PC Version of Manhunt 2 May Carry an AO Rating, But How Will It Get Sold?
PC Version of Manhunt 2 May Carry an AO Rating, But How Will It Get Sold?
August 26, 2009
As noted by Joystiq, the ESRB is currently listing the upcoming PC version of Manhunt 2 with an Adults Only (AO) rating.
GamePolitics readers will likely recall that the console versions of Manhunt 2 generated a major controversy in the summer of 2007 when the game was banned in Britain and tagged with an AO here in the States. Rockstar subsequently released a toned-down version that earned an M (17+) rating for the U.S. market.
That was a critical milestone, because the Big Three console makers won't license AO-rated games for their systems, which makes it tough for a publisher to earn a return on its investment. That's why you don't see any AO-rated console games. While the open architecture of the PC negates licensing concerns, an AO-rated Manhunt 2 would still get thumbs-down from major retailers like GameStop and Wal-Mart.
That means that Rockstar is either planning a digital distribution campaign for Manhunt 2 or that it will edit the PC version - as it did with the console editions - to earn an M from the ESRB. Of course, there is a third scenario: Rockstar could ship an M-rated version to retailers while distributing an AO-rated version online.
We wonder how Valve might react to handling an AO game if its Steam service, which currently distributes Rockstar's GTA IV online, is under consideration as a potential digital distribution source for Manhunt 2.
A PUBLICATION OF THE ECA
SUBSCRIBE
LOGIN / REGISTER
Crispy Gamer
GamePolitics ShoutBox
Posted 03/19/10 at 10:21am
Valdearg: Lmao. I was just permabanned from the hannity forums for asking about her article. It was politely worded, and I made sure to imply that I was conservative. Seems to me like Hannity is in full damage control, at the moment.
Valdearg: Lmao. I was just permabanned from the hannity forums for asking about her article. It was politely worded, and I made sure to imply that I was conservative. Seems to me like Hannity is in full damage control, at the moment.
Posted 03/19/10 at 09:59am
Valdearg: CONSERVATIVE blogger Debbie Schlussel out's Sean Hannity's Freedom Concerts as a SCAM! As little as 4% and 7% of the money collected in some years actually went to the benefits of the charity. A MUCH larger percentage was spent on luxuries for Hannity.
Valdearg: CONSERVATIVE blogger Debbie Schlussel out's Sean Hannity's Freedom Concerts as a SCAM! As little as 4% and 7% of the money collected in some years actually went to the benefits of the charity. A MUCH larger percentage was spent on luxuries for Hannity.
Posted 03/19/10 at 07:36am
HarmlessBunny: Aussie election is underway. Apparently it is too close to call. Here is hoping Atkinson is knocked off his perch :)
HarmlessBunny: Aussie election is underway. Apparently it is too close to call. Here is hoping Atkinson is knocked off his perch :)
Posted 03/19/10 at 06:46am
nightwng2000: design by a French TV show by its more broad representation? http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/bizarre&id=7337029
nightwng2000: design by a French TV show by its more broad representation? http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/bizarre&id=7337029
Posted 03/19/10 at 06:45am
nightwng2000: Have the video game psychological studies about administering pain to someone else been proven misleading in their narrow.....
nightwng2000: Have the video game psychological studies about administering pain to someone else been proven misleading in their narrow.....
Posted 03/19/10 at 01:50am
hayabusa75: Flamespeak: Shhh, the Dems might hear you ;)
hayabusa75: Flamespeak: Shhh, the Dems might hear you ;)
Posted 03/18/10 at 09:41pm
ZippyDSMlee: And not taxing the 30-500K bracket so much, sure you make 500K at the end of the year add in life thats minus 200K add in the company you made there's another 200K.
ZippyDSMlee: And not taxing the 30-500K bracket so much, sure you make 500K at the end of the year add in life thats minus 200K add in the company you made there's another 200K.
Posted 03/18/10 at 09:39pm
ZippyDSMlee: Flamespeak: we should be taxing the ultra rich alot more(those that have more than 10 million in wealth),.
ZippyDSMlee: Flamespeak: we should be taxing the ultra rich alot more(those that have more than 10 million in wealth),.
Posted 03/18/10 at 08:04pm
Flamespeak: I never understood why someone should work hard to get a lot of money, just to be punished with more taxes for doing so.
Flamespeak: I never understood why someone should work hard to get a lot of money, just to be punished with more taxes for doing so.
Posted 03/18/10 at 06:44pm
hayabusa75: Isn't the upper class supposed to be footing most of this bill?
hayabusa75: Isn't the upper class supposed to be footing most of this bill?
Posted 03/18/10 at 06:05pm
Austin_Lewis: Of course, that ignores the fact that for the next 4 years, the people will be taxed without 'benefit' from the bill.
