Europe’s Manhunt 2 green-lighted…in Holland

Manhunt 2 - Image 1While gamers in parts of Europe have a long road ahead regarding their copy of Take-Two Interactive‘s Manhunt 2 (PSP, Wii), word is out that the game is expected to be released in the Netherlands. According to Holland Justice Minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin, this is because existing Dutch laws do not authorize banning games due to violent content.

The Minster noted that theoretically, it would still be possible to prosecute people who distributed the game to people under the age of 16 provided the images were violent enough. “The current law is based on the principle that every adult is considered capable of deciding for himself which games he wants to play, unless it contains illegal material,” said Mr. Ballin in a letter to the Dutch Parliament.

Ballin further noted that the decision of what sort of video games children are allowed to play is “the joint responsibility of parents, the audiovisual industry and the government.” Ballin wrote in the letter a plea for unified EU standard for video game ratings. As it stands, Manhunt 2 has been re-rated M by North America’s ESRB, and has been cleared for an October 31 launch in the region.

Via Forbes

Manhunt 2 - Image 1While gamers in parts of Europe have a long road ahead regarding their copy of Take-Two Interactive‘s Manhunt 2 (PSP, Wii), word is out that the game is expected to be released in the Netherlands. According to Holland Justice Minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin, this is because existing Dutch laws do not authorize banning games due to violent content.

The Minster noted that theoretically, it would still be possible to prosecute people who distributed the game to people under the age of 16 provided the images were violent enough. “The current law is based on the principle that every adult is considered capable of deciding for himself which games he wants to play, unless it contains illegal material,” said Mr. Ballin in a letter to the Dutch Parliament.

Ballin further noted that the decision of what sort of video games children are allowed to play is “the joint responsibility of parents, the audiovisual industry and the government.” Ballin wrote in the letter a plea for unified EU standard for video game ratings. As it stands, Manhunt 2 has been re-rated M by North America’s ESRB, and has been cleared for an October 31 launch in the region.

Via Forbes

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