In June of this year, the American Entertainment Software Rating Board labeled Manhunt 2 as “adult only”. This effectively removed the product from being sold at some major retailers. Yesterday, that rating was revised to “Mature”:

“Manhunt 2, a brutally violent video game that was effectively banned in the United States, has risen from the grave in a modified form and will go on sale for Halloween, its publisher said on Friday.

Take-Two Interactive Software said a new version of the game, which features an insane asylum escapee killing enemies in gruesome ways, had won a “Mature” rating from the U.S. Entertainment Software Ratings Board, meaning it is meant for players aged 17 and older.”

link: Take-Two’s ‘Manhunt 2′ game approved for sale

What initially seemed like a setback for this game has resulted in free, worldwide press. There was the news cycle when the “Adults Only” rating was applied. There is this news cycle, with the revised rating. And there will be review articles upon release - and those article will comment on the violent nature of the game. The amount of publicity this ratings disturbance has generated (and will continue to generate) will have benefits on the revenue returned - and profits.

Catherine Forsythe

[tags]manhunt 2, rating, retailers, publicity, sales[/tags]