Austin_Lewis: Of course, that ignores the fact that for the next 4 years, the people will be taxed without 'benefit' from the bill.
Posted 03/18/10 at 06:04pm
Austin_Lewis: If we go by the CBO's past estimation failures, they're about 300% short on the actual cost.
Austin_Lewis: If we go by the CBO's past estimation failures, they're about 300% short on the actual cost.
Posted 03/18/10 at 05:21pm
ZippyDSMlee: *punt*Roll call, whos on and how are you doing?
ZippyDSMlee: *punt*Roll call, whos on and how are you doing?
Posted 03/18/10 at 12:07pm
JDKJ: No, I did you the favor and said it for you.
JDKJ: No, I did you the favor and said it for you.
Posted 03/18/10 at 12:06pm
Valdearg: What I said was while I may have implied long term accuraccy, and that might have been incorrect, my greater point that the CBO report calculated reduced deficits, expanded coverage, and lower costs is still 100% accurate. :D
Valdearg: What I said was while I may have implied long term accuraccy, and that might have been incorrect, my greater point that the CBO report calculated reduced deficits, expanded coverage, and lower costs is still 100% accurate. :D
Posted 03/18/10 at 12:06pm
Valdearg: Like any good politician, I don't believe I said "I was incorrect." :P
Valdearg: Like any good politician, I don't believe I said "I was incorrect." :P
Posted 03/18/10 at 12:02pm
JDKJ: If you'd said "I was incorrect" 10 shouts ago, I'd have quit twisting your arm to get you see the obvious 10 shouts ago.
JDKJ: If you'd said "I was incorrect" 10 shouts ago, I'd have quit twisting your arm to get you see the obvious 10 shouts ago.
Posted 03/18/10 at 12:00pm
JDKJ: You were they one assuming 100% accuracy. In all caps, no less.
JDKJ: You were they one assuming 100% accuracy. In all caps, no less.
Posted 03/18/10 at 11:59am
Valdearg: Yes, my implication that the long term estimates were facts was incorrect, but the short term calculations are absolutely facts, and even the long term estimates are still useful in attempting to determine exactly what will happen with the bill.
Valdearg: Yes, my implication that the long term estimates were facts was incorrect, but the short term calculations are absolutely facts, and even the long term estimates are still useful in attempting to determine exactly what will happen with the bill.
Copyright © 2007 ECA. All rights reserved.
Game Politics and Game Politics logo are trademarks of the ECA.
Game Politics and Game Politics logo are trademarks of the ECA.
Comments
I doubt Steam would carry it. They only have Indigo Prophecy, whereas you can go over to Direct2Drive and download the AO rated Farhenheit: Indigo Prophecy Director's Cut.
---You are likely to be eaten by a Grue.
Then again, they had a choice of an M-rated version in that case, and the retail stores were presumably also carrying the game. If Rockstar were to make the PC version of Manhunt 2 available as AO-rated only, Valve might be swayed by the chance at getting an exclusive (or semi-exclusive if Direct2Drive's also carrying it) that isn't available in retail stores at all.
As far as I know, Steam has nothing against the sales of AO titles.
----
Papa Midnight
http://www.thesupersoldiers.com
"That means that Rockstar is either planning a digital distribution campaign for Manhunt 2 or that it will edit the PC version"
I like the first idea. Throw it up on Steam and Direct2Drive and you're ready to go. After all, steam and D2D already has the first Manhunt and other "Adult Only" games. Then they won't have worry about Gamestop/Walmart bickering at all.
@MaskedPixelante: That doesn't mean steam has an anti-adult only policy. Last I checked, they prompted you for your age EVERY TIME you try and enter the store page for any mature game. Grand Theft Auto - San Andreas too has an Adult Only rating yet it's on steam
Ahh, but it's the M-rated, Hot Coffee free version.
I'm just saying "Don't EXPECT it on Steam." They may cater to the tastes of adult gamers, but they've got a fair amount of kids, judging by how many family friendly and young oriented games they sell.
---You are likely to be eaten by a Grue.
Ah I see. I forgot that there were "variations" of that game with alternate ratings (Hot Coffee, non-hot coffee like you said). The reason for the number of kids games though on steam is that they have an entire section dedicated to "Casual gamers" to which family friendly games fit that profile (some of which are really darn good titles too like Plants Vs. Zombies). It also seems that casual games in general are released far more quickly/frequently too probably due to their simplicity. If you look at www.reflexivearcade.com and watch how frequently releases occur, you'll see what I mean.
Anyhow, in the end I guess I will either end up getting it on Steam or Direct 2 Drive (assuming that is the route chosen) but personally, I'd prefer steam due to the ability to re-download the game whenever I please (should I lose my original and backup copies).
