Following months of uncertainty, Rockstar’s Manhunt 2 horror title has been re-rated as M (Mature) and will go on sale in time for the holiday season.
The announcement comes after a modified version, presumably with slightly toned-down gratuitous violence and torture, was submitted to the ESRB for a new rating. The new M rating means the game will be available through normal retail channels but may not be sold to people 17 years of age or younger. The previous AO (Adults Only) rating meant the game was not to be sold to people 18 years of age or under and would also have kept the game out of major retailers, as well as prevented it being published for the PlayStation or Wii consoles.
Sam Houser, Rockstar Games Founder, said, “Manhunt 2 is important to us, and we’re glad it can finally be appreciated as a gaming experience. We love the horror genre. Manhunt 2 is a powerful piece of interactive storytelling that is a unique videogame experience. We think horror fans will love it.”
The game was developed by the new Rockstar London studio, in conjunction with original Manhunt developer Rockstar North, based out of Edinburgh. The Wii version is being handled by Rockstar Toronto.
“Manhunt 2 is an extraordinary game, and we eagerly anticipate its release in North America,” said Take-Two Chairman Strauss Zelnick. The game is now scheduled for on October 31 for the PlayStation 2, PSP and Nintendo Wii systems.
