Jump to content

Manhunt (video game)

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Manhunt
Cover art for the video game Manhunt, depicting a shadowy figure's head with a headset, against a gritty urban backdrop.
Developer(s)Rockstar North
Publisher(s)Rockstar Games
Producer(s)
Programmer(s)
  • John Whyte[1]
  • Obbe Vermeij
  • Adam Fowler
Artist(s)
  • Andy Hay[1]
  • Aaron Garbut
Writer(s)
Composer(s)Craig Conner[1]
EngineRenderWare
Platform(s)
ReleasePlayStation 2
  • NA: November 19, 2003
  • EU: November 21, 2003
Windows, Xbox
  • NA: April 20, 2004
  • EU: April 23, 2004
Genre(s)Stealth
Mode(s)Single-player
See More

Manhunt is a 2003 stealth video game developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It was initially released for the PlayStation 2 in November 2003, and later for Windows and Xbox in April 2004.[2][3] Set in the fictional Carcer City, the game follows James Earl Cash, a death row inmate who is forced by a shadowy figure known as "The Director" to participate in a series of brutal snuff films, which involve him systematically murdering members of criminal gangs sent to hunt him.

The game garnered generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its gritty atmosphere, dark nihilistic tone, and intense, visceral gameplay, considering it a unique and challenging experience. However, it also drew criticism for repetitive level design and clunky combat mechanics, particularly in later stages. Manhunt became one of the most controversial video games of all time due to its graphic violence, leading to it being banned in several countries and becoming the subject of intense media scrutiny. It was inaccurately implicated in a murder in the United Kingdom, an accusation later dismissed by police and courts.

Despite not being a major commercial success compared to Rockstar's other franchises, Manhunt developed a significant cult following. A sequel, Manhunt 2, was released in 2007. The game was later re-released via the PlayStation Network for the PlayStation 3 in 2013 and the PlayStation 4 in 2016.

Gameplay

[edit]
An example of stealth gameplay in Manhunt; protagonist James Earl Cash hides in the shadows from an enemy hunter, preparing for a stealth execution.

Manhunt is a stealth-action game played from a third-person perspective. The game is structured into twenty levels, referred to as "scenes", with an additional four unlockable bonus scenes.[2] Players control the protagonist, James Earl Cash, as he navigates these scenes, with the primary objective being survival through the elimination of hostile gang members, known as "Hunters". While firearms become available later in the game, the core gameplay emphasizes stealthy executions.[4]

At the conclusion of each scene, players receive a rating from one to five stars based on their performance. This rating influences the unlocking of bonus content. On the "Fetish" (normal) difficulty, a maximum of four stars can be earned: one for completing the scene within a specified time, and one to three stars for the brutality of the executions performed. On "Hardcore" (hard) difficulty, a fifth star is available for overall performance. Achieving the maximum star rating requires performing a specific number of brutal executions; direct, face-to-face combat does not contribute to the brutality score.[4]

Executions are performed by approaching an enemy from behind undetected. The game environment features "dark spots" (shadows) where Cash can hide and remain invisible to enemies unless they witness him entering the shadow. A common tactic involves luring enemies by making noise (e.g., tapping on a wall), waiting for them to investigate and turn away, and then ambushing them.[5] There are three levels of execution, each increasingly graphic: "Hasty" (quick, less bloody), "Violent" (more gory), and "Gruesome" (extremely bloody). The level of execution is determined by how long the player holds the attack button while locked onto an enemy from behind; the lock-on reticule changes color (white, then yellow, then red) to indicate the escalating brutality level.[6][7]

A diverse array of melee weapons can be utilized, including plastic bags, baseball bats, crowbars, and various bladed instruments. Firearms such as handguns, shotguns, and rifles become available in later scenes. Cash's health depletes when he takes damage but can be replenished by finding and using painkillers scattered throughout levels.[5] A stamina meter decreases with sprinting and automatically refills when stationary.[4] The PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions support their respective optional USB microphones. If connected, players can use their own voice to distract enemies (e.g., by speaking or coughing), and The Director's commands are heard through the headset, enhancing immersion. This feature requires players to manage real-world sounds, as unintended noises can alert nearby Hunters.[4]

