The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has banned 'Manhunt 2' a video game by publisher Take-Two Interactive Software and their label Rockstar Games, makers of other controversial titles like the 'Grand Theft Auto' series. The ban means that the game will not legally be available in Britain and is the first such ban since 1997 when a similar move was made against 'Carmagedon'. That ban was appealed in court and lifted. The BBFC director, David Cooke is quoted as saying "'Manhunt 2' is distinguishable from recent high-end video games by its unremitting bleakness and callousness of tone in an overall game context which constantly encourages visceral killing with exceptionally little alleviation or distancing. There is sustained and cumulative casual sadism in the way in which these killings are committed, and encouraged, in the game." While I've not seen the title, the premise is a little frightening and perhaps pushes the envelope. As a parent I'll not be encouraging my children to seek out this title but that's a personal choice that we all need to wrestler with based on our own situations. Censorship scares me a bit, but I also realize that not all families function well and some parents are more in tune with what their children are up to than others. I think an adult classification is probably more appropriate but that also assumes that we adults are all able to discern what is an appropriate action and what is not, the question is what in a free society is 'too far' and who has the right to label it so. Do games create killers or are these people inclined to kill anyway? This is a hot debate!
