Manhunt 2

Australia is well-known for its unforgiving censorship of violent games. The country's government-controlled rating system lacks an 18+ category for videogames, meaning that every game must fit the criteria of the legally-restricted MA15+ category. But those days may soon be over...

By now, you’ve probably heard what’s been going on in D.C. The great state of California has taken an argument to the highest level of judicial authority. Its position: violent video games cause harm to minors. This supposed ‘harm’ has ranged from vague to fantastic in their legal briefs, but a new study from Yale is set to poke a huge hole in its boat.

Rani Desai, associate professor of psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine sums up the study’s findings very neatly: “Gaming does not appear to be dangerous to kids. We found virtually no association between gaming and negative health behaviors, particularly in boys"...

Britain's Independent newspaper reports that a new study has proven a link between violent imagery in games and movies, and desensitization of teenage boys to actual violence. The study, which has been widely re-reported in news media and gaming sites, is being positioned as the “smoking gun” that links videogame violence and angry young men, which naturally scares a lot of gamers and makes moral grandstanders happy. The problem is that it actually does nothing of the sort...

GFB writes: After speculation about a possible sequel coming out for the Manhunt series, it appears that we have good news and some absolutely heart-breaking news for fans of the series. While Manhunt 3 ideas were being kicked around and going as far as story concepts and art, it appears that Take Two has said no.

GFB writes: There have been murmurs about ManHunt 3 since the highly controversial release of ManHunt 2 for the Wii and PS2. Now it appears the most recent rumor out of Rockstar's parent company TakeTwo is that we can expect an announcement this summer. From what we're being told, the game will be PS3 exclusive and utilize the Playstation 3's upcoming Move add-on. It definitely makes sense since the PS3 would be a perfect fit for the ManHunt sequel. And with the rumored plan to use the Move hardware, the latest version could give PS3 gamer's the functionality that was available in the Wii version of ManHunt 2.

Figures submitted by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) show that since 2005, far fewer videogames have been refused classification by the Board than have films and videos. Furthermore, with the exception of four titles in 2007, no games at all have been refused classification since 2005.

BeefJack writes, The Wii is the best selling system currently and it shows no signs of slowing down. It's already common knowledge that everyone wants a Wii. Grandparents, small children, famous celebrities, everyone wants a piece of the Wii. With games like Wii sports and Mario Kart Wii, who wouldn't want one? With all these fun for everyone games out and about, where does it leave all of us hardcore gamers?... Nintendo, with SEGA, has decided to release a few more M (Mature) rated games and give the hardcore gamers what they want, blood guts, gore, and some humor on the side...

A recent study at Villanova University shows that games using motion control don't influence the aggression in players any more than standard controls do. Dr. Patrick Markey examined individuals playing Manhunt 2 and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2008 (otherwise known as the only AO Wii game in existence).

Rockstar Games confirmed that the releaseschedules from local distributors are correct. This friday Manhunt 2 will finally be released in liberal Holland and the rest of Europe. Manhunt 2 will be available on Wii, PSP and PS2. The game was delayed for a long time a caused all kinds of discussion due to its explicit content. The BBFC has been under heavy critique from media and government, and the Byron report - following the Manhunt 2 release - caused lots of discussion once again. What the future holds for the BBFC is yet unknown, but Manhunt 2 will see daylight next friday. The game will be available for €39,99 on Wii and PS2 and for €29,99 on PSP.

Rockstar has declined to confirm Nintendo's claim that Manhunt 2 is due out for Wii in Europe this August. We have no confirmed release date set for Manhunt 2 in Europe, a Rockstar spokesperson told Eurogamer this afternoon.