Synopsis

[edit]

Setting

[edit]

Manhunt takes place in the fictional Carcer City, a decaying and corrupt Rust Belt metropolis overwhelmed by crime and urban decay.[8][9] The city is overrun by numerous violent street gangs, each with distinct territories and characteristics, who serve as the primary antagonists hunting the player.[10] The game exists within the same fictional universe as the Grand Theft Auto series, with references to Carcer City appearing in several GTA titles.[11]

Plot

[edit]

In 2003 Carcer City, a news report by journalist Kate Miller (voiced by Kate Miller[1]) details the supposed execution of James Earl Cash (Stephen Wilfong[1]), a death row inmate. However, Cash was only heavily sedated. He awakens to the voice of "The Director" (Brian Cox[1]) speaking through an earpiece. The Director, a shadowy filmmaker, promises Cash his freedom if he participates in a series of snuff film "scenes" by brutally murdering "Hunters"—members of various gangs—across desolate parts of the city, all captured by CCTV.

Cash is initially pitted against "The Hoods", a gang of street thugs, in an abandoned district. After surviving their onslaught, he is abducted by "The Cerberus", the Director's private security force, and transported to new locations. Under the Director's voyeuristic guidance, Cash is forced to eliminate more gangs: "The Skinz", a white power skinhead group; "The Wardogs", a sadistic paramilitary outfit led by General Ramirez (Chris McKinney[1]); "The Innocentz", comprising the occult-themed "Skullyz" and the disturbing "Babyfaces" (consisting of pedophiles and mentally unhinged individuals); and "The Smileys", a gang of deranged former asylum inmates.

Eventually, the Director, having captured enough footage, betrays Cash, ordering his death to serve as the film's climax and revealing he also had Cash's family murdered. Cash survives the Director's trap and escapes, vowing revenge. Ramirez and the remaining Wardogs pursue Cash, culminating in a confrontation where Cash kills Ramirez. He is then found by Kate Miller, who reveals the Director's identity as Lionel Starkweather, a disgraced former film producer from Los Santos who now orchestrates a vast snuff film operation. Miller has gathered evidence against Starkweather and needs Cash's help to retrieve it from her apartment.

Starkweather coerces corrupt Carcer City Police Chief Gary Schaffer into deploying his forces to eliminate Cash and Miller. The pair evade the police, retrieve the evidence, and Cash instructs Miller to take it and flee the city while he deals with Starkweather. Pursued by police and SWAT teams, Cash is cornered but unexpectedly "rescued" by the Cerberus, who intend to deliver him to Starkweather's mansion for a final, staged execution.

At the mansion, the Cerberus are momentarily distracted when Piggsy (Hunter Platin[1]), a monstrous, chainsaw-wielding man whom Starkweather kept chained in the attic as a "star", breaks free. Cash escapes his captors and confronts Piggsy. Using stealth, Cash weakens Piggsy before luring him onto a fragile grate, which collapses. Cash then uses Piggsy's own chainsaw to kill him. After dispatching the remaining Cerberus guards, Cash confronts Starkweather in his private chambers and brutally murders him with the chainsaw.

As media and legitimate law enforcement converge on the mansion, Miller's evidence exposes Starkweather's snuff ring and Schaffer's corruption, leading to widespread arrests. Cash's whereabouts, however, remain unknown.

Development

[edit]

Rockstar North initiated development of Manhunt in the early 2000s, utilizing the RenderWare game engine, which had previously powered their successful Grand Theft Auto titles.[12] In September 2003, GamesMaster magazine featured a preview, stating, "[Rockstar North has] scraped its imagination to further twist the way games are made in the future and delivers a chiseled, no-apologies assault on gaming standards. [...] it possesses a warped subtlety that questions game reality... It creates a barren, harsh, violent experience and then punctures it with something trippy and darkly comic..."[13] A former Rockstar employee later revealed in a retrospective piece that the game's intense focus on visceral violence caused considerable internal debate and discomfort within the company, nearly leading to a "mutiny". The employee noted, "We had already weathered plenty of controversy over Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City—we were no strangers to it—but Manhunt felt different. With GTA, we always had the excuse that the gameplay was untethered—you never had to hurt anybody that wasn't a 'bad guy' in one of the missions... but Manhunt was all about the violence."[14]

