Take-Two Interactive Software's decision to suspend the distribution of another violent video game, Manhunt 2, could make the game even more popular
By Captain Maverick
Jun 26, 2007 03:59 AM GMT
Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. is no stranger to controversy surrounding violent video games as it is also the developer of the Grand Theft Auto series which has been touted by some as a murder simulator. Now Take-Two and Rockstar are in the middle of it again with another considerably violent video game, Manhunt 2. Manhunt 2 is a sequel designed to be a chilling suspense thriller where two test subjects of and evil experiment gone wrong escape. They find themselves pursued relentlessly by the Pickman Project team that will stop at nothing to hunt the pair down and keep the truth from getting out. Naturally this is a very mature subject matter and also labeled as such by the ESRB rating board as it has received an "Adults Only" rating. And now Take-Two has decided to suspend the game's distribution. Originally Manhunt 2 was slated for a July 13th release date but this has been disrupted first by a ban of the title in Britain and then in Ireland, and now it is taking a lot of heat in the United States by numerous anti-violence advocates such as Florida attorney Jack Thompson. Take-Two hence has decided to "review its options" regarding the release of the project. Much of the problem results from the "AO" Adults Only rating. Titles with this rating are not stocked in large retailers such as Wal-Mart, and the three major video game console makers - Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo - do not support AO games for their systems. Of course, all of the publicity surrounding the distribution suspension is actually making the title more popular and is providing it a great deal of free publicity.
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