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Last week news of a Manhunt 2 PSP hack emerged, allowing those with the adequate skill to modify the game code and view uncensored content from the game. This obviously lead many to label the hack as Hot Coffee 2, but according to an official statement from the ESRB, the hack is not comparable with the GTA: San Andreas Hot Coffee scandal and will not require the game to be re-rated.
“Contrary to some reports, however, we do not believe these modifications fully restore the product to the version that originally received an AO rating, nor is this a matter of unlocking content,” said the ESRB in a statement. “Our investigation indicates that the game’s publisher disclosed to the ESRB all pertinent content in the authorized Mature-rated version of Manhunt 2 now available in stores, and complied with our guidelines on full disclosure of content.“
Explaining how the Manhunt 2 hack is different from the Hot Coffee incident, the ESRB said: “The Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas “Hot Coffee” situation involved a scene that was a) fully rendered in an unmodified form on the disc (the Hot Coffee mod did not alter the content that was there, it merely unlocked it), b) not previously disclosed to the ESRB during the rating process, and c) easily accessible to all owners of the PC version of the game. Conversely, in the case of Manhunt 2, a) content that was programmed to be part of the game (i.e., visual blurring effects of certain violent depictions) is being modified, b) the content was previously disclosed to the ESRB, and c) unauthorized versions of software and/or hardware are required to play the modified content.“
It would appear Rockstar and Take-Two have nothing to worry about in regard to the PSP Manhunt 2 hack. Of more concern will be getting the game released in the UK, where the game has been refused a rating by the BBFC on two occasions.
