Rockstar's Manhunt BANNED In New Zealand!

MrWhereItsAt · December 12, 2003, 23:48

Apologies if this has already been posted, but I couldn't find it.This is an absolute first for NZ - no computer game has EVER been banned or edited here, to the best of my knowledge. Movies and TV shows that are banned elsewhere are largely approved for showing here.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydispl...ection=general

After believing the censors were actually on our side, this happens....

Of course this ruins my Xmas present idea for at least one person. Now, the only thing left to do is to find out where best to get this from.

Manhunt is available with an MA15 rating in Oz, where they normally ban games at the drop of a hat (BMX XXX for example, and the GTA's were edited before release). Can anyone tell me for sure whether there have been edits made to the game there, or is it complete should I order it from Oz?

Do US and Europe PS2 releases need a US/Europe PS2 to work? And if they DO, does legal multi-region DVD software that works on PS2s work for games as well?

Zylka · December 13, 2003, 00:57

OH NO MY SUPER EXPLOSION GAMES I SHOULD HAVE GROWN OUT OF IN GRADE 10 BOO HOO THE MAN FREEDOM OF PSYCHOTIC, MINDLESS GUN FIGHT SIUMLATIONS

Skanky Burns · December 13, 2003, 02:40

We do ban things at the drop of a hat. Or edit them to a mindless dribbling shell of their original otherwise. I would do a serious check to see if the Aussie version is altered before comitting to a purchase.

An MA15 rating compared to a ban... something is amiss.

Frozzy · December 13, 2003, 03:07

Those bastards. I was also going to get it for a mate for christmas, and the censors ban it.

Are they linked with the Labour Government? I'm voting for the fascist in the next elections!

Frozzy · December 13, 2003, 03:10

Quote:

Do US and Europe PS2 releases need a US/Europe PS2 to work? And if they DO, does legal multi-region DVD software that works on PS2s work for games as well?

No. I have a UK PS2 and run NZ games fine on them. They should be perfect. Remember that PS2s run DVD Region 4 only, so multi-region should work.

Agathon · December 13, 2003, 15:02

Remember when they banned Ice-T's "Cop Killer" song?

There's an easy solution to this. Acquire the game by "other means", and then send a money order for the full price of the game to the publisher with a note explaining that you wished to buy the game, but couldn't, and you don't like piracy so you are paying them the full price of the game.

Monk · December 13, 2003, 15:54

Double posting, who, me?

Monk · December 13, 2003, 15:55

Quote:

Originally posted by Agathon
Remember when they banned Ice-T's "Cop Killer" song?

There's an easy solution to this. Acquire the game by "other means", and then send a money order for the full price of the game to the publisher with a note explaining that you wished to buy the game, but couldn't, and you don't like piracy so you are paying them the full price of the game.

And risk getting reported to the police? You've got to be kidding

Agathon · December 13, 2003, 15:56

Quote:

Originally posted by Monk

And risk getting reported to the police? You've got to be kidding

I know what I'm talking about. It's the New Zealand Police.

mrmitchell · December 13, 2003, 21:02

Is it not disturbing that in a free society, where the ideals of freedom of speech, expression, and affiliation are used, cherished, and proclaimed, that a governing body can get away with such filthy moves like banning a game?

(okay, that's my profound thought of the day. move along folks

)

Space05us · December 13, 2003, 21:07

Quote:

Rockstar's Manhunt BANNED In New Zealand!

oh no! now no one will buy it!!

Quote:

Those bastards. I was also going to get it for a mate for christmas, and the censors ban it.

you can order it online and have it shipped to you. or do they check the mail for banned video games?

Nubclear · December 13, 2003, 21:15

Pira teit. non comprehende?

Frozzy · December 13, 2003, 21:17

Quote:

It's the New Zealand Police.

For ignorant foreigners, this is the same police force that puts 99% of it's officers on the road to catch us speeding, hiding behind sheds and in the dips on either side of the road where you can't see them.

Agathon · December 13, 2003, 21:28

Quote:

Originally posted by Frozzy

For ignorant foreigners, this is the same police force that puts 99% of it's officers on the road to catch us speeding, hiding behind sheds and in the dips on either side of the road where you can't see them.

Yeah, to join you have to have a stupid bushy moustache (even the chicks) and the mental capacity of a three year old.

You also have to pronounce the word "pleece" instead of "police".

Kuciwalker · December 13, 2003, 21:42

EDIT: Agathon,

@ your sig too

DaShi · December 14, 2003, 00:29

Who would buy such a sick game anyway?

Space05us · December 14, 2003, 00:35

Quote:

Who would buy such a sick game anyway?

I was actually tempted to pre-order it when I read the first part of the review which I did read. It sounded like something different, a break from your every day game-play. Then I read that the only objective was to kill, there was nothing else to do, at that point it sounded lame. Why kill someone without reason, or motive? They aren't even Hatian for crying out loud, so why bother?

mrmitchell · December 14, 2003, 00:39

Quote:

Who would buy such a sick game anyway?

Is that supposed to justify banning it?

DaShi · December 14, 2003, 00:43

Quote:

Originally posted by mrmitchell

Is that supposed to justify banning it?

No.

Agathon · December 14, 2003, 00:47

Quote:

Originally posted by Space05us

I was actually tempted to pre-order it when I read the first part of the review which I did read. It sounded like something different, a break from your every day game-play. Then I read that the only objective was to kill, there was nothing else to do, at that point it sounded lame. Why kill someone without reason, or motive? They aren't even Hatian for crying out loud, so why bother?

Man, where's your war face?

If you don't enjoy killing how can you be human?

Space05us · December 14, 2003, 00:52

Quote:

Man, where's your war face?

If you don't enjoy killing how can you be human?

Im a lover, not a fighter!

Kuciwalker · December 14, 2003, 00:55

Quote:

Originally posted by Agathon
Man, where's your war face?

If you don't enjoy killing how can you be human?

sig material

Agathon · December 14, 2003, 01:09

Quote:

Originally posted by skywalker

sig material

That ixnay one in yours is classic. I can't believe he actually said that.

Kuciwalker · December 14, 2003, 01:27

Who? ixnay or Dean?

Agathon · December 14, 2003, 01:31

Quote:

Originally posted by skywalker
Who? ixnay or Dean?

You know who I mean.

Kuciwalker · December 14, 2003, 01:34

just messing with you

Agathon · December 14, 2003, 01:36

Quote:

Originally posted by skywalker
just messing with you

I know...

MrWhereItsAt · December 14, 2003, 22:34

This just in...

The Chief Censor went on record on the radio as saying that if anyone was found brining the game into the country (even only for private use or as a gift), they would be fined $3000.

Scratch my idea of bringing it back from overseas!

WTF kind of decision is this?! I can understand banning it from sale here (if I don't necessarily agree), but this is almost classing it as a drug!

/me sighs

I guess it's time to find where I can email the Chief Censor's office and bug him about this.

mrmitchell · December 14, 2003, 22:44

the Chief Censor is kept in an undisclosed location, the only way to contact him is breaking through his elite guard and fighting down to the bottom lair of his 3000ft underground nuclear bunker pit. btw, the only entrance is the opening at the top of an active volcano

Sava · December 14, 2003, 22:51

wow, I guess the US isn't the closest "free country" to fascism... tell those ****ing censor ****s to move to north korea or china... ****ing stalinist ****s!

**** the new zealand government... they allow the filming of violent movies like The Last Samuria where guys get sliced and blown up, but a computer game? OH GOD LET'S BAN IT!!