BBFC warns that it may take legal action to stop Rockstar's game getting to retail
Rockstar is still celebrating its successful appeal to get Manhunt 2 classified – but the British Board of Film Classification has warned that it may go to the most powerful judiciary in the country to ensure the game never hits High Street shelves.
The Video Appeals Committee upheld Rockstar’s plea on Monday, with a majority of jurors supporting the controversial publisher’s case.
But at the time of going to press, the BBFC was yet to receive the report of the VAC proceedings – and told MCV that it could yet take the case to a judicial review if it finds anything it considers unlawful.
BBFC spokesperson Sue Clark said: “We need to see the judgement papers from the VAC case before we even consider giving Manhunt 2 a rating. If we spot anything problematic, we may decide to take our case to the High Court as a judicial review, which would lead to Manhunt 2’s release being frozen in the UK.
“Our main concern is to ensure a lawful outcome. It needs to be the right decision within the UK’s legal framework – which will be the right decision in the public interest.”
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Meanwhile, ELSPA has remained non-committal in its view of the appeal. Director general Paul Jackson told MCV: “For the same reasons we respected the original decision by the BBFC, ELSPA also respects the decision of the VAC. We await the BBFC's next steps with interest.”
Comments
ELSPA - on the fence?
The ELSPA response seems very non-commital. Legal issues aside, it would be interesting to see what their views are on this game.
Re: BBFC motives?
I have to ask, is the BBFC really that concerned about Manhunt 2 getting a release due its content or is it now a case of sour grapes on their part given their strong campaign to have the game banned outright?
Whatever the case, as an adult I'm slightly offened that the BBFC, by their own words, deem any number of violent films released this year suitable for my viewing but not an adult video game.
This game is terrible
But plenty of films and books (which have no age rating) are worse. The government has no business telling an adult what they can see. Also this game is freely available elsewhere in the world without causing major civil uprisings.
Re: This game is terrible
i totally agree
Re: fuss over nothing
Thing is this game has been released in America and once the hype had died down the game disappeared down the charts. With continuing this stupid persuit the BBFC are stoking the fire that would have gone out a fews weeks after the games release (if they had let it go)...
Re: fuss over nothing
Looks to me like they are just deliberately dragging their heels until the Christmas shopping season is over.
Re: fuss over nothing
I agree that this game should not be allowed onto the market, its disgusting. although Rockstar have come out with the GTA series, i feel they have taken the violence just too far.
But, 'Farz' has made a seriously good point, the fuss over the game would have gone down as soon as the next big game came out, which is not long at all.
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