The story in brief: A tragic murder in the UK was blamed on the game Manhunt. It was promptly taken off retail shelves nationwide, but was later revealed as having no connection to the incident whatsoever.
Of course, after the media blitz, it was deemed necessary to review Manhunt (which had previously succeeded in getting an MA+ rating) again in Australia, and the results are unsurprising...
"THE federal Office of Film And Literature Classification has refused to classify controversial game Manhunt, effectively banning it from sale in Australia."Any existing stocks of this game held by retailers must be removed from the shelves immediately," the Office said in a statement."
Manhunt is also banned in New Zealand.
Meh... the game sucks anyway
I don't in particular care for this title myself either, but to ban a title, and to let it get banned and do nothing, is really disappointing. I mean really, if you are an ill-informed small-minded moron, you can get anything done. I'm sick and tired of the fear mongering of the press, not just here but everywhere. The title was not proven to be motive behind the murder, a drugs related debt was, there is ample research - some done in Australia - that shows there is no link between computer games and youth violence - some evidence out there even leans to there being a drop in youth violence due to games. Yet they continue to demonise games, using them as a scapegoat for the problems of society, instead of choosing to face them. They did this (and still do) with films, music, graphic novels, novels, and computer games are just the new flavour for the ignorant to utilise as means of shifting blame, and for the media to increase their ratings. What is next? Will there be a call for all interactive titles to be mass burned like the book burnings of old?
And another thing, so what if there is violence in the title, I am a fucking adult, I can make up my own mind if I want to play the fucking game or not. The game is rated MA after all, anyone of 15 years of age, unless suffering some kind of mental disability or illness, can tell the difference between reality and fantasy, right from wrong. And if they feel that MA is not enough, then how about they get with the fucking times, realise that the majority of computer game consumers are adults, and initiate a fucking R rating already!
this is bullshit, but i already have the game for pc & ps2 anyway so meh..however i do feel sorry for the ppl who dont have it. if they want it they will have a hard time getting it.
Rockstar are an excellent videogame company with a lot of artistic integrity. Its a shame that videogames are blamed for all of societies problems. CynicalFan I think you're very right. Videogames are actually a catharsis. People who really want the game will simply find other ways to get it though. Sorry, Rockstar. Australia has failed you again.
this will only make more people want to get the game and probably pirate it :0