Keep in mind that Steam auto-patches games, and Hot Coffee was removed via patch. It would be against their policies to provide the pun patched version, regardless of rating.
I still don't see all the uproar over an AO rating and an M rating. Its a difference of 1 friggin year. Why not just merge the 2 ratings together at 18 yo old and call it a day. I'm definately against the idea of consoles not supporting AO games. To me that's not their decision to make. The decision of what to play is up to the consumer, not the manufacturer. Its the equivalent a comapny that makes DVD players refusing to play horror movies because they think they're too violent and don't approve. That for the consumer to decide. Stores IMO do have the right to refuse to sell an item as does Steam. However I wish they would reconsider. If you don't like a product for whatever reason, the best form of boycott is: DON'T BUY IT. But stop acting like you have the right to make that decision for others who may feel differently.
It's stupid, but thats what politicans are, stupid, and quite frankly, I don't see the difference either, but that dreaded AO rating is a game murderer, not a murder simulator, but a game murderer.
I'm getting this version 2 times to show my support for AO games.
If I like Manhunt, I might too. To be honest, I never tried it - but the AO rating might get me to. Never could quite understand why it's ok for movies to have NC-17 (AO) ratings, but not games?
I guess the video game industry needs to grease some more palms, like Hollywood does.
Too bad Manhunt 2 isn't a very good game. Try it out though, maybe you'll find it more to your liking.
I bought my copy from a off duty prison guard selling dope and computer games disguised as a nun. But at least he asked to see my ID, so at least he had that going for him.
Why were the computer games disguised as a nun?
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
http://www.theeca.com/chapters_oklahoma
Well played sir... well played. Your grammer-fu is strong.
Your comma is not as strong.
----
Papa Midnight
http://www.thesupersoldiers.com
That would be grammar-fu.
There are masters everywhere!
I think a better question is...Who is going to buy this game when Champions Online, Alpha Protocol, Batman, Hearts of Iron 3 and Dirt 2 are all coming out soon.
Nobody.
The game hasn't sold well on any platform for a reason. It sucks.
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
http://www.theeca.com/chapters_oklahoma
I guess the only way to sell and AO rated game like this is though digital distribution.
http://www.magicinkgaming.com/
Better sales coverage would probably be option 3.
Of course, unless it's really cheap, I wouldn't be buying it because it's not exactly my genre or platform of game (or combo, as a first person D&D RPG might be acceptable to me).
Nightwng2000
NW2K Software
http://www.facebook.com/nightwing2000
Nightwng2000 is now admin to the group "Parents For Education, Not Legislation" on MySpace as http://groups.myspace.com/pfenl
Semi-kudos on Rockstar for belatedly finding it's testicles.
-Ultimately what will do in mankind is a person's fear of their own freedom-
Now where were they when people were claiming GTA had rape in them or that you could acsess hot coffee with a cheat code?
----------------------------------------------------
Debates are like merry go rounds. Two people take their positions then they go through the same points over and over and over again. Then when it's over they have the same positions they started in.
Ummmm would be be so hard to print out normnal boxes but at less volume sale them for 45$ a shot to anyone who cares to sell it then hit up stardock,steam and D2D to sale the rest of them.
Until lobbying is a hanging offense I choose anarchy! Stop supporting big media and furthering the criminalization of consumers!! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/
I know my local Hastings was selling the AO verison of Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude a few years back. Not sure if they would still sell an AO game since I haven't actually seen any in a long time.
Frys did alot of online stores did, hell I bet you anything Walmart online would do it too.
Until lobbying is a hanging offense I choose anarchy! Stop supporting big media and furthering the criminalization of consumers!! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/
I hope they do put the Ao on some digitla distribution services, maybe if it makes enough cash one of the big three will allow Ao games on their consoles.
Our best bet is Sony or Microsoft that way there may be Ao games on Live Arcade or PSN and then that might make some retailers take notice, and if not well it's still better than none at all.
----------------------------------------------------
Debates are like merry go rounds. Two people take their positions then they go through the same points over and over and over again. Then when it's over they have the same positions they started in.
I would to see AO games on PSN and XBL parents can't cry about it then.
I don't see how Rockstar could not pass up the opportunity to sell an AO copy of this game on PC, be it digitial distribution or otherwise. By selling the PC version as AO, they can tout it as "The version the consoles wouldn't let you play!" and add to that ever-popular forbidden fruit allure. Even if Gamestop or Wal-Mart won't sell it, that doesn't mean it wouldn't be available someplace else like, oh, say Amazon (Rapelay anyone?) Or they could sell it directly themselves from their website, bypassing the reatailers entirely (even though that would further JT's argument that the game developers really are selling their games directly to kids).