Rockstar has always been known for doing things different in this industry. Manhunt 2 (PSP, PS2, Wii) is no exception to this, as the game's official website has recently released the third web-exclusive companion piece of the highly-controversial title, the Daniel Lamb Session.

If you're interested in getting to know more about the game's mind-bending storyline and are not afraid to hear things that'd probably make your hair curl, then this one should be right up your alley.

The Daniel Lamb Session is the third in a series of audio-visual presentations available for viewing in the game's official website. Not your typical gameplay video or trailer, it's pretty much a series of eerily-disjointed photographs, screenshots and animations that you have to click through in order to get the full story.

What really shines in this sort of media? The audio. Being a horror fan, yours truly can honestly say that the Daniel Lamb Session, along with its predecessors, contains some of the best voice acting in terms of scaring the ever-living crap out of a listener. The sound effects, timed impeccably with the presentation's graphics, really kick-starts your imagination into what's happening in Session 5-26.

Be forewarned - it's not for the faint of heart. Otherwise, enjoy it with the lights off for the full effect - you'll thank us after the entire ordeal is over. Updates as we get them, and you can check out the Daniel Lamb Session by clicking on the Read link we've provided below.


Buy: [Manhunt 2 (PSP)]
Buy: [Manhunt 2 (Wii)]

In the same analyst conference call that revealed plans for a Bioshock sequel, Take-Two chairman Strauss Zelnick announced that the releases for two of the company's PlayStation titles have been pushed back to fiscal year 2009.

The first delayed title is L.A. Noire for the Sony PlayStation 3. This Team Bondi project will reportedly be set in late-1940s Los Angeles. The decidedly film noir-style game will have players trying to solve a chain of murders.

Rockstar Leeds' PlayStation Portable title Beaterator, a music game made in collaboration with hip hop producer Timbaland, has also been delayed. Here's what Zelnick had to say about the delays:

Right now we're just pushing out the release date, and we'll be more specific as we have more information. We are continuing to develop the titles, and I think our decision was driven in part by the fact that we have such a strong release schedule for '08 and a pretty robust one.

Some are saying that there's a slim possibility that the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) may reconsider its ban on Nintendo Wii and PlayStation Portable video game Manhunt 2 after Rockstar has appealed its decision. If you think Rockstar is going to wait quietly, you are dead wrong.

Rockstar Leeds Co-founder and Studio Head Gordan Hall was recently interviewed by Develop Mag and according to the industry veteran, what BBFC did to Manhunt 2 is ultimately an attack to the video gaming industry. He said:

If you look at a film like Man Bites Dog, it makes Manhunt look tame in comparison, but that film can be bought by anyone aged 18. I don't think Rockstar specifically has been picked on, but I do think that the wider issue attacks our entire industry. We need to teach people that games are an art form - they are more artistic than film.

Gordon Hall then added that he is appealing to the whole industry to rally behind Rockstar because it is highly probable that what happened to their company will also happen to other development studios in the future. The studio head also mentioned that the industry is maturing and more edgy ideas are coming forth:

We are an adult entertainment industry - we may have started out with child-like technology making games solely for a younger audience, but it's just not like that anymore. It might take legislature a little while to catch up, but if the industry sticks together hopefully we can change people's attitudes quicker.

Develop Magazine's Industry Excellence Awards broke records after gathering 500 games industry executives last night. Among them, 17 different companies and individuals claimed the 18 awards over 15 categories.

A panel of industry experts voted for the best in different categories to reward various creative achievements in game development - from visual arts to innovation. The diversity of the list gives us nothing but a positive outlook, and assurance that the market won't run out of good games if these guys are around.

