As you most likely know, Manhunt 2 finally received classification for it’s UK release. After a protracted and highly publicised battle, Rockstar prevailed, although only after making changes to the game and resubmitting it, twice. The BBFC were disinclined to pass even the stripped down version, it took an independent judicial review and the Video Appeals Committee to finally settle the dispute.

The importance of the precedent set will be seen in the future, as games developers continue to push boundaries and in some senses, be more like their entertainment contemporaries in film and television. A cornerstone of Rockstar’s defense was that, in comparison to films such as the Saw franchise, Manhunt was on par in terms of gore and violence.

The full BBFC review of Manhunt 2 and it’s final classification can be found here. Ironically in the review it states “This work was passed, with no cuts made.” So reports of changes made to the game are lies then?

So, is this a victory for video games as an artistic medium? Or a failure for moral decency? That probably comes down to the individual and their tastes. It is good to see a sort of parity between films and games, the differences between the two mediums are becoming less prominent as technology advances, so it’s only fair that they are treated equally.

Finally, the question ‘who censors the censors?’ We know now, it’s the Video Appeals Committee.

See also: Former Games Magazine Editor Hails BBFC As Gold Standard