Well, duh!

Take Two software indefinitely postponed the release of the controversial Manhunt 2.

After reading a preview of the game at Gamespot, I am beginning to understand why the game received an Adults Only rating.

The control scheme for the Wii controller basically has the user emulate the actions on screen; move the controller in a stabbing motion to stab someone for example. While I think as adults one should be allowed to play whatever games they choose, the reality is some un-educated parent is going to pick up this game, ignore the rating and walk in on their kids decapitating someone with a virtual garrote.

Uh-oh, AO!

The ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) has given the upcoming Manhunt 2 from Take Two software an Adults-Only (AO) rating. The AO rating is the "kiss of death" for software titles because most retailers will not stock the titles and the major console makers (Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft) will not allow AO rated software on their machine.

Is anyone really surprised? After the Hot Coffee debacle, Doug Lowenstein and the ESA (Entertainment Software Association) took a huge amount of heat for a problem that was not their responsibility. Take Two did everything but the right thing when the code was uncovered letting the ESA take the heat.

I don't think this is a case of sour grapes. However, they did rate the original Manhunt M.

Take Two has 30 days to address the initial ranking from the ESRB. Manhunt 2 has already been banned in the UK. The company has yet to comment on its next steps.

It will very interesting to see how the company handles this issue considering the title was scheduled to be on store shelves in three weeks.