Site Meter 1P Start » Blog Archive » ESRB sez… Manhunt 2 stays M for Mature!

ESRB sez… Manhunt 2 stays M for Mature!

by JW

A few days ago it was discovered that, by hacking into the PSP version of Manhunt 2, you could remove the pesky censorship and play Manhunt 2 as it was originally intended: chock full o’ guts! Naturally, this had people scared out of their wits that the ESRB would pull a… well, an ESRB, and re-rate Manhunt 2 like they had with Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion before it.

Not to fear, the ESRB is laying off the banhammer. For now. In a conference call with all the big gaming news organizations that I didn’t attend simply because I was busy reviewing a producting, ESRB el presidente Patricia Vance stated that due to the nature of the hack, the ESRB had no plans to return Manhunt 2 to its original rating of AO. The ESRB believes that Rockstar disclosed every piece of pertinent content to the review organization, and went on to remind parents that they can’t regulate mods and hacks.

What parents, and indeed all consumers, need to be aware of is that computer software and hardware devices are susceptible to unauthorized modification. Parents should be cognizant of whether or not their children are engaging in unauthorized modification of their games, consoles or handhelds, as those modifications can change game content in ways that may be inconsistent with the assigned ESRB rating.

Glad to hear that the ESRB is sitting this one out, even if it does seem slightly hypocritical that they allow this hack to go, but a similar hack (Hot Coffee) brought down everything but the literal hand of God. To me, it’s just more proof that violence is more accepted than sex in this culture.

Press Release after the break.

ESRB STATEMENT REGARDING INVESTIGATION INTO MANHUNT 2

Manhunt 2 was rated Mature by the ESRB for ages 17 and older for Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content and Use of Drugs.

Earlier this week we learned about a hack into the code of the PSP and PS2 versions of the game that removes special effects filters that were put in place to obscure certain violent depictions. We have investigated the matter and concluded that unauthorized versions of the game have been released on the Internet along with instructions on how to modify the code to remove the special effects. Once numerous changes to the game’s code have been made and other unauthorized software programs have been downloaded to the hardware device which circumvent security controls that prevent unauthorized games from being played on that hardware, a player can view unobscured versions of certain violent acts in the game. Contrary to some reports, however, we do not believe these modifications fully restore the product to the version that originally received an AO rating, nor is this a matter of unlocking content.

Our investigation indicates that the game’s publisher disclosed to the ESRB all pertinent content in the authorized Mature-rated version of Manhunt 2 now available in stores, and complied with our guidelines on full disclosure of content.

What parents, and indeed all consumers, need to be aware of is that computer software and hardware devices are susceptible to unauthorized modification. Parents should be cognizant of whether or not their children are engaging in unauthorized modification of their games, consoles or handhelds, as those modifications can change game content in ways that may be inconsistent with the assigned ESRB rating. That being said, the vast majority of consumers have not made the unauthorized modifications to their hardware necessary to view the content at issue.

ESRB president Patricia Vance said:
“Manhunt 2’s rating makes it unmistakable that the game is intended for an older audience. The unauthorized hacking into the code of this game doesn’t change that basic fact.

“Parents need to be vigilant about monitoring what their children are downloading on the Internet and ensure that they are not making unauthorized and oftentimes illegal modifications to software and hardware that remove the controls the industry has so diligently put in place for their own protection.”

Did You Enjoy this Post? Subscribe to 1P Start. It's Free!

Leave a Reply

Comment moderation is enabled. Your comment may take some time to appear.


About 1P Start

1PStart.com is your ultimate resource in knowing all things gaming. Whatever your choice in console, we're sure to cover it. Along with exciting contests, reviews, previews, trailers and screenshots, 1P Start has got it all! So make sure to hit 1P Start!

