Could a game like Manhunt come out today?

[Kane99]

Manhunt and Manhunt 2 released back in the early 2000s and at the time, were regarded as offensive and disturbing games. In my opinion, I liked the first game, but I understood why some people were throwing a fuss about the franchise and how violent it is. 

Now days though, could a game like Manhunt release without fuss? Part of me thinks it'll be 50/50. I mean we had that Hatred game, and that was probably more offensive in terms of what it portrayed. I know some had a fit about that game and its violence, but I think most people just were like "meh" it's a game with violence, and probably wasn't that good anyway. But I can see some up in arms about this type of game getting out there. 

I think today it'll be split. What do you think? I think majority of gamers won't care, but parents and non-gamers will see it differently. 

[killamch89]

It could because we've see even more violent games that have come out since and there's not even a bit of uproar about those games.

[Empire]

Lighter and sillier than Manhunt, but look at Slayaway Camp. Basically a parody of Friday the 13th movies with voxel art and puzzle gameplay. It's got brutal execution animations, but it's more silly than scary.

[killamch89]

I mean, Mortal Kombat still has some of the most brutal fatalities and yet, it still isn't banned (I mean they tried to do that around the time Manhunt came out but still...). God Of War has some pretty brutal kills with plenty of gore. Bioshock infinite is also one that isn't mentioned a lot but some of the kills include ripping people's faces off. Resident Evil - I mean it needs no further explanation.

[Reality vs Adventure]

Who knows right? Dictators obsessively talk about how bad crime is, so they always look for a scapegoat to blame. They will attack games, music, tv, culture, people, anything and everything to paint themselves as the only savior. I wouldn't be surprised the day they start making laws banning violent video games. To protect the kids right? They are banning books. Teachers and librarians can go to jail now. Hey, why not video games. Start jailing store clerks who sells a game to kids. Jail the guy who sells movie tickets. What is the difference from jailing a librarian? It's already here. 

[killamch89]

On 3/22/2023 at 4:36 PM, Reality vs Adventure said:

Who knows right? Dictators obsessively talk about how bad crime is, so they always look for a scapegoat to blame. They will attack games, music, tv, culture, people, anything and everything to paint themselves as the only savior. I wouldn't be surprised the day they start making laws banning violent video games. To protect the kids right? They are banning books. Teachers and librarians can go to jail now. Hey, why not video games. Start jailing store clerks who sells a game to kids. Jail the guy who sells movie tickets. What is the difference from jailing a librarian? It's already here. 

For the life of me, I still can't remember why Manhunt was even banned in the first place when Mortal Kombat and a few other games with similar levels of violence was around. Like, what was this supposed to accomplish?

[Shortie]

As much as it would be possible for a game like manhunt to come out today I do feel it would get mixed reaction from many. Most gamers would love for it to be released today and wouldn't bat an eye but then you would get some people who would see the game and take it too far and that would change everything. Even though it is only a game, there will always be someone who takes it too far. 

[killamch89]

On 4/5/2023 at 4:48 AM, Shortie said:

As much as it would be possible for a game like manhunt to come out today I do feel it would get mixed reaction from many. Most gamers would love for it to be released today and wouldn't bat an eye but then you would get some people who would see the game and take it too far and that would change everything. Even though it is only a game, there will always be someone who takes it too far. 

If anything, we've seen a lot of way more brutal games come out in the last 3 years and they were never banned and nobody ever mentions them so that's why I'm so baffled by the Manhunt ban.

[Akun]

On 4/12/2023 at 2:35 AM, killamch89 said:

If anything, we've seen a lot of way more brutal games come out in the last 3 years and they were never banned and nobody ever mentions them so that's why I'm so baffled by the Manhunt ban.

Not just brutal games; you literally have porn games on Steam, and I'm not even talking about those anime games either.

Plus, GTA games often have you killing prostitutes for fun. Yay feminism.

[Reality vs Adventure]

On 4/4/2023 at 2:30 PM, killamch89 said:

For the life of me, I still can't remember why Manhunt was even banned in the first place when Mortal Kombat and a few other games with similar levels of violence was around. Like, what was this supposed to accomplish?

I don't know either. People have a misconception of what to label too graphic or too violent. Japan thinks censoring blood and missing limbs passes the violence meter. How can you throw a grenade at a group of people and pretend it isn't violent just because you don't see a head roll or spin in the air and wink at you...😉. Is hacking limbs off a monster or zombie not considered violent? Is hunting an animal and skinning it with all the blood not considered violent? What makes blood from a human more special than an animal? It's all a hypocrisy. 

[The Blackangel]

Hatred is a good example of the games they want to ban. The only place it's even available anymore is on Steam, as it's been deemed "too violent" by the masses, and as someone who plays the game, I can definitely see why.

All that said, the world has become so pussy whipped, that anything that isn't all sunshine and roses is going to have a huge amount of power hungry assholes with a superiority complex that think their opinion matters and should be taken as gospel.

Manhunt may get made, but don't count on any kind of official release. There's a small chance that it could be "accidentally leaked" by someone at Rockstar. But that's nothing more than wishful thinking if you ask me.

The following is from Wikipedia:

 

On July 28, 2004, the game was linked to the murder of 14-year-old Stefan Pakeerah by his 17-year-old friend Warren Leblanc in Leicestershire, England. Initial media reports claimed that police had found a copy of the game in Leblanc's bedroom. Giselle and Patrick Pakeerah, the victim's parents, claimed that the game had influenced LeBlanc and played a role in the murder. The Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers' Association (ELSPA) offered sympathy to the Pakeerah family but rejected any connection between the game and the murder. ELSPA also noted that the game was rated 18 by the British Board of Film Classification and was not intended for minors. Due to controversy, the game was removed from shelves by some vendors, including Game and Dixons. In response, Rockstar reiterated that it was intended for adults and denied any link to the murder. Media speculation of a potential ban on the game increased demand for it at physical and online retailers. Giselle Pakeerah stated her disappointment over the increased interest in the game.

