Rockstar’s publisher, Take Two Interactive, has just officially revealed that Manhunt 2 for the Wii and PS2 will – or at least is currently scheduled to – carry an AO (adults only) rating when it is released in North America this July.
The ESRB has issued an initial rating of AO (Adults Only) for Manhunt 2.
We believe the process of rating videogames is to help people make informed entertainment choices and not to limit them.
Manhunt 2 was created for mature audiences and we strongly believe it should receive an M (Mature) rating, aligning it with similar content created in other forms of media. We are exploring our options with regard to the rating of Manhunt 2.
Many large retail chains in North America are known to simply refuse to carry AO games in their stores. If Take Two is unable to get the rating changed, Manhunt 2 will surely take a hit in sales. The game, however, should still be available in smaller video game shops.
Now we know that politics had no influence on the BBFC decision. While a letter from the CCFC probably had no influence this late in the process, it remains on every American gamer’s mind whether or not He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named had any influence at all on this process. After all, it’s known that he and Take Two’s new head honcho have had secret meetings as of recent.
