Citing Violent Content, Target Pulls 'Manhunt 2' Video Game
The first 'Manhunt' was one of the most brutal games of all time, calling on you to do a raft of icky feeling things to survive, like killing thugs as they plead for their lives, or stabbing broken pieces of glass into the necks of unsuspecting guards. While many look at the 'Grand Theft Auto' series as bad, it doesn't even compare to the level of disturbing behavior in 'Manhunt'.
Recently 'Manhunt 2' made a stir, as it was banned in a number of places due to its excessive violence. A cleaned-up version was finally approved for release, which blurred out the really nasty bits in the same way that 'The Sims' blurs out the naughty bits of your characters while they shower. Now, retailer Target has decided to pull even that cleaned up version from its shelves, since it was recently discovered that it may be possible to get rid of the blur.
As with the 'hot coffee' scandal before, which resulted in the discovery of sexually explicit content in 'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas,' hackers have managed to uncover all that explicit violence that was hidden from the retail release of 'Manhunt 2.' However, unlike the hot coffee hack, this one actually seems to require that the people unlocking the content have a modified version of Sony's PSP to see any of it. In other words, without a lot of work, it's not possible to reveal the extra violence. For this reason the the video game rating board ESRB decided to keep the title's M (Mature) rating made possible by the blur.
Unfortunately, it's not good enough for Target. The discount retailer is pulling the game in all its formats due to the content. It might start a trend like the one that resulted retailers worldwide pulling 'San Andreas.'
Really, though, it doesn't seem like this one's going to get quite the same publicity as the earlier scandal, if only because 'Manhunt' is a relative unknown and even its basic premise is so much more fringe than 'Grand Theft Auto,' which at least had a vague resemblance to movies like Scarface. What does 'Manhunt' resemble -- a snuff film? Who relates to that?.
Regardless, you'd think Rockstar, creators of both games, would have perhaps worked a little harder to lock out the bad stuff this time around, particularly after nearly being driven to bankruptcy after getting badly burned by hot coffee.
From ABC News
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
msfemkitty @ Nov 7th 2007 10:07AM
If they don't want to sell the game that's fine, I respect their decision. It probably won't affect sales any since the people who want it will just buy it somewhere else.
lee scott @ Nov 7th 2007 10:14AM
This video should not be sold by anyone. It's has disgraceful content and should be banned in the U.S. Target did the right thing.
Sarah @ Nov 7th 2007 10:15AM
Good for Target! Finally, a large US company taking a stand against violence. If only more would do this, but sadly, profits are their only passion.
girish @ Nov 7th 2007 10:23AM
Kudo's to Target, other major retailers should follow their lead.
Skyer @ Nov 7th 2007 10:28AM
I totaly agree with Lee Scott
This video should not be sold by anyone. It's has disgraceful content and should be banned in the U.S. Target did the right thing.
Kristina @ Nov 7th 2007 10:30AM
If US retailers asked for IDs when selling the games (which are the very basis for the ratings in the first place), and parents acted responsibily, this would not be news. It would be another form of creative expression. And yes, I'm sorry I don't live in the land of roses and handpuppets where violence doesn't exist.
How many young people are going to see Saw IV? Where are the ushers stopping the ticket sales? I mean, c'mon. Video games are a scapegoat, like professional wrestling, tv and movies. We love excuses in this country!
I'm sorry if I don't believe that it's my job to search out a video game I want to play because people so desperately need policing in this country.
Isabella @ Nov 7th 2007 10:33AM
For once a Giant Corporation did the right thing.I applaud TARGET and respect them for not selling this disgusting excuse for a game.
John F.C. Taylor @ Nov 7th 2007 10:35AM
Violence just for the sake of violence is not right. Still, there are people who need "games"(?) like this. Doesn't matter to me whether any version gets sold or not. I have no interest in it anyway.
whitehudson @ Nov 7th 2007 10:37AM
I don't care for Target because I once worked for them, and they had treated me like a dog only after a month with them. And some of their bizarre products sucks.
At least, it's good to know what kind of violent video games to look for, if I want to play it and I am pretty sure some smaller video game stores would still have them in stock, likely as used games for resale.
Except for two problems, at my age, I don't have all of time to play it and I don't want to be addicted to it 24/7 either anyway.
Ironically, I still have a old XBox that I got for free from somebody last year and I haven't yet buy stuff to go be hooked with it and I don't even know if it do still work either. Never had time or money for it anyway.
