First the UK banned Manhunt 2 from the country. Following the UK’s lead, came Ireland. This week, Sony and Nintendo said that they would refuse to publish the game if the ESRB gave the title an "AO" (adults only) rating.
Now, Take Two has announced that they will be suspending the release of Manhunt 2 in order to "review its options" but would still "continue to stand behind this extraordinary game."
Take- Two said, "We believe in freedom of creative expression, as well as responsible marketing, both of which are essential to our business of making great entertainment."
Reading between the lines, what they probably mean is, "Holy crap. The ESRB is giving us an AO rating. We’d better fix this game fast before we lose our butts over lost game sales."
Manhunt 2 was originally scheduled for a July 10 release, but now, the launch date is on hold so that the more violent graphic elements of the game can be redone.
Many large big box retail chains such as Wal-mart and Best Buy have a zero-tolerance "AO" games policy. Add Sony and Nintendo in refusing to publish AO games and you wind up with one big sinkhole for lost revenues.
