Various game hacking websites have recently released instructions for hacking the PSP and Playstation 2 versions of Take-Two and Rockstar's controversial horror game Manhunt 2. These hacks allow users to turn off the blur effects which Rockstar added to cover up the hyper-violent "stealth kills" in the game. Without these blur effects, the M-rated game is essentially made exactly like the AO-rated version submitted to the ESRB in June, which caused a huge public outcry and a reevaluation of the game by the ESRB.

ESRB President Patricia Vance made a statement shortly after the conclusion of an ESRB investigation of the alleged hacks of the game. She confirmed that the hacks do indeed exist, and made the following statements, among others:

"Our investigation indicates that the game’s publisher disclosed to the ESRB all pertinent content in the authorized Mature-rated version of Manhunt 2 now available in stores, and complied with our guidelines on full disclosure of content.

What parents, and indeed all consumers, need to be aware of is that computer software and hardware devices are susceptible to unauthorized modification. Parents should be cognizant of whether or not their children are engaging in unauthorized modification of their games, consoles or handhelds, as those modifications can change game content in ways that may be inconsistent with the assigned ESRB rating."

It is good to see Take-Two not being held accountable for this hack, since that was the fear held by most gamers during the few days that the ESRB held their investigation. Manhunt 2 went through an agonizing series of events a few months ago (jokingly nicknamed "Black Tuesday" by employees) that eventually ended in a ban from multiple countries as well as a temporary retraction of permission to publish on Wii, PS2, or PSP.

This event also forcefully brings to mind Rockstar's "Hot Coffee" scandal, when a porn scene was found to be accessable through a cheat code in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. However, the enormous legal battle that followed was only because the game developers had intentionally left that scene, and it was not within the scope of the ESRB's review of the game. It seems as if Manhunt 2 may have finally reached the end of its troubles, though the coming months may still bring more controversy to the already embattled game.
[via GamePolitics. Thanks, Kahuna.]

So, Manhunt 2, the "murder simulator" that uses the violent and disturbing (riiight...) possibilities of Nintendo's Wiimote, is being attacked and stabbed repeatedly in the eye with shards of glass.

That's all metaphorical of course, as in truth, the game has recently been given an AO (Adults Only) rating from the ESRB after pressure from the "Center for a Commerical Free Childhood" (CCFC) caused ESRB to cave into their demands. This decision has sparked a huge cascade of problems for Rockstar's sequel, set to be released on Nintendo Wii and Sony Playstation 2 on July 9th.

First, Blockbuster and GameFly (the online game rental service) have announced that they will not carry any games with an AO rating, and they will not be making any exceptions for Manhunt. In addition to the fact that retailers like Wal-Mart and Target do not sell AO games, this poses a huge problem for the game. In addition, The United Kingdom and Ireland have officially stated that the game will be banned from sale in both countries. All of this comes due to, you guessed it, the "unique physical interaction with the Wii control" being able to " take this simulation a level closer to reality."

Finally, to top off the massive damage dealt to Take Two and Rockstar, Nintendo and Sony have announced that they will not publish games with an AO rating on their consoles. Yes kids, that means that Manhunt 2 cannot get a release at all while it is rated Adults Only. Rockstar will most likely decide to edit the game until it reaches Mature status, but its reputation has been severely hurt.

What does this mean? Well, as GamePolitics puts it, "Black Tuesday" has to be one of the worst days for Take Two in recent memory, and it is even expected to cost them millions of dollars and the possibility of the continuation of Manhunt after this game. This is a sad day for video games, when a single advocacy group is able to completely destroy the credibility and marketability of both a single game and an entire developer.
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