Here's the list of winners that deserve our cheers:

• New Console IP - MotorStorm (Evolution/SCEE External Development)
• New Handheld IP - Crush (Zoe Mode)
• Best Use of a License - Lego Star Wars II (Traveller's Tales)
• Visual Arts - Rare (for Viva Piñata)
• Audio Accomplishment - FreeStyle (for B-Boy)
• Publishing Hero - Sega
• Innovation - Real Time Worlds (for Crackdown)
• Tools Provider - Havok
• Best Use of Online - Eden Studios (for Test Drive Unlimited)
• Services & Outsourcing - Babel Media
• Recruitment Company - Datascope
• New UK Studio - Realtime Worlds
• Handheld Studio - Rockstar Leeds
• Business Development - Blitz
• Independent Developer - Traveller's Tales
• In-house Developer - Ubisoft France
• Development Legend - Ian Hetherington
• Grand Prix - Sony

We're not sure about the exact criteria, but a good guess would say Sega earned the "Publishing Hero" award for having plenty of titles in all flavors under its belt. With Rockstar Leeds' big games in its arsenal (GTA: Liberty City/Vice City Stories), it's no surprise why the company is branded the best "Handheld Studio."

Sony's Grand Prix Award is due to 12 months of extensive support for internal and external developers to create cutting edge next-gen games.

 

While we keep on hearing from the angry, outraged side trying to get Manhunt 2 (Wii and PSP) banned everywhere, we really haven't heard from the folks behind the video game that lets you choke out people with a plastic bag, namely Rockstar.

Here to break the silence, then, is a letter from Rockstar itself, sending out a heartfelt thanks to those who have faithfully supported the game even when it's clearly under so much fire. Here is the letter, verbatim:

We wanted to thank everyone who has taken the time to contact us about Manhunt 2, which we had been planning to release on PlayStation 2, PSP, and Nintendo Wii. As you know, Manhunt 2 was effectively banned around much of the world, after it was refused certification in the United Kingdom, prohibited in Ireland, and denied an M rating in the United States.

We are very proud of Manhunt 2 and believe it builds on what the team accomplished with the first title in the series. The game was developed as a horror experience, and to be an M rated title, aligning it with similar horror content created in other forms of media.

Unlike many other people, we do not think video games should be singled out for special treatment from the authorities. We hope to have more information for you soon, but in the meantime, we wanted you to know how much we value all of your messages of support.

Truly a graceful gesture by Rockstar, and certainly heartening for all to see that they haven't buckled under with all this flak. Let's hope, though, that everyone involved in this hub-bub about Manhunt 2 unscathed and unburned.

And the woes of Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive regarding Manhunt 2 (Wii and PSP) continue. It has been reported that the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has already given the controversial video game an "Adults Only" rating.

This impacts the title in more ways than one. You see, it is the general rule of rental outlets not to carry movies and video games with a rating of Adult or NC-17, much less those which has been included in the AO list.

Gaming site Joystiq tried to contact GameFly for comments regarding the matter, and one of the chain's representatives explained that they will uphold the mentioned general policy. Furthermore, the gaming site also spoke with Blockbuster and found out that the rental chain will take a similar action.

Manhunt 2 is scheduled to be released on July 11 but the whole gaming industry is on its toes - curious and concerned about the developer's and the publisher's next actions.

Buy: [Manhunt 2 (PSP)]
Buy: [Manhunt 2 (Wii)]

Earlier, we reported on Manhunt 2 being banned from ever reaching UK shores, and Rockstar's disappointed reaction to the actual incident. Now the other side strikes back, with a statement of their own - that there was no political influence over the banning of the title that focused on giving you the ability to kill your enemies as brutally and gorily as humanly possible.

If one remembers previous events involving the first Manhunt, the title was unfairly linked to the murder of teenager Stefan Pakeerah by the media - causing a furor that had the UK games industry left to defend itself, while publishing firm Rockstar stood by and watched.

While it doesn't take much to assume that people are now more wary than ever of a repeat performance, with the sequel bloodier and more violent, the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) stands firm in its statement that it had nothing to do with the banning. BBFC's own Sue Clark elaborates:

That had nothing to do with this decision, absolutely not. We are independent of government and independent of the industry and we reached this decision based on our guidelines and our concerns and not on any other basis at all.

Besides denying that politics had anything to do with the decision, Sue Clark also reminds players that they've banned the game so you can't legally purchase it in the UK. This means that players bent on playing Manhunt 2 can simply turn to importing the game, as the ban itself can't stop import purchases.

