Manhunt 2’s sudden and unexpected reclassification by the ESRB in the US has put the controversial title back on track for a Halloween release date. It has also caused a bit of a ruckus across the pond amongst video game opponents who are howling for the ESRB to explain its decision. California State Senator Leland Yee has even called for an investigation into the ratings system and demanded a clarification of exactly which part of the content has been changed for it to receive its Mature rating.

The ESRB is remaining stoically silent in the face of this outcry. I’m guessing there is some kind of legal agreement that prevents the board from divulging information about the exact content of titles submitted for classification (I could be wrong of course) – but whatever the reason, its action is sparking conspiracy theories that Rockstar had planned for an AO rating all along just to generate hype. If that’s true, then it certainly did a brilliant job of it.

And with this brewing controversy in mind, the BBFC is yet to make its own decision on the matter of Manhunt 2. I strongly disagree with censorship, nor do I want us to end up in even more of a nanny state, where we are so unprepared to take responsibility for own actions or those of our children that we are forced to rely on a government entity to control our lives for us. But I’m going to play devils advocate here. I put it to you the readers that Manhunt 2 was rightfully banned and should stay that way, no matter what the changes Rockstar made which swung the ESRB decision.

Unfair? Yes – whether you agree with Rockstar’s statements regarding the games / art debate or not, there is development team behind the title who have created something that has rocked the whole games industry and their work should be acknowledged for that. That said, there is a bigger picture to consider. When the BBFC first came out and refused to grant classification to Manhunt 2 in the UK, that was a proper ban (the ESRB’s AO rating is not actually a ban, it only effectively banned the title from the consoles it was intended for). This sent a clear message to all those who would have us believe that violent game makers are unregulated anarchists who seek only to line their pockets from the profits of making violent games for kids.

Lest you forget, as far as the mainstream media is concerned, games are for kids and therefore even a violent 18 rated game is just another kid’s game that is somewhat harder to sell to its intended audience. To actually ban a game means that the BBFC took a stand, saying there is a limit to which games can go. When that limit is made so publicly it might just encourage those who want to single out video games as a source of society’s problems to take a step back and acknowledge that there are restrictions in place and an organisation that is prepared to enforce them. If not, well, at least it might encourage those reading sensationalist, anti-video game outbursts to put them in a proper context.

The impression I got having spoken to a member of the BBFC at EIF recently, is that Manhunt 2 was going to need a reasonably extensive overhaul to get it approved even for an 18 rating. But even if Rockstar has gone through and nixed all of the graphic violence with a half-baked fade out system or something along those lines, Manhunt 2 is still set to be the first thing anyone thinks of when you mention violent games for years to come.

To allow it a classification of any sort is to merely play into the hands of Rockstar – which stands to make a great deal of money off the hype generated by the banning – and to those activists who will champion it as the prime example of all that is evil and unholy about the video gaming industry. For these reasons reason, for the good of the video gaming industry, the BBFC must stand firm and not allow this deviant filth to pervert our adult minds.

Hmm, all this vitriolic ranting made me feel kind of warm and tingly inside. I must assure you though that these opinions do not represent those of the PSPSPS.tv or Shiny Media, nor the other writers on these blogs, nor even myself particularly. If you think I am wrong (as well you should) or right (hey, it’s your crack man), then why not get your own warm tingly feeling and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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