My rant to the BBFC

This was the first email I sent to them:

My name is Jonathan McEvoy,

I am a gamer and a fan of the game ‘Manhunt’. I find in very silly that you
guys have banned ‘Manhunt 2’. You say it has "unremitting bleakness and
callousness of tone...which constantly encourages visceral killing with
exceptionally little alleviation or distancing".

I find that easy to believe as I have played the first game. I also think
that is not the only reason you guys have banned this game. I think you
guys banned it because of that sad incident where a young boy was murdered
by his friend who claimed he was inspired by the game ‘Manhunt’. I think
that the boy was warped before he played the game and I don’t feel the game
was to blame. If anyone was to blame it was his parents who didn’t shield
him from playing games with an ’18’ certificate.

I am almost sure that nearly all of mature gamers can distinguish between
fantasy and reality, so much so that playing a game like ‘Manhunt 2’ would
not inspire them to go on a killing spree. You state that killings are
encouraged in the game, well yes THAT’S the point! You are a man trying to
find out why you have been imprisoned, you are coming up against some
unsavoury individuals. I find that the BBFC have been very judgmental in
their decision of banning this game, so much so that it smacks of
mollycoddling and is downright predijuice! You are trying to tell adults
what games they can play as if playing a game like this would incite
violence? You guys obviously don’t get out much, it’s like a corporation
run by clones of David Cameron.

I strongly feel you guys should lift the ban and allow the game to be sold
in Britain. Even the police stated that there was no evidence to suggest
that the previous game played no part in any murders. The BBFC is just
becoming more PC than ever, which is ruining the entertainment in this
country."

I just feel that the BBFC is trying to make an example of Manhunt 2 and
frankly it is childish. I feel the game should be released but to purchase
it you need a passport or proof of I.D. I also feel that if it is released
it should NOT be available online, as the younger generation would find
that an easy way of aquiring it. Please see sense and release this game,
banning it is doing no good as you have now just made people want it more,
so in essence, banning it has had the reverse effect to what you desired.


Yours Truly, Jonathan McEvoy

And here is their reply:

Dear Jonathan McEvoy

Thank you for your email.

We were aware that any connection between the first MANHUNT and the murder
of Stefan Pakeerah was disproved, and consequently discounted by the
authorities in their investigation of the case. This tragic incident played
no part in our decision.

The BBFC classifies videos, DVDs and some digital works under the Video
Recordings Act 1984. Our classification decision on MANHUNT 2 was made in
accordance with our classification guidelines. These guidelines are a
product of both experience and an extensive public consultation process.
They are available on our main website - http://www.bbfc.co.uk - under the
section entitled 'downloads'.

You will find it useful to read our press releases which explain in full
our decision on MANHUNT 2. These are available on our main website under
the section entitled 'news', and then 'press'. The relevant releases are
dated 19 June and 08 October 2007.

Thank you for taking the time and trouble to express your interesting
views.

Yours sincerely,


J L Green
Chief Assistant (Policy)

And here is my reply to their reply lol:

Dear J L Green,

Many thanks for your speedy reply, I understand your numerous reasons for finding Manhunt 2 distasteful but you must understand that the game is made by ADULTS for ADULTS. To stop children getting hold of the game, or any like it, harsher guidelines must be put in place. These guidelines however, must not interfer with the target audiences' demand. These games should not be banned from adults just because there is a risk that a child might get hold of it. What you are doing is infringing on a persons right to choose. I fully understand that the BBFC is there to rate films and digital media appropriately, however they must be fair.

I feel, as i'm sure many others do, that you are making an example of Manhunt 2 to satisfy the stuffy critics of violent video games, and also because there is presently an investigation ongoing about the effects they have, which I am sure you are trying to please also. It is not the right of the BBFC to decide wether we adults can or cannot play such games, you are just there to rate them appropriately. I heard there is a scene in the game where an enemy is 'castrated' by the player in order for him to progress. Rockstar had this scene cut from the game, which I am led to believe was at the BBFC's behest, yet a similar scene occurs in the movie 'Hostel: Part II', which you guys rated an '18'. What is it? One rule for them, and a different rule for the rest of us? Surely you can see my point? I mean I am not the only one who feels so strongly about your conservative view of the game.

It's not only because I want to play the game that I am complaining, it's because I find it very unjust that a ratings board can tell us, Joe Public, what we can and cannot play, it practically borders on communism.

You need to understand that this will never go away, it's not just gamers making a stand for Manhunt 2, it's the gaming public making a stand for all the 'scapegoats' the BBFC find to show they are 'doing their part for the community', practically it smacks of appealing to the masses. See sense, lift the ban and release the game UNCUT!

Yours truly,

Jonathan McEvoy

I will post their new reply when I get it.

Can I just add that this is my new campaign. I will not rest until this game is released UNCUT!



Mr White: "You shoot me in a dream, you better wake up and apologise!"