Linda @ Nov 7th 2007 10:41AM
Kudos to Target. It seems as though values have gone out the window in this world. Someone in this country needs to stand up and say ENOUGH!
Carol @ Nov 7th 2007 10:42AM
Its up to Target to decide what they will or not sell. However, the comments about the right or wrong of the game are off base. Its a friggin game-- today the shenanigans of the 3 Stooges, slapping each other's head in a vise would draw the same comments. I don't see the attraction to ANY video games-- its a waste of time and makes us even more couch potatoes. But I would never deny those who enjoy them to enjoy. I'm not the moral watchpost -- and neither is anyone else.
vlad bashes your brainz in @ Nov 7th 2007 10:49AM
Target quit being such a damn poo-sea. This game is awesome. Its Rated M so don't sell it to anyone under 18..plain and simple. Card those little mother effers. I have been playing it since saturday afternoon..stopping only to go to sleep and work...I think I am almost done and what a trip its been.The Watchdogs are no effen joke, especially during Ritual Cleansings..holy ess!
Givra @ Nov 7th 2007 10:53AM
To quote from the article: "However, unlike the hot coffee hack, this one actually seems to require that the people unlocking the content have a modified version of Sony's PSP to see any of it. In other words, without a lot of work, it's not possible to reveal the extra violence. For this reason the the video game rating board ESRB decided to keep the title's M (Mature) rating made possible by the blur."
This quote is in part misleading. Rockstar games submitted ALL the content, including the locked content for a rating for the final release of this game, and thus it got an M. Although it is true that to unlock the content, it does require some technical expertise and a Sony PSP version of the game, the game would have received an M regardless. From what I understand the locked content was locked in part so that the game might have a better chance of being published in other locales too.
I'm not saying that this game should be sold to children, and if Target wishes to not sell it that's their choice of course. But, I'd like to know what violent form of modern entertainment influenced let's say a Billy the Kid, who lived and died in the 19th century, to name one of many examples. Enviroment may have some factor, sure. But much of such I feel is the person themselves. Or to put it another way, did some huge rash of murders and killings happen when Manhunt I came out? Not that I remember.
I do think the authors of this blog need to get off of their high horse. We know you don't approve of this game. I don't play console games, but if it was made for the PC I don't know if I'd play it either. But I don't think it's publication will cause a rash of murders and mayhem. Oh well, some people need to crusade just to feel important and noteworthy
MDMAN97 @ Nov 7th 2007 10:54AM
I work for TARGET and I for one am VERY PLEASED to see that TARGET has pulled MANHUNT 2 they should also pull games like GRANDTHEFT AUTO and violent games like that. In the Place of all these VIOLENT games should be games from gameshows like DEAL or NO DEAL or Jepordy and so on and so forth
vlad bashes your brainz in @ Nov 7th 2007 10:54AM
Banning a game in the US is against the 1st Ammendement....Freedom of Free Speech. I am glad that the UK banned it because this proves why we left their a$$e$ back in the 1600's.
jperdue @ Nov 7th 2007 10:57AM
Thank you Target! Now take some more of the violent games off the shelves. I'll shop Target before others that profit from violence.
cathy @ Nov 7th 2007 11:08AM
best news i've heard all week
whalenyankee @ Nov 7th 2007 11:18AM
Target is not supposed to have morals, it's just supposed to feed the demonic blood lust of USA!
How is the next generation going to learn to bully the world around without more violent training from the dark side?
Josh @ Nov 7th 2007 11:27AM
This is absolutely ridiculous. It's made for adults! Hence the MATURE rating! You have to be 17 to buy it. Have any of you seen Saw IV? That movie is as brutal as it gets, and how old do you have to be to see that? 17! Don't start about the lazy retailers that sell to kids, because the same thing happens at the movies. Movie violence is far more realistic and usually more brutal and emotionally charged, but I don't see any retailers boycotting the sale of a movie. This is really unfair to the gaming industry and none of you seem to get it. Games don't influence violence any more than movies, And until all of you get this through your thick skulls, This form of art will always carry an unconstitutional censorship. That is a direct result of lazy parents who don't pay attention to what their kids do. They just sit them down and let television raise their children for them. What do they expect?
Linda Mangum @ Nov 7th 2007 11:30AM
Thank you Target, finally someone with brains that can tell right from wrong.
If everyone one would take a stand against these types of violent things they putting the hands of our children there is no telling what good could happen.
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you