The cover of the video game "Manhunt 2" by Rockstar Games Inc.
© AFP/OFFGENEVA (AFP) - The Swiss Interactive Entertainment Association (SIEA), which groups leading manufacturers of consoles and software, decided not to distribute "Manhunt 2", which is to be launched in Europe in mid-July.
The SIEA said the game, made for PS2 and Nintendo Wii consoles by Rockstar Games Inc, "exceeds what is tolerable as regards the representation of violence."
SIEA chief Roger Frei said that in deciding not to distribute "Manhunt 2" the industry had shown a sense of responsibility and was no longer prepared to accept just anything, despite respect for artistic freedoms.
The SIEA includes console makers Sony Computer Entertainment, Microsoft and Nintendo, as well as Swiss offshoots of software companies Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Atari and Koch Media.
The game has already been banned by official and government bodies in Ireland, Britain and Italy.
The Irish Film Censor's Office, which was the first to issue a ban on the second installment of the Manhunt series, said Monday that "the level of gross, unrelenting and gratuitous violence is unacceptable."
The British Board of Film Classification on Tuesday slammed its "sustained and cumulative casual sadism" which could cause "a range of unjustifiable harm risks" to adults and children.
On Thursday, Italian Communications Minister Paolo Gentiloni called it "cruel and sadistic," saying it contains "encouragement of violence and murder."
In 2004, the original "Manhunt" hit the headlines in Britain after 14-year-old schoolboy Stefan Pakeerah was stabbed and beaten to death in the east-central English town of Leicester.
The victim's parents believed the killer was inspired by the game, although police and lawyers said there was no evidence it had played a role in the murder.
©AFP