Manhunt was officially announced at the E3 convention in May 2003.[15] Initially scheduled for an October 2003 release,[16][17] it was ultimately released for the PlayStation 2 on November 19, 2003, in North America, and November 21, 2003, in Europe.[18][19] In its first month, Manhunt sold approximately 75,000 copies in the United States, significantly less than Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto titles.[20] Despite these initial sales figures,[21] ports for Windows and Xbox were developed and released on April 20, 2004, in North America, and April 23, 2004, in Europe.[22][23][24] Promotional merchandise, including official soundtracks, a Piggsy figurine, and a handheld voice changer, were released as limited editions or pre-order bonuses.[25]

The game was made available on Steam on January 4, 2008.[26][27] Manhunt was offered as a free bonus for pre-orders of the PC version of Manhunt 2 in November 2009.[28] On May 14, 2013, it was released on the PlayStation Store for the PlayStation 3 as part of the PS2 Classics line.[29] A PlayStation 4 version followed on March 22, 2016, featuring upscaled 1080p resolution and trophy support.[30]

Reception

[edit]

The PlayStation 2 and PC versions of Manhunt received "generally favorable reviews", while the Xbox version received "mixed or average reviews", according to the review aggregator website Metacritic.[55][56][57] As of March 26, 2008, the Manhunt series had sold 1.7 million copies worldwide.[58] At the 7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards (now D.I.C.E. Awards), the game was nominated for "Console Action/Adventure Game of the Year".[59] Manhunt received a "Gold" sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA),[60] indicating sales of at least 200,000 copies in the United Kingdom.[61]

The game's bleak, nihilistic atmosphere and unflinchingly violent presentation were highlighted by many critics as unique within the video game landscape. GameSpot stated, "like it or not, the game pushes the envelope of video game violence and shows you countless scenes of wholly uncensored, heavily stylized carnage."[5] Game Informer lauded the PS2 version for its audacity and solid technical execution, writing, "it's a frightening premise that places gamers in a psychological impasse. The crimes that you commit are unspeakable, yet the gameplay that leads to these horrendous acts is so polished and fierce that it's thrilling."[36] IGN commended the PS2 version for its challenge, calling it a "solid, deep experience for seasoned gamers pining for some hardcore, challenging games".[2] Edge awarded the PS2 version an 8 out of 10, noting, "Like GTA, there's more to this than shock and awe. Within its linear structure there is a lot of freedom within which to act, much more so than both Splinter Cell and Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, the titles which Manhunt most closely resembles."[62]

Toronto Star writer Ben Rayner defended the game's controversial content, arguing its violence reflected contemporary societal issues and entertainment trends:

As entertainment and cultural artefact, Manhunt is totally disturbing. But so is the evening news, the "I'll eat anything for money" lunacy of Fear Factor and the unfettered, misanthropic gunplay of Bad Boys II, so I will defend until my last breath Rockstar's right to sell this stuff to me and anyone else who wants it... Do I think games such as these could have dire psychological consequences, particularly for young people? As always, I remain agnostic on the matter... And, curiously, no one has complained about or tried to ban SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs, in which stealth and killing figure even more heavily than in Manhunt.[63]

The Chicago Tribune particularly praised Manhunt, viewing it as a landmark title:

Manhunt is easily the most violent game ever made... But Manhunt also is the A Clockwork Orange of video games, holding your eyes open so as to not miss a single splatter – asking you, is this really what you enjoy watching? Had Manhunt been poorly made... the game would have been shameful and exploitative. What elevates it to a grotesque, chilling work of art is both presentation and game play... If Manhunt succeeds at retail, it will say more about America's fascination with violence than any political discourse or social debate. That makes Manhunt the most important video game of the last five years.[64]

Despite the praise, some gameplay aspects drew criticism. The shooting mechanics were described as "frustrating" by Eurogamer, which noted that "more than half the time the targeting reticule refuses to acknowledge an oncoming enemy until they're virtually in front of you."[34] GameSpot echoed this, pointing out that the "AI is much worse in the more action-oriented levels".[5] 1UP.com remarked that players might quickly become "tired of [the] violence... AI quirks [and] repetitive level design."[6]

Controversy

[edit]
Manhunt garnered significant controversy for its graphic execution sequences. This image depicts Cash suffocating an enemy with a plastic bag, one of the game's many execution methods.