First, the Church of England and Resistance. Now it's the BBFC and Manhunt 2. What's next, we wonder? In any case, let us know what you think by your comments.

In any game, the biggest draw to players is the emotional response that it triggers. Rockstar Games' Manhunt 2 is no different, and the driving element that games such as this is a very primal one: fear. What did the developers do to generate this feeling in the game?

First up, they used something from the original Manhunt that has worked well for them: overwhelming odds. You will not be able to show yourself to the hunters and start mowing them down like you're the Terminator.

The game requires you to use stealth and cunning to pick off your foes. This may seem obvious to most gamers, but waiting for the perfect time to strike and praying that no one spots you is a sure-fire way to create anxiety and fear.

Speaking of not being spotted, even hiding in the shadows, you are never safe. The hunters in this game have flashlights, spotlights and helicopter support. It wouldn't have been so bad if they weren't using these assets, but it looks like they will be checking the shadowy corners and areas.

If they spot you, you'd better be prepared to bolt because getting into a war of attrition with the hunters almost always results in a gruesome death.

Now, it seems that the focus of the game is the sheer unpredictability of it. Most players would be thinking "at least my character is fully controllable and will do exactly what I tell him to do." This would have been true, if not for the psychological trauma that Daniel Lamb has suffered. This means that your character will be plagued by flashbacks. It was mentioned that it sometimes kicks in for no apparent reason, so it looks like even the character you're playing may be a bit unpredictable as well.

Humans have a need for control, when you take that away, it produces fear and uncertainty. That's precisely the emotion the developers were trying to make players feel while playing the game, and it looks like they've done a very good job at that. If you want to read more on this, you can click on our read link.

The game is slated to be released this July for the PSP, PS2, and Wii . Be sure to keep checking back here for more updates on Manhunt 2.

Buy: [Manhunt 2 (PSP)]
Buy: [Manhunt 2 (Wii)]

We informed you the other day that Rockstar Games updated the official website for its upcoming psychotic video game title Manhunt 2 (PSP and Wii). Did you, or did you not visit the page? Those who did might still be trembling from the terrors inflicted by Dixmor Asylum, those who didn't miss a lot of twisted fun.

At the section for voice recordings, we hear inmate Leo Kasper being interviewed by some Doctor Deborah. It was one of those routine checkups, we guess, but the interview is interspersed with cut scenes and what we believe as in-game footage. Watching the whole traumatic section, we have a strong reason to believe that Kasper is going to be a playable character.

Now Rockstar Games has yet to mention anything about this but some of the murders perpetrated during the in-game footage are done by Kasper himself. Fans of the franchise believe that Kasper is going to play a support role but with these revelations, I personally think he's going to be a lot useful than that.

I don't have anything to support these speculations except for the various assets released by Rockstar Games. So we're bringing you back to the official site for Manhunt 2 via our Read link below. This time, we will direct you to Leo Kasper's section. If you can, go through the whole interactive section and help us figure this one out.

It's kind of redundant to use the words deranged and Manhunt in the same sentence. Fans of the video game franchise know well that the title describes best that particular state of mind, not to mention violence and gore.

Anyway, Rockstar Games has just updated the official Manhunt 2 website to acquaint people more with the new title's psychotic nature. Even though the release of the game for all platforms (Wii, PS2, PSP) is almost upon us, Manhunt 2's background story is still as elusive as ever.

We only know that some experiment at a secret research facility has gone catastrophically wrong. After six years, main protagonist Daniel Lamb suddenly found himself locked up in Dixmor Asylum with no memory of how he got there.

We can say that the official website is kind of a preview of how it feels to be inside that asylum. It contains the latest trailer videos we shared with you and some of the more recent screenshots. There are also some creepy, freaky voice recordings that are sure to keep you awake all night.

The Wii version of Manhunt 2 is being handled by Rockstar's subsidiary in Toronto while the PSP version is under the skillful hands of Rockstar Leeds. The Read link should take you to the video game's updated official site.

Buy: [Manhunt 2 (PSP)]
Buy: [Manhunt 2 (Wii)]