On July 30, 2004, American attorney Jack Thompson, an advocate against violence in video games, claimed to have warned Rockstar prior to the game's release that it could inspire copycat killings. On August 2, 2004, it was reported that the Pakeerahs had hired Thompson to represent them in a £50 million wrongful death claim against Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) and Rockstar Games. That day, the police officially denied any link between the game and the murder, citing drug-related robbery as the motive and revealing that the game had been found in Pakeerah's bedroom, not Leblanc's as originally reported. The presiding judge placed sole responsibility with Leblanc after sentencing him to life. The Pakeerahs' case against SCE and Rockstar was dropped soon thereafter.

There was renewed controversy after the announcement of Manhunt 2 in February 2007, with the Pakeerahs condemning its release. Rockstar's parent company Take-Two Interactive issued a statement that "the Judge, defense, prosecution and Leicester police" in the case had refuted any connection to the game. Jack Thompson unsuccessfully attempted to have Manhunt 2 banned, claiming that Take-Two had lied about the incident and that police were incorrect in asserting the game had belonged to Pakeerah.

 

If you're hoping for another release, expect a shitload of backlash and fight against the game. With the graphical capabilities that we have now, the game would be deemed more violent and brutal than ever. There would be a full on war against it. So fiscally speaking, it wouldn't be a good thing for Rockstar or Take-Two to try releasing another one in the franchise. At least not until people regrow a god damn backbone.

Edited April 22, 2023 by The Blackangel

[Reality vs Adventure]

3 hours ago, The Blackangel said:

Hatred is a good example of the games they want to ban. The only place it's even available anymore is on Steam, as it's been deemed "too violent" by the masses, and as someone who plays the game, I can definitely see why.

All that said, the world has become so pussy whipped, that anything that isn't all sunshine and roses is going to have a huge amount of power hungry assholes with a superiority complex that think their opinion matters and should be taken as gospel.

Manhunt may get made, but don't count on any kind of official release. There's a small chance that it could be "accidentally leaked" by someone at Rockstar. But that's nothing more than wishful thinking if you ask me.

The following is from Wikipedia:

 

On July 28, 2004, the game was linked to the murder of 14-year-old Stefan Pakeerah by his 17-year-old friend Warren Leblanc in Leicestershire, England. Initial media reports claimed that police had found a copy of the game in Leblanc's bedroom. Giselle and Patrick Pakeerah, the victim's parents, claimed that the game had influenced LeBlanc and played a role in the murder. The Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers' Association (ELSPA) offered sympathy to the Pakeerah family but rejected any connection between the game and the murder. ELSPA also noted that the game was rated 18 by the British Board of Film Classification and was not intended for minors. Due to controversy, the game was removed from shelves by some vendors, including Game and Dixons. In response, Rockstar reiterated that it was intended for adults and denied any link to the murder. Media speculation of a potential ban on the game increased demand for it at physical and online retailers. Giselle Pakeerah stated her disappointment over the increased interest in the game.

On July 30, 2004, American attorney Jack Thompson, an advocate against violence in video games, claimed to have warned Rockstar prior to the game's release that it could inspire copycat killings. On August 2, 2004, it was reported that the Pakeerahs had hired Thompson to represent them in a £50 million wrongful death claim against Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) and Rockstar Games. That day, the police officially denied any link between the game and the murder, citing drug-related robbery as the motive and revealing that the game had been found in Pakeerah's bedroom, not Leblanc's as originally reported. The presiding judge placed sole responsibility with Leblanc after sentencing him to life. The Pakeerahs' case against SCE and Rockstar was dropped soon thereafter.

There was renewed controversy after the announcement of Manhunt 2 in February 2007, with the Pakeerahs condemning its release. Rockstar's parent company Take-Two Interactive issued a statement that "the Judge, defense, prosecution and Leicester police" in the case had refuted any connection to the game. Jack Thompson unsuccessfully attempted to have Manhunt 2 banned, claiming that Take-Two had lied about the incident and that police were incorrect in asserting the game had belonged to Pakeerah.

 

If you're hoping for another release, expect a shitload of backlash and fight against the game. With the graphical capabilities that we have now, the game would be deemed more violent and brutal than ever. There would be a full on war against it. So fiscally speaking, it wouldn't be a good thing for Rockstar or Take-Two to try releasing another one in the franchise. At least not until people regrow a god damn backbone.

That's messed up they tried to say the killer had the game when it was the victim who had the game. Interesting though how they easily discriminate against games as a motive. Turned out to be a good ol fashioned robbery for drugs. I think putting a gun in a kid's hands with a bunch of psycho blabber is way worse than owning a violent game. 

[killamch89]

On 4/22/2023 at 11:31 AM, Reality vs Adventure said:

That's messed up they tried to say the killer had the game when it was the victim who had the game. Interesting though how they easily discriminate against games as a motive. Turned out to be a good ol fashioned robbery for drugs. I think putting a gun in a kid's hands with a bunch of psycho blabber is way worse than owning a violent game. 

I totally agree - it just never made any sense.

[Scorpion]

You raise a great point! The gaming landscape has changed, and while some might still be offended by *Manhunt*, many gamers could shrug it off. The division between gamers and non-gamers will definitely impact reactions. Parents may react strongly, but hardcore fans might welcome the return of such controversial titles. Ultimately, society's perspective on video game violence continues to evolve, making discussions around it even more interesting. What do you think would be the best approach for developers?