The primary source of controversy surrounding Manhunt was its graphic and visceral depiction of violence, particularly the player-controlled executions. In 2007, former Rockstar employee Jeff Williams stated that the game's extreme content caused unease even among staff: "there was almost a mutiny at the company over that game."[65] Williams elaborated that the game "just made us all feel icky. It was all about the violence, and it was realistic violence. We all knew there was no way we could explain away that game. There was no way to rationalize it. We were crossing a line."[14]

The game's violence attracted criticism from public figures, including U.S. Representative Joe Baca, who sponsored legislation to fine retailers selling adult-rated games to minors. Baca commented that Manhunt "is telling kids how to kill someone, and it uses vicious, sadistic and cruel methods to kill".[66] Media outlets also weighed in; The Globe and Mail described Manhunt as "a venal disconnect for the genre... less a video game and more a weapon of personal destruction... Perhaps the scariest fact of all: Manhunt is so user-friendly that any sharp 12-year-old could navigate through the entire game in one sitting."[67]

Murder of Stefan Pakeerah

[edit]

On July 28, 2004, Manhunt was linked in UK media reports to the murder of 14-year-old Stefan Pakeerah by his 17-year-old friend, Warren Leblanc, in Leicestershire, England. Initial reports alleged that police found a copy of the game in Leblanc's possession. Stefan's parents, Giselle and Patrick Pakeerah, publicly asserted that the game influenced Leblanc and contributed to their son's murder.[68][69][70] The Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) expressed sympathy but rejected a causal link, emphasizing the game's 18 certificate (intended for adults only).[71] Several UK retailers, including Game and Dixons Group, temporarily removed Manhunt from their shelves. Rockstar Games reiterated the game's adult rating and denied any connection to the crime.[72] The controversy spurred increased consumer demand for the game.[73]

Anti-video game activist Jack Thompson claimed he had warned Rockstar about potential copycat killings before the game's release.[74] He was briefly retained by the Pakeerahs for a proposed £50 million wrongful death lawsuit against Sony Computer Entertainment and Rockstar Games.[75] However, on August 5, 2004, Leicestershire Police officially denied any link between the game and the murder, stating that robbery was the motive and, crucially, that the copy of Manhunt in question was found in the victim Stefan Pakeerah's bedroom, not Leblanc's.[76][77][78] The presiding judge at Leblanc's trial placed sole responsibility for the murder on Leblanc. The Pakeerahs' lawsuit was subsequently dropped.[citation needed]

The controversy resurfaced with the announcement of Manhunt 2 in February 2007. The Pakeerahs condemned its development,[79] while Rockstar's parent company, Take-Two Interactive, reiterated that authorities had refuted any connection between the original game and the Pakeerah murder.[80] Jack Thompson also attempted to have Manhunt 2 banned, reasserting his claims about the Pakeerah case.[81] His legal efforts against Take-Two eventually led to his disbarment.[82]

[edit]
  • New Zealand: Manhunt was initially banned on December 11, 2003, by the OFLC, making possession an offense.[83][84][85] Chief Censor Bill Hastings stated, "it's a game where the only thing you do is kill everybody you see... which is injurious to the public good."[86] However, in 2023, the OFLC reconsidered Manhunt and reclassified it as R18 (restricted to adults 18 and over).[87]
  • Australia: Initially rated MA15+, the game was effectively banned in September 2004 after the Classification Review Board upheld an appeal by then Attorney-General Philip Ruddock, mandating a recall.[88] Approximately 18,000 copies had been sold prior to the recall.[89]
  • Canada: In Ontario, following a meeting between Hastings and provincial officials, Manhunt became the first video game to be classified as a film and was restricted to adults on February 3, 2004. Other Canadian jurisdictions, such as British Columbia, found the ESRB's "Mature" rating appropriate.[90]
  • Germany: The Amtsgericht (District Court) in Munich confiscated the PlayStation 2 version on July 19, 2004, citing violation of § 131 StGB (representation of violence). The court argued the game glorified violence and vigilantism.[91] Other versions were indexed (placed on a list of media harmful to young persons).[92]

