Manhunt game 'flying off shelves'

[Vampmon]

A computer game linked to the violent murder of a teenager has sold out of stores across the UK.
The parents of 14-year-old Stefan Pakeerah, claim his murderer had been inspired by the Manhunt game, although police have denied any link.

A number of major high street stores have withdrawn the game from sale. But at HMV, where it is on sale, demand has "significantly increased".

Stefan's family said they were "saddened" people still bought the game.

"It doesn't really come as surprise. They say no publicity is bad publicity. But I must say I'm saddened and disappointed," said Giselle Pakeera, Stefan's mother.

"The content of this game is contemptible. It's a societal hazard and my concern is to get it off the shelves as there's enough violence in society already."

Manhunt has sold out at HMV's branches in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and Belfast.

And HMV stores in London's Leicester Square and Oxford Circus and Aberdeen have recently restocked after running out of copies last week.

Stefan's family blamed the "serial murder simulation" for the death of their son.


However, Leicestershire Police said their investigations did not uncover any links with the game and said the motive for the murder had been robbery.

Raised profile

Warren Leblanc, 17, of Braunstone Frith, Leicester, last week pleaded guilty to Stefan's murder in February this year.

He had savagely beaten his friend with a claw hammer and stabbed him repeatedly after luring him to a local park to rob him.

The Dixons Group last week withdrew the game from its Dixons, Currys and PC World stores, while Game and Virgin Megastores have also pulled Manhunt.

HMV spokesman Gennaro Castaldo said: "Interest in Manhunt has significantly increased for all the wrong reasons. It's flying off the shelves.

"The great irony is that since it came out last year, sales of Manhunt had been negligible.

"People who had never heard of the game now want to buy it. Many think it's going to be banned and that lends a certain cachet."

Mr Castaldo said HMV had not followed Dixons example in withdrawing the game because it did not believe it should act as a censor.

Sales of the game have also been brisk at online auction house eBay, where many vendors mistakenly claim Manhunt has been banned.

Academic opinion over whether such games can affect adolescents is mixed, but many researchers say watching violent cartoons or games does alter younger children's behaviour in the short term.

BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/3535268.stm

[Atheist Icon]

That's bullshit...poor parenting is the reason the kid did what he did...parents are responsible for telling the kids right from wrong...

[black_magiic]

I really dont think manhunt caused the murder the parents are just looking for something to blame aside from the 17 year old. Even though i've played manhunt and I would have to say its pretty twisted.

[FrozenShadow23]

God, when will people stop blaming video games for everything, it's obviously MICROSOFT'S DOING!!! Damn dirty dogs....

Heh, but seriously, I don't know a single person that gets motivated to do stuff because of a videogame.

[broadwayrock]

.....and what about the fact that the police said they had found the game at the victim's house and not the killer's house.

[gajans]

The guy who killed him needed money to pay off debts to drug dealers plain and simple. The game had nothing to do with it

[XtraNtnse]

I didn't think the game was all that great. GTA-like graphics kinda blow.

[Malicious Intent]

"Game and Virgin Megastores have also pulled Manhunt. "

Funny that these are the first places to complain about falling sales!

HMV have nearly got the point, but they went to far. They should just have said, "why should we?" After all, this is a new low for video games caused such-and-such news.

Video games don't effect people.

XtraNtnse - One more word against GTA, and I'll be coming to flatten you in my stolen car!

[MoonMan]

Everyone loves using video games as a scapegoat. It's really just a tired effort now to pin every little somewhat related (I use that loosely) incident on the game industry.

[crackerjacker]

Everyone is responsible for their own actions. People always like to blame others for what they do.

[Elviz]

blaming videogames for his actions
poor stupid :tol

[newbornbliss]

has anyone ever heard of hmmmm lemme see.... goodfellas or scarface. videogames just get the shity end of the shit stick.

[Lord_of_the_Dense]

I think they're just getting the wrong games. When I mimicked Pac-Man and ate blue ghosts, no-one did anything. Then again, they wouldn't let us do much in Ward B.

[CCSDUDE]

Manhunt has been out in the states for PS2 for a long ass time...no one has decapitated someone with a shard of glass yet...

The PC version is better...but it still wouldn't have driven anyone to killing. The fucking dinks you whack are dressed up as gimp ass clowns for fucks sake!

Next it's gonna be Doom 3....

"Doom 3 made my son build a plasma rifle and kill his friends!" "Uh...miss....that was a handgun and your son shot your abusive husband...so shut the fuck up."

