You can dance if you want to, at Princes Square
Play dead
New gaming title rejected by BBFC. Words: Allan Radcliffe
he controversial video game Manhunt 2. which
was developed by Rockstar Games. has been
refused a certificate by the BBFC. meaning that it can be owned btlt not legally supplied anywhere in the UK. This decision. which follows a similar ban in Ireland and the issuing of a crippling 'Adults ()nly‘ rating in the L'nited States. means Manhunt 2 is the first game to be refused such a classification since Curmugcddrm in 1997 (the Video Appeals (‘ommittee later overturned this judgment). Rockstar‘s parent
company. the American games publisher and developer
Take-Two Interactive. has now suspended the title pending appeals on both sides of the Atlantic.
The game. which features an interactive killing spree in such locations as an insane asylum. has been dogged by controversy since its inception. having been the subject of an attempt by attorney Jack Thompson to block sales
of the game via the US courts. Man/11ml and other
Rockstar titles such as Grand 'I'litf/i Auto have also been accused of spawning so-called ‘copycat killings’. including the murder of a l4-year-old in Leicestershire.
David Cooke. director of the BBFC. defended the board‘s decision by claiming the game would be unacceptable to the public. ‘Manhunt 2 is distinguishable from recent high-end video games by its unremitting bleakncss and callousness of tone in an overall game context which constantly encourages visceral killing with exceptionally little alleviation or distancing] he said. "l’here is sustained and cumulative casual sadism in the way in which these killings are committed. and encouraged. in the game.’
Meanwhile. Rockstar issued a statement to thank their fans for showing their support for their new title. which unsurprisineg following such widespread free publicity. has created unprecedented levels of interest.
‘We are very proud of Mun/11m! 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. aligning it with similar horror content created in other forms of media. l.'nlike many other people. we do not think video games should be singled out for special treatment from the authorities..
VENEZUELAN MODEL FOR SCOTS MUSICAL YOUTH
I As the Simon Bolivar Orchestra prepares to take the Edinburgh International Festival by storm, a pilot project, based on the Venezuelan ‘El Sistema’ initiative, which gives deprived children free access to musical instruments in an attempt to steer them away from crime, is being launched in central Scotland. The pilot, to be based in Raploch, one of Stirling’s poorest areas, will run for five years and will offer young people instruments and tuition after school at a brand new community education campus. If successful it may lead to similar projects being set up across the country. A quarter of a million students in Venezuela now participate in the ‘El Sistema’ project, which was launched 32 years ago, and it is hoped that, if the Raploch pilot is approved, it will coincide with the visit of the Simon Bolivar Orchestra in August. (AR)
WHEELS
OF STEEL
ECCF launch capital DJing competition Calling all aspiring and established DJs! The ECCF (European Clubbing Community Forums) have launched the Sugarbeat in the Gardens competition for up-and-coming 0.18. The competition, which will be judged by Leeds sampling pioneers Utah Saints, will appoint two winners who will play warm up sets of one—and- a-half hours each for XFM‘s Dan Greenpeace at Sugarbeat in Princes Street Gardens on Friday 13 July.
Also featuring on the bill will be Krafty Kuts (pictured). DJ Askills. Smokey and the Bandit. Bsides and the Utah Saints themselves. And the prize doesn't end there. Winners will also warm up for the August slot at Edinburgh’s award- winning Sugarbeat club night, which takes place at the capital's Cabaret Voltaire on the last Friday of every month, alongside Kid Kenobi/MC Shureshock and the Stanton Warriors. To crown their experience. the anointed ones will have a further opportunity to show off their prowess at a special Sugarbeat event in Leeds later in the year
The competition is only open to members of the ECCF. so interested parties should log onto www.ecf.co.ul<. The closing date for entry is Tuesday 10 July. (AR)
{Sr 19 Jill 2007 THE LIST 7