Jotunheim

Hopefully, that's going to be a tactic they'll use in future - when a non-family game is released, Nintendo say "look at the ratings, this console has parental controls if you don't want your kids playing it". Common sense would prevail.

However, time will tell.

It is quite surprising to me that Rockstar would put this on the Wii at all but I am glad to see Nintendo trying to make the Wii appealing to a more adult audience as well. I also do believe Nintendo will take the "follow common sense" approach by pointing out the Wii's parental control features and not bowing to pressure from lazy or ignorant parents. Nintendo has been desperate for strong third-party support since the N64 and I think they'll do what they can to back up Rockstar, a company who has typically shunned Nintendo platforms almost completely.

Clear, precise, and to the indisputable point. As usual for Nintendo staff.

Don't expect Nintendo to get into a mudslinging match over this, they tend to make their point and they stick to it without deviation.

All they are interested in is the legal implications, not the media nonsense, and in that respect, anyone going up against them doesn't have a leg to stand on.

I'd love to see a Reggie vs Jack stand-off, though... :D

"Slashing someone’s neck with a shard of glass? Simply move your Wiimote right to left in a sweeping motion while pressing the B button…"

I can totally see the anti-mature-game crowd taking that and running with it. Heck I wouldn't even be surprised if some idiot claimed that was from the ACTUAL manual... well before we know anymore details...

Of course it wouldn't surprise me if that's what is said anyway. Red Steel showed (albight badly) that sword fighting games are possible on the Wii. (Gah! If only they'd done a Star Wars lightsaber FPS, like Jedi Knight III or something. THAT would convince me to buy a Wii...:D)

I can already see the headlines:

"Video Games teach children to Kill!"
A new video game may be doing just that. The makers of the ever-controversial 'Grand Theft Auto' series have released a new title. One which some retailers are referring to as a 'Murder Simulator'.
The sole purpose of this game?
To kill, or be killed.
"No other reason exists to play this game. There is no middle ground; it's a blatant example of why violent video games should be publicly banned" - stated one anti-games activist.
The game, which is rated M, for Mature Audiences Only, is being released upon many platforms, which include Nintendo's Family-Friendly console, the Wii.
The game, which uses the state-of-the-art controls of Nintendo's new Wii console gaming system, allows the user to viciously act out violent actions, and have the character perform the same moves in-turn.
"This game advocates violence in a way that no other form of media ever has. Parents may be completely unaware, that in the next room over, their children are jumping up and down, performing 'pretend' sneaking, and learning exactly how to slit an unsuspecting victim's throat; practicing how to wrap a plastic bag around someone's head, to suffocate them. It's Inhumane. It's an atrocity, which should be stopped."

Reggie would kick ass in a court room.

Oh jacks gonna have a god dam field day with this.

I would never buy manhunt, but that does not mean that it cannot be produced. Nintendo it's time to "walk softy and carry a big stick", because I can see this going bad.. and fast.

Mephistote


eXCEPT THAT THE NEWS WOULD, AND WILL MESS UP 90% OF THE TERMS USED. I wonder if anyone might be allowed to crap out a press release over this.

"Slashing someone’s neck with a shard of glass? Simply move your Wiimote right to left in a sweeping motion while pressing the B button…"

Yeesh. I'm all for free speech and individual taste, but I find that horribly offensive. Feel free to play it if you wish, but I'm avoiding this title. I wasn't huge on PS2 original, and taking it to the point where you're playing murder with the physical gestures strikes me as sick.

@ John

Please tell me your joking.

I'm all for this game. I loved the first one, and have anxiously awaited the news that a sequel would be released. However, I kinda assumed, {you know what they say about doing that}, that due to all the negative attention the first one garnered, as well as the controversy that followed with Hot Coffee, and Bully, that it would never see the light of day.
But, the news of this game appearing on the Wii, is going to cause the proverbial **** to hit the fan.
As 'Wrench115' stated, this just could be the final measure, that causes the gaming industry to Sink or Swim. Either they will have to unite, and face Society as a whole, telling the world that gaming is no longer exclusively Children's Entertainment. Or they will keep quiet, as they have been known to do, and watch as their collective worlds come crumbling around them.

"It’s worth noting that you can’t *not* spot the parental controls if you use the Wii to go online."

Very true, and a smart move for Nintendo. Unfortunately it's sort of preaching to the choir: if, as a parent, you're informed enough to hook up your Wii to the internet and update, then you probably already know they exist.

The problem is in the parents that don't play games, the ones where the kid is doing the online updates (or for younger kids, it isn't connected online at all). I would like to see all companies (not just Nintendo) advertising the parental controls to that crowd. It would make them more likely to buy the new systems for their kids, and would free them up to take more risks with game content without fear of stirring up too much controversy.

Put a commercial on during Greys Anatomy and you'll have done a very good job in informing a large chunk of the "soccer moms".

"Gaming and configuring AV devices may well be beyond your comprehension, but it’s electronic equipment that costs more than a sandwich and simple common sense says that you at least watch them set it up so that they don’t catch fire."

You would think so...

When I was 9, I got an SNES. I hooked it up to our TV myself (my dad had no idea how), and it didn't work. My dad called Nintendo Customer Support and found out that certain older model TVs didn't work with the SNES video signal. So we went to Wal-Mart and bought me a TV for my bedroom. My dad brought it in, and then I hooked up the SNES to that by myself. I then had my own game system and my own television set in my bedroom, that I hooked up myself.