Steam release DRM issues

[edit]

The retail PC version of Manhunt included two layers of digital rights management (DRM): the SecuROM copy protection system and several internal game-breaking mechanisms designed to activate if SecuROM was bypassed or missing. When preparing the game for its Steam release, Rockstar Games, intending to remove third-party DRM, reportedly re-released it using an existing crack by the warez group Razor 1911. This was discovered by the community in 2010. Rockstar subsequently issued an update that removed SecuROM but did not fully address the proprietary game-breaking measures. This resulted in the version sold on Steam being unintentionally broken for many users, with issues like non-functional gates and doors impeding progress. These problems were often misinterpreted as compatibility issues with modern operating systems until 2023, when it became clearer that the Steam release still contained active anti-piracy mechanisms due to the incomplete DRM removal process.[93] This has led to numerous negative reviews on Steam, complaining about both the game-breaking bugs and the initial distribution of a cracked version. Community-made patches are often required to make the Steam version fully playable.

Legacy

[edit]
See also: Manhunt 2

Despite, or perhaps partly due to, its controversy, Manhunt has cultivated a strong cult following.[29] In March 2016, a Vice article cited it as one of Rockstar's "very best" and most audacious games, praising its unflinching vision.[94] Similarly, Game Informer referred to the game as a "dark, underappreciated masterpiece" in a 2016 retrospective.[95] VentureBeat recognized it as an example of the "best of gaming horror" in October 2011.[96] The game was included in the book 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die (2010)[97] and was listed at #85 in IGN's "Top 100 PlayStation 2 Games" in 2010.[98]

