Manhunt 2

For those who keep abreast of gaming news, you will be aware that Manhunt 2 has been banned in the UK by the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) - which gives me some very mixed feelings.

Bear in mind that I never played the original Manhunt nor have I ever played any part of Manhunt 2 (and probably never will now). However, considering the brutality of films like Hostel (both 1 and 2) and Saw, it makes me wonder what kind of content Manhunt 2 could have for the BBFC to ban it. Is the content really that much worse than Hostel? Or is the interactive nature of games the reason that Manhunt 2 got banned?

I've been thinking about this for a while now and although I probably don't know enough about the Manhunt games to give a definitive comment, it seems to me that Manhunt 2 is just being made a scapegoat. Although the BBFC has a history of "supporting" games in the face of criticism, it seems that there is more political pressure on games now more than ever (especially since the "Hot Coffee" incident). And I believe that the BBFC caved into that pressure (and I say this knowing full well the history of the BBFC in terms of how it has "stood up" for the industry in the past by rating games which were highly controversial - this being another reason why I took so long to think about this).

Having said this, were they right to ban the game? In my opinion - they were absolutely wrong to ban it (and I say this knowing full well that I have never seen or played the game).

The game is designed for the same kind of audience as those who enjoy films like Hostel and Saw. By banning this game, instead of just giving it an 18+ rating (or whatever they call it), the BBFC are effectively controlling what kind of entertainment adults are allowed. Even though I have no interest in the Manhunt games, I cannot accept the consequences of such a ruling. In the final analysis, it doesn't matter what kind of game Manhunt is - the fact is that the BBFC are curtailing my freedom of choice as an adult by way of their ruling.

And this is just plain wrong.