1P Start Author(s)
    » Paul
    » Steve-Shickles

Blogging Flair

Join Now Tell Em 1PStart Sent Ya Join Now Tell Em 1PStart Sent Ya

eXTReMe Tracker

Gaming Channel Posts

  • Bejeweled Officially Takes Over the World
    Popcap cames has announced that Bejeweled has sold more than 25 million copies. That's a lot of casual games for casual game players. PopCap co-founder Jason Kapalka had this to say about it, [...]
  • A Lot of Fallout 3 Pics
    If you're interested in the development of Fallout 3 (and why shouldn't you be?) then you've got to make sure and check out a whole slew of images that were taken by an Asian blogger who, I [...]
  • Force Unleashed Demo "Unleashes" This Week... HAR HAR
    If you can't wait for over the top, unbelievable and extreme to the max Star Wars action that's like, TOTALLY UNLEASHED, then you should be happy to know that Star Wars: Unleashed is having a [...]
  • BlizzCon Tickets Up for Grabs
    While I won't have the luxury of attending myself, Blizzcon has always sounded like a fun filled event for enthusiastic MMO gamers, and I'd love to have the chance to go one of these days. [...]
  • Active Life Outdoor Challenge
    Ready for the next "get off the couch and move" game for the Wii? Well, get ready because it's coming early September. Active Life Oudoor Challenge is the first in a series of games that [...]
  • New VC and WiiWare 8-18
    Have some Wii points that are just burning a virtual hole in your console? Then check out this week's new offerings at the Wii shop. WiiWare Midnight Pool is a pool game for 1-2 players. It [...]
  • Expansion: Will We See Old Heroics?
    Imagine stomping through the Deadmines at level 80, defeating Van Cleef in a challenging and interesting fight, nothing like the time you breezed through the place at level 20. Heroic versions of [...]
  • Overlord II Screenshots Ahoy
    Overlord was the rare game that was fun, funny, and pretty good. Sure the thing had it's faults, but it was damn fun being a bad guy controlling a mob of hilariously devoted minions. While never [...]
  • Miyamoto is Not as Popular as Spielberg
    On David Jaffe's blog, the mind behind God of War said that creator of almost anything famous by Nintento, Shigeru Miyamoto, and legendary game creator Will Wright are not as well known as Steven [...]
  • A Good Batman Game? No Way!
    If there is one great question that mankind has stumbled with it's got to be, "Why isn't there a flipping awesome Batman game?" There may be no true answer to this problem, but the solution may [...]

Hot Off The Press

  • Mouth Breathing Dog
    I've been watching my poor little Quinn girl go downhill the last few months. This morning as I sit at home working she is laying on the floor and trying to breath through her nose but can't. It [...]
  • Gwen Stefani has a Girl!
    Gwen Stefani has reportedly given birth to a baby girl early this morning. She checked herself in to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles where she was scheduled to have a cesarean section. [...]
  • Jen in the Big Apple
    Since her wetheaded outing on Friday, Jen has pretty much flown under the radar. We knew nothing of her whereabouts - until she surfaced in New York City on Tuesday night! Jen was snapped leaving [...]
  • No Reservations
    I just saw that movie, No Reservations. It was on HBO On Demand, and I was looking forward to it. (I usually look ahead, just to see what's coming so I don't miss something I want to see.) From the [...]
  • Top 25 Super Tweaks for Windows
    Received these 25 tweaks in my inbox a few weeks ago. I haven't done all of them and I cannot vouch for their safety. Just a little disclaimer, fyi. If you know of more tweaks, feel free to let us [...]
  • Festival features symposium on Daniel Boone Sept. 5.
    BOONE—Daniel Boone Days, Boone’s newest festival, will be held Sept. 4-6 at various locations throughout the Town of Boone. Activities include the inaugural Daniel Boone Days Symposium, featuring [...]
  • Lee Pace Photos: Soldier's Girl
    I was finally able to watch Lee Pace's movie Soldier's Girl a few days ago. I have to tell you, I'm a bit in awe. No, a lot in awe. He was so pretty! He played the part like a real lady (which means [...]
  • Top Five Quarterbacks
    Since we are starting so late and since there are only thirty-two starting quarterbacks in the NFL (though over 60 made starts last season, but is anyone considering drafting more than maybe four of [...]
  • Kristin Chenoweth plans to record album for Gay fans
    Following her recognition from the gay education group, The Point Foundation, based in Los Angeles, Kristin Chenoweth announced plans she is coming up with an album that will make her gay fans very [...]
  • Samoa
    I'm dreaming of the Pacific Islands today. All my Pacific Islander friends have enjoyed such robust health, and this week I'm so fragile that it was inevitable. What's interesting is that [...]