A sequel, Manhunt 2, was developed by Rockstar London and released in October 2007 in North America and October 2008 in Europe, facing its own significant controversies regarding violence and ratings.[99][100] While retaining core stealth mechanics, Manhunt 2 features a new protagonist and storyline separate from the original game.[101]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Rockstar Games (2004). "MANHUNT" (Video game manual - Windows edition). New York, NY: Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. pp. 14–15. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d Perry, Douglass C. (November 18, 2003). "Manhunt Review (PS2)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on August 26, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  3. ^ "Manhunt on Steam". Steam. Valve. Archived from the original on August 31, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d "Manhunt: Basics". IGN. Ziff Davis. March 28, 2012. Archived from the original on August 15, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d e Kasavin, Greg (November 19, 2003). "Manhunt Review (PS2)". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on January 13, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  6. ^ a b Smith, David (May 9, 2004). "Manhunt (PS2) Review". 1UP.com. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on March 12, 2016. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  7. ^ Smith, Mark (February 2, 2004). "Manhunt Review (PS2)". Game Chronicles. Archived from the original on February 10, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2007.
  8. ^ Denton, Jon (August 12, 2012). "Retrospective: Manhunt". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  9. ^ Saltzman, Marc (June 1, 2004). "Review: 'Manhunt' raises video game violence bar". CNN. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  10. ^ Perry, Douglass C. (April 7, 2004). "The Gangs of Manhunt". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on October 21, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  11. ^ Kushner, David (April 3, 2012). Jacked: The Outlaw Story of Grand Theft Auto. John Wiley & Sons. p. 152. ISBN 978-0470936375.
  12. ^ Perry, Douglass C. (August 22, 2003). "Manhunt (Preview)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on July 14, 2019. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  13. ^ "Manhunt Out Now for Xbox, PC and PlayStation 2". Rockstar Games. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  14. ^ a b Cundy, Matt (July 26, 2007). "Manhunt nearly caused a "mutiny" at Rockstar". GamesRadar+. Future plc. Archived from the original on October 6, 2012. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  15. ^ IGN Staff (May 14, 2003). "E3 2003: Manhunt PS2 Bound". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  16. ^ Reed, Kristan (August 14, 2003). "Manhunt and Max Payne 2 due in October". GamesIndustry.biz. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  17. ^ Sources that refer to the previews in the 2003–2004 period include:
  18. ^ "Rockstar Games Ships Manhunt for PlayStation®2" (Press release). Take-Two Interactive. November 19, 2003. Archived from the original on August 19, 2004.
  19. ^ Calvert, Justin (November 20, 2003). "Rockstar ships Manhunt". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on November 22, 2018. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  20. ^ Thorsen, Tor (December 18, 2003). "November game sales send mixed signals". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  21. ^ Thorsen, Tor (December 18, 2003). "Manhunt to slay on Xbox, PC". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  22. ^ "Rockstar Games Ships Manhunt for PC and Xbox" (Press release). Take-Two Interactive. April 20, 2004. Archived from the original on May 22, 2022.
  23. ^ Adams, David (March 5, 2004). "Manhunt Gets a Date". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on October 21, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  24. ^ Reed, Kristan (March 2, 2004). "Manhunt coming soon to PC and Xbox". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  25. ^ "Manhunt - Merchandise". Project Manhunt. Archived from the original on April 17, 2013. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  26. ^ GameSpot Staff (January 4, 2008). "Rockstar builds up Steam". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on December 27, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  27. ^ Steam (January 4, 2008). "News – Rockstar Games Brings Full Line-up to Steam". Valve. Archived from the original on August 20, 2010. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
  28. ^ "Free Manhunt 1 with pre-order of Manhunt 2 PC". Rockstar Watch. November 3, 2009. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  29. ^ a b "Manhunt Coming to the PSN Next Week". Rockstar Games. May 9, 2013. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  30. ^ Phillips, Tom (March 22, 2016). "Bully, Manhunt now available to buy on PS4". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on March 23, 2016. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  31. ^ "Manhunt". Computer Games Magazine. No. 165. theGlobe.com, Inc. August 2004. p. 59. ISSN 1546-5101.
  32. ^ Chou, Che (July 2004). "Manhunt" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. No. 240. Ziff Davis. p. 76. ISSN 0744-6667. Archived from the original on June 4, 2004. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  33. ^ EGM staff (February 2004). "Manhunt (PS2)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 175. Ziff Davis. p. 118. ISSN 1058-918X.
  34. ^ a b Reed, Kristan (November 24, 2003). "Manhunt Review (PlayStation 2)". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on August 10, 2012. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  35. ^ Reed, Kristan (April 30, 2004). "Manhunt Review (Xbox)". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on August 30, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  36. ^ a b Reiner, Andrew (January 2004). "Manhunt (PS2)". Game Informer. No. 129. GameStop. p. 120. Archived from the original on February 2, 2008. Retrieved January 13, 2007.
  37. ^ Helgeson, Matt (June 2004). "Manhunt (Xbox)". Game Informer. No. 134. GameStop. p. 132. Archived from the original on May 24, 2008. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  38. ^ a b Dodson, Joe (May 7, 2004). "Manhunt Review (PC, Xbox)". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on October 12, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  39. ^ Dodson, Joe (December 2003). "Manhunt - Playstation 2 Review". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on April 17, 2004. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  40. ^ Major Mike (November 21, 2003). "Manhunt Review for PS2 on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 14, 2005. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  41. ^ "Manhunt (Xbox)". GamePro. IDG Entertainment. August 2004. p. 66. ISSN 1042-8658.
  42. ^ a b Kasavin, Greg (April 20, 2004). "Manhunt Review (PC, Xbox)". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on August 26, 2019. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  43. ^ Williams, Bryn (April 20, 2004). "GameSpy: Manhunt (PC)". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on October 1, 2020. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  44. ^ Williams, Bryn (November 26, 2003). "GameSpy: Manhunt (PS2)". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  45. ^ Williams, Bryn (April 20, 2004). "GameSpy: Manhunt (Xbox)". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on October 31, 2005. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  46. ^ Ceradsky, Tim (May 5, 2004). "Manhunt - PC - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 1, 2008. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  47. ^ Tha Wiz (November 24, 2003). "Manhunt - PS2 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  48. ^ Valentino, Nick (May 2, 2004). "Manhunt - XB - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  49. ^ a b Perry, Douglass C. (April 20, 2004). "Manhunt Review (PC, Xbox)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on May 4, 2019. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  50. ^ Nguyen, Thierry (January 2004). "Manhunt". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. No. 76. Ziff Davis. p. 142. Archived from the original on December 3, 2003. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  51. ^ "Manhunt". Official Xbox Magazine. Future US. July 2004. p. 87. ISSN 1534-7850.
  52. ^ "Manhunt". PC Gamer (US). Vol. 11, no. 7. Future US. July 2004. p. 72. ISSN 1080-4471.
  53. ^ Robischon, Noah (December 19, 2003). "Manhunt (PS2)". Entertainment Weekly. No. 742. Time Inc. (later Dotdash Meredith). p. L2T 20. ISSN 1049-0434. Archived from the original on October 1, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  54. ^ Porter, Alex (November 19, 2003). "Manhunt (PS2)". Maxim. Biglari Holdings. Archived from the original on November 23, 2003. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  55. ^ a b "Manhunt for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Archived from the original on October 8, 2011. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  56. ^ a b "Manhunt for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Archived from the original on November 13, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  57. ^ a b "Manhunt for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Archived from the original on October 2, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  58. ^ "Recommendation of the Board of Directors to Reject Electronic Arts Inc.'s Tender Offer" (PDF). Take-Two Interactive. March 26, 2008. p. 15. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 8, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
  59. ^ Becker, Erich (February 13, 2004). "7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards Nominees". ESCMag.com. Archived from the original on November 14, 2006. Retrieved February 27, 2007.
  60. ^ "ELSPA Sales Awards: Gold". ELSPA. Archived from the original on March 19, 2009.
  61. ^ Caoili, Eric (November 26, 2008). "ELSPA: Wii Fit, Mario Kart Reach Diamond Status In UK". Gamasutra. UBM plc. Archived from the original on September 18, 2017. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
  62. ^ Edge staff (January 2004). "Manhunt Review (PS2)". Edge. No. 132. Future plc. p. 96. ISSN 1350-1593. Archived from the original on April 3, 2013. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  63. ^ Rayner, Ben (January 25, 2004). "In my private moments, I'm a murderer". Toronto Star. Torstar. ISSN 0319-0781. {{cite news}}: |section= ignored (help)
  64. ^ Buchanan, Levi (November 24, 2003). "Manhunt a solid game, but do you want the gore?". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Publishing. Archived from the original on April 30, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  65. ^ Williams, Jeff (July 24, 2007). "Life During Wartime - Working at Rockstar Games". Alphabet City. BlogSpot. Archived from the original on August 4, 2007. Retrieved September 2, 2010.
  66. ^ Gwinn, David (November 24, 2003). "'Manhunt,' the next step in video game violence". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Publishing. Archived from the original on March 14, 2013. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  67. ^ Ryan, Andrew (March 6, 2004). "Belly up to the slaughter buffet". The Globe and Mail. The Woodbridge Company. Archived from the original on March 23, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  68. ^ Millward, David (July 28, 2004). "'Manhunt' computer game is blamed for brutal killing". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on September 21, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  69. ^ "Game blamed for hammer murder". July 29, 2004. Archived from the original on May 21, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  70. ^ Millward, David (July 29, 2004). "'Manhunt' computer game is blamed for brutal killing". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on May 20, 2014. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  71. ^ Leyton, Chris (July 28, 2004). "'Manhunt' blamed for murder". TotalVideoGames.com. Archived from the original on March 14, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  72. ^ Thorsen, Tor (July 29, 2004). "Manhunt blamed for UK murder". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on April 30, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  73. ^ "Manhunt game 'flying off shelves'". BBC News. BBC. August 4, 2004. Archived from the original on August 28, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  74. ^ "Retailer pulls 'murder' video game". CNN. WarnerMedia. July 30, 2004. Archived from the original on May 27, 2015. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  75. ^ "Sony to be sued over Manhunt murder". Out-Law.com. Pinsent Masons. August 2, 2004. Archived from the original on March 14, 2013. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  76. ^ Fahey, Rob (August 4, 2004). "New twist to Manhunt murder allegations". GamesIndustry.biz. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on April 19, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  77. ^ "Teenage murderer gets life term". BBC News. BBC. September 3, 2004. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  78. ^ Ingram, Tim (February 8, 2007). "Murder victim's parents condemn Manhunt sequel". MCV/Develop. Intent Media (Biz Media). Archived from the original on February 10, 2007. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  79. ^ Bramwell, Tom (February 8, 2007). "Manhunt 2 excuses in early". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on March 14, 2013. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  80. ^ Hinkle, David (February 26, 2007). "Jack Thompson at it again, wants Manhunt 2 pulled from UK". Engadget. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  81. ^ "GTA Publisher, Jack Thompson Settle Lawsuit (Thompson later disbarred)". GamePolitics.com. April 19, 2007. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
  82. ^ "Manhunt Banned In New Zealand". 1UP.com. Ziff Davis. 2003. Archived from the original on July 1, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  83. ^ "Banning of Manhunt". OFLC (NZ). December 17, 2003. Archived from the original on October 1, 2006. Retrieved February 27, 2007.
  84. ^ "Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993, Section 131". knowledge-basket.co.nz. Archived from the original on May 7, 2017. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  85. ^ Thorsen, Tor (December 12, 2003). "Manhunt banned in New Zealand". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on February 14, 2019. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  86. ^ "OFLC No. 2200483.000 Register Page - Manhunt". NZ Register of Classification Decisions. January 19, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  87. ^ Smith, Tony (September 30, 2004). "Australia bans Manhunt". The Register. Situation Publishing. Archived from the original on November 4, 2011. Retrieved February 27, 2007.
  88. ^ "Ban increases call for R18+ rating". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. October 14, 2004. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  89. ^ "Opinion Review: In the Matter of Manhunt published by Rockstar Games" (PDF). British Columbia Film Classification Office. February 6, 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 14, 2006. Retrieved October 12, 2006.
  90. ^ Wurm, Gerald. "Beschlagnahme - Manhunt (Schnittberichte.com)". Schnittberichte.com (in German). Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  91. ^ Wurm, Gerald. "Indizierung - Manhunt (Schnittberichte.com)". Schnittberichte.com (in German). Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  92. ^ Bailey, Dustin (September 5, 2023). "After 15 years, GTA dev's anti-piracy measures are still only hurting legitimate players". PCGamesN. Archived from the original on September 6, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  93. ^ Smith, Ed (March 28, 2016). "Why I Adore the Legendarily Crass, Violent Video Game 'Manhunt'". Vice. Vice Media. Archived from the original on May 5, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  94. ^ Gwaltney, Javy (March 25, 2016). "Opinion — Manhunt Is The Dark, Underappreciated Masterpiece We Deserve". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  95. ^ Rezaee, Stan (October 24, 2011). "The Best of Gaming Horror Part V - Manhunt". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  96. ^ Mott, Tony, ed. (2010). 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die. London / New York: Universe Publishing (Quintessence Editions Ltd.). p. 546. ISBN 978-0-7893-2090-2.
  97. ^ "Top 100 PlayStation 2 Games (Manhunt - #85)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on June 30, 2019. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  98. ^ Bangeman, Eric (August 24, 2007). "Manhunt 2 will see Halloween release date after getting M rating". Ars Technica. Condé Nast. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  99. ^ Wales, Matt (October 3, 2008). "Manhunt 2 Dated in UK". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on October 21, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  100. ^ "Manhunt 2 Hands-on Preview". GameSpot. June 21, 2007. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manhunt_(video_game)&oldid=1291575758"