Analysts: Manhunt 2 controversy could increase sales

Financial analysts are certainly having a field day with Manhunt 2, with its recent banning and all. They’ve tried to predict what Take-Two will do regarding their ultra-violent title, they’ve guessed as to why the publishing firm is getting all this bad rap – and now, they’re saying that Manhunt 2‘s suspension could actually end up boosting the game’s sales.

Colin Sebastian of Lazard Capital Markets is one of those analysts, saying that he doesn’t believe the move to suspend Manhunt 2 will actually hurt the company’s bottom line in the long run, but instead increase the game’s exposure – thus boosting demand when it hits store shelves.

He also believes, as we’ve reported in an earlier article, that Take-Two will probably do what it has to do to lower the game’s rating from the current Adults Only to a softer, more accessible Mature rating. And while it’s a given that stores such as Wal-Mart will always be wary about customer backlash, the controversy itself is already free publicity – and savvy store-owners will take the risk of selling a Mature title that’s already popular beyond belief.

Sebastian also notes that even if Manhunt 2 does tank, the struggling publisher still has an ace up its sleeve – namely, the upcoming Grand Theft Auto IV – to fall back on. He puts it like so:

Relative to Grand Theft Auto it’s [Manhunt 2] a lot less significant. Grand Theft Auto is the key driver. This is a second-tier title.

Well, for a second-tier title, it’s certainly getting first-tier attention. And while it’s very possible that controversy could actually boost sales, it could also work the opposite way if the game itself gets overhyped and for some reason it doesn’t deliver what it’s promised to do. One thing’s for sure, though, is that it’s violent as heck.

Further updates about Manhunt 2 as we get them.

Financial analysts are certainly having a field day with Manhunt 2, with its recent banning and all. They’ve tried to predict what Take-Two will do regarding their ultra-violent title, they’ve guessed as to why the publishing firm is getting all this bad rap – and now, they’re saying that Manhunt 2‘s suspension could actually end up boosting the game’s sales.

Colin Sebastian of Lazard Capital Markets is one of those analysts, saying that he doesn’t believe the move to suspend Manhunt 2 will actually hurt the company’s bottom line in the long run, but instead increase the game’s exposure – thus boosting demand when it hits store shelves.

He also believes, as we’ve reported in an earlier article, that Take-Two will probably do what it has to do to lower the game’s rating from the current Adults Only to a softer, more accessible Mature rating. And while it’s a given that stores such as Wal-Mart will always be wary about customer backlash, the controversy itself is already free publicity – and savvy store-owners will take the risk of selling a Mature title that’s already popular beyond belief.

Sebastian also notes that even if Manhunt 2 does tank, the struggling publisher still has an ace up its sleeve – namely, the upcoming Grand Theft Auto IV – to fall back on. He puts it like so:

Relative to Grand Theft Auto it’s [Manhunt 2] a lot less significant. Grand Theft Auto is the key driver. This is a second-tier title.

Well, for a second-tier title, it’s certainly getting first-tier attention. And while it’s very possible that controversy could actually boost sales, it could also work the opposite way if the game itself gets overhyped and for some reason it doesn’t deliver what it’s promised to do. One thing’s for sure, though, is that it’s violent as heck.

Further updates about Manhunt 2 as we get them.