[spikky219]

stupid stupid stupid people

[origin]

yes.indeed.beyond the hype people can really be this iggnorant if parents had control over there children in the first place would they need to blame the video game makers for their poor parenting skills. take responsibility for your actions I know it sounds a bit extreme for a majority of the adults in america! but we gotta do what we gotta do! now grow up :)

btw manhunt sucked if u want that kind of ent just flip teh xbox or ps2 or pc and play u some gta or gta vc either way.

l8

[Whistler]

ccsdude doom 3 has no plasma rifle but it does have grenades get it right, I am curious what is your asl

[edit] upon further playing of doom 3 i realised it does have a plame gun, got confused by thought of the ut plasma rifle hehe

[shawners]

People will need someone to blame as they grief.. If blaming the video game makers get them through it.. so be it. Later after awhile, there going to start the need of blaming themselfs for not raising their kids more moraly proficient.

[Wolfie]

"The content of this game is contemptible. It's a societal hazard and my concern is to get it off the shelves as there's enough violence in society already."

The irony is that the news story has had an opposite effect on the sales. Some ppl who did not have an interest previously are probably buying/acquiring it just to see what the big fuss is about.

[CCSDUDE]

ccsdude doom 3 has no plasma rifle but it does have grenades get it right, I am curious what is your asl
Uh..the classic Doom had one...I haven't installed nor played 3 yet. It was just a sarcastic example anyway. :P

[Vampmon]

The parents of the murdered boy want Doom 3, The Suffering, Unreal Tournament, Manhunt, GTA, and others banned, i saw it in the newspaper last week, but the BBFC don't have the right to ban games unless it shows signs that it may harm people, and clearly Manhunt didn't.

[Lord_of_the_Dense]

At least not real people...

[onthebend]

I think they're just getting the wrong games. When I mimicked Pac-Man and ate blue ghosts, no-one did anything. Then again, they wouldn't let us do much in Ward B.
Well I will not mind if you eat me if you still have it in you to do such things.

[Signa]

Well I will not mind if you eat me if you still have it in you to do such things.


unless youre a girl, that was a REALLY REALLY gay thing to say on a thread that has been dead for months.

[Lord_of_the_Dense]

Signa..meet the many faces of Eve...aka CJ.

OK, now say goodbye.

btw, Signa, your responses are really no better than the ones used to re-open these threads.

[the great one]

I have Manhunt for the PS2 and I haven't found the need to kill anyone.But if that eat out offer was from the girl aka CJ well it sounds intriguing......................lol.

[black_magiic]

CJ is still up to her old tricks?

[Lord_of_the_Dense]

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rockstar Games, the world-renowned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is proud to announce Manhunt 2 for the PlayStation 2 system, PSP system, and Nintendo's Wii™. Manhunt 2 is the debut title from the newly formed Rockstar London studio, which is developing the game in conjunction with series creator Rockstar North. The Wii™ version is being developed by Rockstar Toronto. Manhunt 2 will be available this summer.

"With Manhunt 2 we have tried to create a game that stays close to the original concept of chilling suspense and stealth, whilst pushing the game design and storytelling forward," said Sam Houser, founder and executive producer of Rockstar Games. "We are also excited to have our newest development team, Rockstar London, working on the title alongside our two established UK studios, Rockstar North and Leeds."

For more information on Manhunt 2 please visit www.rockstargames.com.

Source (http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070206/20070206006140.html?.v=1)

[ConanObrien]

honestly i didnt think that manhunt is that violent... gta is much more

[wolfgreen]

the video was good to me

[Lord_of_the_Dense]

'Manhunt 2' game suspended

Video game publisher Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. said Thursday it was temporarily suspending the release of the violent video game "Manhunt 2" because of an ongoing ratings controversy in the United States and a ban in Britain and Ireland.

The New York-based company said in a statement that it needed time to "reviews its options" but would "continue to stand behind this extraordinary game."

"We believe in freedom of creative expression, as well as responsible marketing, both of which are essential to our business of making great entertainment," the company said.

Read entire story here (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070621/ap_on_hi_te/games_manhunt2_6;_ylt=AmhvfInqRudlyLHvHQ0kkS4E1vAI ).

[Lord_of_the_Dense]

Game suspension could boost interest

The decision by Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. to suspend distribution of the violent video game "Manhunt 2" could actually end up boosting demand from curious gamers, industry analysts said Friday.

Analysts do not believe the move will harm the company's long-term bottom line. And if the game ever sees the light of day, the current controversy could give the title "a lot more exposure that would actually benefit game sales in the long run," said Colin Sebastian, senior research analyst at Lazard Capital Markets.

"Manhunt 2," initially slated for a July release on Nintendo Co.'s Wii and Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 2, depicts the escape of an amnesiac scientist and a psychotic killer from an asylum and their subsequent epic killing spree.

Read entire story here (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070622/ap_on_hi_te/games_manhunt2_22;_ylt=Au7.C5bcTzexluSG9hKpnIYE1vA I).

[bestever24]

good thing us in the torrent community can get a nice family friendly games such as this regardless of the ban

[Lord_of_the_Dense]

You must mean "family fun" as in the Menendez Brothers.

[manwithnoname]

HMV spokesman Gennaro Castaldo said: "Interest in Manhunt has significantly increased for all the wrong reasons. It's flying off the shelves.

He's happy about that I'm sure