Following earlier confirmation that Nintendo and Sony would not release Rockstar"s Manhunt 2 with its U.S. "Adults Only" rating, and the game refused a rating in the U.K., Take-Two representatives have confirmed it has "temporarily suspended" plans to distribute the game. According to an official statement distributed to journalists, including U.S. consumer website GameSpot: "Take-Two Interactive Software has temporarily suspended plans to distribute Manhunt 2 for the Wii or PlayStation platforms while it reviews its options with regard to the recent decisions made by the British Board of Film Classification and Entertainment Software Rating Board,"
The official Take-Two statement concludes: "We 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." Most U.S. retailers, including Best Buy, GameStop and Wal-Mart, refuse to stock AO rated games as a matter of policy, separately of the console hardware manufacturers refusing its release. This makes it almost certain that the title"s content will need to be changed and resubmitted in order for it to reach American shelves - if Rockstar and Take-Two decide to take this parth to market.