Manhunt Gets Banned in New Zealand
Rockstar's gritty and gruesome new title, Manhunt, has been banned in New Zealand by the Office of Film and Literature Classification. The "why" should be obvious, but read on to find our their reasons behind the decision.
Published: December 14, 2003
Only days after the censoring of its acclaimed-hit Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Rockstar Games is once again stirring up controversy, this time in the South Pacific with its latest edgy title, Manhunt. According to an article in the Sydney Morning Herald, Manhunt has been banned in New Zealand, marking the first time the Office of Film and Literature Classification has ever had to ban a videogame.
Chief censor Bill Hastings stated that the game's gruesome murders and limitless killing, which, unlike Grand Theft Auto III or Vice City, lack the element of humor, surpasses any other violent videogame that has ever made its way to his office.
"It's a game where the only thing you do is kill everybody you see," said Hastings. "It gets worse. Not only do you have to kill everybody you see, you can choose to kill 'mild,' 'medium' or 'hot'."
Hastings went on to show his disgust over the game's explicit, snuff film-type murders, stating, ""When you go for the 'hot' kill you actually see the snuff film... you see the person being killed in close-up. With the plastic bag, for example, you see the victim's mouth gasping for air inside the bag."
The ban on Manhunt was elaborated in a 12-page decision, stating that the game's elements of horror, cruelty, crime and violence would be "injurious to the public good."
Although gamers in New Zealand may never have the chance to experience Manhunt, we American gamers have been given the opportunity to try out first-hand the game's sick, twisted, but addictive gameplay. We at the site came up with a verdict – see it here.
Chief censor Bill Hastings stated that the game's gruesome murders and limitless killing, which, unlike Grand Theft Auto III or Vice City, lack the element of humor, surpasses any other violent videogame that has ever made its way to his office.
"It's a game where the only thing you do is kill everybody you see," said Hastings. "It gets worse. Not only do you have to kill everybody you see, you can choose to kill 'mild,' 'medium' or 'hot'."
Hastings went on to show his disgust over the game's explicit, snuff film-type murders, stating, ""When you go for the 'hot' kill you actually see the snuff film... you see the person being killed in close-up. With the plastic bag, for example, you see the victim's mouth gasping for air inside the bag."
The ban on Manhunt was elaborated in a 12-page decision, stating that the game's elements of horror, cruelty, crime and violence would be "injurious to the public good."
Although gamers in New Zealand may never have the chance to experience Manhunt, we American gamers have been given the opportunity to try out first-hand the game's sick, twisted, but addictive gameplay. We at the site came up with a verdict – see it here.
