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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2007
Contact:
Darin Broton, 952-851-7286
Jason Sprenger. 952-851-1602
Tunheim Partners
Statement on Take-Two Interactive’s Decision to

“Temporarily Suspend” Distribution of Manhunt 2



Minneapolis -
The National Institute on Media and the Family today released the following statement in response to Take-Two Interactive Software’s decision to “temporarily suspend” distribution of Manhunt 2. This announcement was in response to the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) issuing an “Adults-Only” rating for the game and Nintendo and Sony’s decisions to deny Manhunt 2 a license for their products.

“Take-Two’s decision to temporarily suspend distribution of Manhunt 2 is a victory for parents and children.

“Because of the their thoughtful decision to give Manhunt 2 its strongest rating, “Adults-Only,” the ESRB has sent a strong message to Take-Two and other game makers that they no longer can push the envelope on gratuitous violence in video games. The ESRB showed real leadership in assigning this rating and further evidence it is making significant progress in keeping extremely violent and graphic materials out of children’s hands.

“Hopefully Take-Two has learned from its Manhunt 2 experience and will undertake preventive measures to ensure its future games, including Grand Theft Auto IV, are appropriate for families and gamers.

“As gaming technology continues to change, we hope to continue to work with the ESRB to ensure that future games have appropriate content and context for children. The uniqueness of Nintendo’s Wii gives game raters a new challenge when it comes to first-player shooter games. We take the ESRB’s decision about Manhunt 2 as a positive step in addressing this new challenge.”

About the National Institute on Media and the Family
The National Institute on Media and the Family is the world's leading and most respected research-based organization on the positive and harmful effects of media on children and youth. The National Institute on Media and the Family is an independent non-partisan, non-sectarian, nonprofit organization. The Institute’s mission is to maximize the benefits and minimize the harm mass media have on children through research and education. For more information, visit www.mediawise.org on the Web or call 1-888-672-5437

 

 
 
 
 
  © National Institute on Media and the Family.