. Ford and Democratic state senator Vi Simpson, the bill was passed 5-2 in committee by three Democrats and two Republicans. It would impose a $1000 fine on those who sell or rent M-rated video games to minors. "You become the character, for better or for worse," said Simpson on video games, pointing out the seemingly age-old video game tradition of "kicking (a prostitute) out of a car and then beating her to death." She added, "If you think (children) are not playing these games because there's an 'M' on the box, you're badly mistaken." Industry trade organizations such as the Entertainment Software Association and Entertainment Merchants Association opposed the bill. Currently, ESRB content ratings are voluntarily enforced by retailers, similarly to MPAA ratings in the film industry. Various attempts have been made to enforce the ratings by law, though such measures have typically been struck down on constitutional grounds. This current bill is currently on track to continue on to the full Indiana Senate for voting.

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