VAC gives decision on Manhunt 2; BBFC has no other option but to grant 18 rating

Gamers in UK will soon get their hands on the Nintendo Wii and PlayStation Portable video game Manhunt 2 as the Video Appeals Committee has decided again in favor of an 18 rating. The BBFC, now, has no other choice but to agree. More on this after the jump!

UK’s Video Appeals Committee is sending out word that it has decided the fate of Nintendo Wii and PlayStation Portable game Manhunt 2 for the region. The verdict was in favor of Rockstar Games and the video game community in general.

It should be remembered that the VAC had originally allowed Manhunt 2 to be released in UK. However, BBFC challenged the decision and brought the case to the High Court which quashed VAC’s original decision on grounds of errors of law.

Upon further review, the VAC has maintained its original decision to give Manhunt 2 a rating of 18 and not allow the game to be banned in the territory. The committee revealed that the new decision was reached by a majority vote of four to three.

BBFC, furthermore, now has no other option but to acquiesce to the decision of the Video Appeals Committee. It is in this light that board director David Cooke uttered the following statements:

We twice rejected Manhunt 2, and then pursued a judicial review challenge, because we considered, after exceptionally thorough examination, that it posed a real potential harm risk.

However, the Video Appeals Committee has again exercised its independent scrutiny. It is now clear, in the light of this decision, and our legal advice, that we have no alternative but to issue an “18” certificate to the game.

Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar Games have yet to issue official statements regarding this development but we imagine that the two are very satisfied at this point. Do check back here at QJ.NET for future updates regarding this.