R* Wins Manhunt Appeal, No BBFC OK Yet

BBFC responds to Kikizo on verdict, sets out options, which include a further appeal to the High Court.

The legal tussle that has kept Manhunt 2 secured away from the British public took another turn this week as Rockstar won an appeal against the British Board for Film Classification.

Manhunt 2 is a violent action game for Wii and PlayStation 2 in which players help an insane asylum inmate escape, pulling off brutal kills in the process.

The game was rejected in June by the BBFC for "its unremitting bleakness and callousness of tone in an overall game context which constantly encourages visceral killing with exceptionally little alleviation or distancing".

Rockstar did make changes to the game but the BBFC in October again rejected it, saying that the changes didn't go far enough.

But in a 4-3 decision this week, the Video Appeals Committee sided with Rockstar, overturning the BBFC's decision to reject the game from classification, a move that effectively banned it from sale in the UK.

Rockstar said in a statement following the verdict that the company is "committed to making great interactive entertainment, while also marketing our products responsibly and supporting an effective rating system".

The company said it was pleased that the VAC had recognized that the game is "well within the bounds established by other 18+ rated entertainment."

But the BBFC isn't giving up yet. Sue Clark, press officer for the BBFC, said that a final decision on classifying the game could only be made after the VAC's report is released later this week.

Clark said that if the text of the verdict shows "cause for concern", the BBFC could seek a judicial review by the High Court to block the release of the game, a process that would go on well into next year.

However, were the BBFC to accept the VAC's verdict, the game could theoretically be classified and given the OK for release.

The BBFC said it would "carefully study the judgement by the Video Appeals Committee when it becomes available" later this week.

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo