The notorious Jack Thompson is at it again, this time claiming the BBFC’s decision to refuse to give Manhunt 2 a rating was the right move to make. I believe the BBFC was absolutely right in refusing to classify Manhunt 2”, Thompson told MVC. “And in effect the game has been banned globally by Sony and Nintendo because they won’t allow an adults only game on their platforms – and of course it had an adults only rating over here. So in a way the BBFC rating is redundant because the industry itself, the format holders, have banned it.” The game was created for the Wii, PS2 and PSP, although it seems the version appearing on Nintendo’s machine is receiving the most bad press. “I think the availability of this game on the Wii platform made it even more problematic, because you can actually move your physique to replicate killing. Also I think the high visibility of Take 2 and Rockstar – the poster child for what’s wrong in the industry – made it more likely that it would get a ban.” This isn’t the first time Thompson has went after Take 2 Interactive. The attorney has campaigned against multiple Grand Theft Auto games as well as Rockstar’s Bully. He found himself in the center of getting GTA: San Andreas pulled over the Hot Coffee controversy. “If this wasn’t Take 2 it still might have been banned, but the fact that it was Take 2 made it more likely that it would get a ban… I think it’s conventional wisdom that Take 2 and Rockstar have effectively dug their own grave. I also think this is the greatest thing that the industry has ever done to get people like me off their backs”, he said. According to Thompson, the US would be better suited to follow the UK in better restricting the sells of M-rated games to minors. “The UK’s definitely got it right”, he explained. “You rate a game and you can’t sell it to people if it falls in a certain category – in other words the rating actually has a sanction, whereas in this county the rating means nothing.” “I would absolutely like to see the US and other countries following the UK’s lead. We don’t have a single law in the books that prevents a mature rated game being sold to a minor as young as ten years of age – and in fact that’s what is happening.”

Sony once again will be headlining the Tokyo Game Show’s keynote address when the show starts off on September 20. Sony Computer Entertainment’s president Kaz Hirai will deliver a keynote titled “The Expanding PlayStation World, Business Strategy For New Growth.” Last year, former SCE president Ken Kutaragi had the honor of delivering the TGS headline keynote. The Tokyo Game Show runs from September 20 to September 23. You know who else is delivering a keynote at TGS this year? Nokia. Their keynote is called “Developing for the N-Gage Platform.” So, if you’re headed to TGS this year, don’t miss it. As always, AMN will keep you updated.

Here’s a look at the games being released to retailers nationwide during the week of July 15, 2007. Monday, July 16 All Pro Football 2K8 – PS3, 360 Smash Court Tennis 3 – PSP Tuesday, July 17 NCAA Football 08 – PS3, 360 Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology - PSP Parappa the Rapper – PSP Wednesday, July 18 Spelling Challenges and More! - DS