I'm certain that I'm not the only one.

Now a parent does the same thing with the Wii. They buy it for their kid, the kid sets it up, the parent doesn't know it has built-in parental controls and then they bitch when they discover that their kid borrowed Manhunt from Timmy Thomas.

You said it yourself, "we need more leaflets in the boxes and adverts on TV telling parents that they can restrict access." Not only leaflets in the box, but flyers and signs in the stores. Nintendo makes consoles for the family, they should be the first ones to stand up and yell "HEY, THIS IS SAFE FOR YOUR KID TO PLAY!"

"Manhunt 2 is not developed or published by Nintendo. It is one of many titles released by third party publishers for our system that appeal to people of all ages and interests."

You know, I can totally see legislators or a certain lawyer taking that entirely the wrong way...

Rusty:

I'm completely serious. Have fun if that's your thing, but it's where I draw the line on a personal level.

Joe Bourrie:

I know it was GP's quote and statement, but I'd be shocked if a similar implementation wasn't applied. The Wii's version of "Chaos Theory" included the element of throat slashing via hand motions, and I found that to be in poor taste as well (despite being a fan of the series).

Least they are not asking for them to edit it like in the SNES days.

[...] GamePolitics talked to Beth Llewelyn, Sr. Director of Corporate Communications at Nintendo concerning their feelings about Manhunt 2 for the Wii. [...]

At least the gang at Nintendo are very bright, unlike some people in our government and some people in Florida*glances evily at Jack Thompson*

[...] [...]

[...] Quelle: Gamepolitics   Bookmark: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. [...]

Creamy Goodness
ah but the PS2 didn't have it on games just the DVD part.

[...] Click here for Report [...]

[...] This is all dependent on the fun factor and responsiveness of the controls, but Manhunt 2 for the Wii could be a fantastic murder simulator for the M rated set. Following the announcement of Manhunt 2 by Rockstar on various consoles, GamePolitics took the obvious next step and asked Nintendo how they felt about having the ultra-violent game on their motion control system? [...]

"Least they are not asking for them to edit it like in the SNES days."
When you slash their throat, gray sweat pours out!

@Creamy Goodness
PS2 did not have parental controls. XBox 360 was the first major console to implement them.

I think they should have tried to enter the Wii with a M Rated, umm...area of sales (I dunno what to say), with a different game. I dunno; I can see what they're doing and what they're getting at. But I don't think they should have jumped into something so unequaled in its violence, but rather, start with something that is still Rated M, but that is, in general, more timid, before going for something like this. I just think it'd portray a better company image, but that's just me. I just hope I'm not being too confusing; I'm really not sure how to express my thought on this clearly.

[...] EDIT In the meantime, Rockstar Games put up a teaser site for the title. Also, Nintendo have spoken to GamePolitics about the game. Manhunt 2 is not developed or published by Nintendo. It is one of many titles released by third party publishers for our system that appeal to people of all ages and interests. Just as with movies, television, and books, different video games appeal to - and are appropriate for - different audiences. [...]

[...] Gamers joke wryly about “wii” on the Game Politics blog, “Slashing someone’s neck with a shard of glass? Simply move your Wii-mote right to left in a sweeping motion while pressing the B button…” Game Politics reports on the Florida attorney general’s issues with Manhunt 2’s Nintendo Wii interactive gaming platform where players can “act out” the violence, not just use a joystick. [...]

Besser kinder schlachten menschen im spiel ab als dass sie echte menschen in der wirklichen welt töten... ihr scheint da einiges zu vertauschen.

wenn amerikanische kinder vorbilder wie george w. bush und jeb bush haben ist es doch klar, dass sie bock zum töten und auf krieg haben.

Spielfiguren sind keine vorbilder... das sind die erwachsenen. und solange die scheiße im hirn sind, saufen, koksen und krieg machen werden eure kinder bestimmt nicht anders

ihr erntet nur dass was ihr gesäht habt

I'd love a feature in this game where you could go downtown to the bleeding hearts that are picketing against violent games and slash through them like bad apples!! THAT would be fun. Whiners.

Sad for those who think their views are the only correct ones and that we, the programmed ignorant masses, need their self-righteous guidance to keep us from experiencing our own versions of fun. Keep the title off the shelf. I'd prefer to find someone who's pissing me off and have a go at them instead.

[...] This is all dependent on the fun factor and responsiveness of the controls, but Manhunt 2 for the Wii could be a fantastic murder simulator for the M rated set. Following the announcement of Manhunt 2 by Rockstar on various consoles, GamePolitics took the obvious next step and asked Nintendo how they felt about having the ultra-violent game on their motion control system? Speaking for Nintendo, Beth Llewelyn, senior director of corporate communications, said, “Manhunt 2 is not developed or published by Nintendo. It is one of many titles released by third party publishers for our system that appeal to people of all ages and interests … retailers and purchasers are strongly encouraged to follow the age-specific ESRB ratings when considering what software to sell or buy. If parents are concerned about kids having access to inappropriate Wii games, we encourage them to utilize the PIN-operated Parental Control features built into Wii.” [...]