All the latest UK technology news, reviews and analysis
|
|
|
02 Nov 2007
Manhunt 2 has been hacked just 24 hours after going on sale to show violent scenes that were blocked by the censors.
The game had certain scenes removed in order to gain certification in the US. Manhunt 2 has still been deemed too violent for release in the UK, although it may be available online to get around regulations.
Take2 Interactive, the game's distributor, decided to block the offending scenes from the game player's view rather than remove them completely. Inevitably, a hack is now in circulation to make some of the scenes visible.
"I stand behind the game and the Entertainment Software Rating Board process," said Take2 Interactive chairman Strauss Zelnick in a statement.
"It is unfortunately the case that no one in the entertainment software industry is immune from hacking. We hope that consumers will not engage in hacking or download illegally modified copies of our games."
The hack has appeared only for Sony's PlayStation Portable so far, and has yet to surface for the PlayStation 2 or Nintendo's Wii. Viewing the scenes requires a hacked console and a considerable amount of skill.
The incident mirrors that of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, which was developed by the same team. A hack allowed softcore pornography to be added to the gameplay.
Manhunt 2 has prompted outrage from consumer groups, which claim that it is too violent for general release.
"This game is absolutely inappropriate for kids," said James Steyer, chief executive at Common Sense Media.
"Studies suggest that a large number of underage kids play M-rated games. Given the extremely graphic content in Manhunt 2, we want parents to know that even older teens are not ready for this title."
Latest stories from Security
Related articles
Related jobs
Poll
What is the most important IT priority for your company this year?
Connect with V3.co.uk
This paper focuses on a series of best practices and techniques for development teams looking to improve their software development processes
Why good data management at all levels is essential in the modern business (video, 6mins)
Business Analyst urgently required with a background...
We have an opportunity for an experienced Business Architect...
Leading Institutional Investment Manager require an individual...
Leading Institutional Fund Manager require a Senior IT...
Keep up to date with the latest products, services and technologies from the world's leading IT companies. IThound.com brings you over 2,000 white papers, case studies and analyst reports.
Do you agree?
Babysitting
maybe it would be useful though if parents stopped thinking that all they have to do to look after their kids is buy a game and sit them in front of it, i find it hilarious that as long as games are being the sole educator of thier kids parents are happy but the second anything happens games become evil, heres an idea guys don't give your 12 year old a game rated M that might help
Posted by: Kid_Creation 23 Apr 2008
Unsuitable for kids?
It's not the developers these groups should be targeting. How about making the parents aware of what they're buying for their children, or maybe the stores that still sell M rated games to children.
Posted by: JGH 05 Dec 2007
No Wonder
What do they expect, if there going to censor the UK and not the US there going to get things like this. Some of us like these style of games and there just being killed off by this whole nanny attitude. Theres movies with all the same gore but kids still see them and there with live actors not pixels.
Posted by: Ryan 09 Nov 2007