Irish Film Censor bans violent video game

Ireland has joined the UK in banning the controversial violent video game Manhunt 2, it was confirmed today.

The Irish Film Censors Office (IFCO) said it contained gross acts of violence, making it the first video game to be banned in the State.

This comes after it was announced yesterday the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) rejected the same game because of its brutal and explicit content.

“A prohibition order has been made by IFCO in relation to the video game Manhunt 2,” said a statement posted on the Film Censor’s website.

“The Order was made under Sec 7 (1) (b) of the Video Recordings Act 1989 which refers to acts of gross violence or cruelty (including mutilation and torture).

“IFCO recognises that in certain films, DVDs and video games, strong graphic violence may be a justifiable element within the overall context of the work.

“However, in the case of Manhunt 2, IFCO believes that there is no such context, and the level of gross, unrelenting and gratuitous violence is unacceptable.”

The banning marks the first time a video game has been prohibited in Ireland, and the first to be refused British classification in a decade.

BBFC director David Cooke said: “Rejecting a work is a very serious action and one which we do not take lightly.

“Where possible we try to consider cuts or, in the case of games, modifications which remove the material which contravenes the Board’s published guidelines.”

The original Manhunt game was given an 18 classification in 2003.

Manhunt 2, for PS2 and Nintendo Wii consoles, is made by Rockstar Games.