Gamertell

Rockstar’s always controversial Manhunt series is back in the news. The Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) currently lists the PC version of the game with an “Adults Only” rating. The console version of Manhunt 2, released in 2008, initially received the same rating before Rockstar made changes that earned the… Continue Reading »

Confirming something most of us already know, a new study coming out of Villanova University indicates that motion controls do not increase aggression in people who play violent video games. Certainly inspired by the controversy controversy surrounding the Wii release of Manhunt 2, a study titled “An examination of psychoticism… Continue Reading »

While the streets might be safe for a few weeks while everyone is inside playing Grand Theft Auto IV: Vice City, it’s only a matter of time before hooligans decide to stretch their thumbs and break out of the family den or dilapidated tenement apartment (adorned with a 42 in.… Continue Reading »

According to the European Commission survey, Ireland is now banning violent video games. The reason for banning violent games, according to the EU’s study of the implementation of Pan European Game Information ratings, is that many of the EU nations are not enforcing the age limits on the games identified… Continue Reading »

Just as we thought the Manhunt 2 issue was over, Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Joe Lieberman (ID-CT), Evan Bayh (D-IN) and Sam Brownback (R-KS) have cooperatively written and sent a letter to the ESRB president, Patricia Vance, on November 21, 2007, concerning the Mature rating assigned to the revised version… Continue Reading »

When all the hoopla about Manhunt 2 was flying around I started noticing the movies in my local Walmart.  Walmart, as you probably know, does not sell AO games.  It also does not sell NC-17 movies.  However, when I wander down the aisle of new releases (which happens to be… Continue Reading »

The controversy that’s heated up the gaming world all summer has just received something of a happy ending. Rockstar and Take Two announced today (August 24, 2007) that a modified version of violent action title Manhunt 2 was awarded an “M” rating and an October 31, 2007 release date in… Continue Reading »

Across the Atlantic, Manhunt 2 bore the brunt of the fierce campaign against excessively violent games. In the US, however, the Manhunt 2 episode doesn’t seem to have set any precedents, at least that’s how it appears for federal judge Ronald Whyte. In his recent ruling ruling, Whyte decided a… Continue Reading »

Take Two Interactive Software, the ever-controversial company, has added added to its list of many woes.  On Thursday, August 2, 2007, it announced it is delaying the release of Grand Theft Auto IV, originally slated for October 2007, until Spring 2008.  The company cited the need for more development time. … Continue Reading »

Game Politics has posted a list of gaming’s 10 biggest scandals including biggies like the recent Manhunt 2 AO rating and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas’ hot coffee mod. The list, which went up Monday (July 16, 2007) is definitely geared towards the modern era – you’ll find nothing pre-1993… Continue Reading »