ESRB Upholds Manhunt 2 Rating

The ESRB has investigated the Manhunt 2 hacking/content issue (see our previous posthere), and has upheld the game's current M rating. The ESRB concluded that the content that is accessible by hacking the PSP and PS2 versions does not justify restoring an Adults Only rating.

The ESRB acknowledged that when a game receives an unfavourable rating, developers often cover up or disable certain content rather than removing it altogether, and that such practices are acceptable even though the hidden content is often accessible to determined hackers.

Despite the ESRB's findings, prominent retailer Target has decided not to stock either the PSP or PS2 version of Manhunt 2.

The ESRB also said that both the ESRB and Rockstar took approriate action and responded appropriately to the situation. Critics will no doubt regard this a self-serving statement, but cooler heads might view the episode as evidence that the ESRB can indeed regulate the game industry.

Coverage at IGN and at GameDaily News.