This one's filed under "Doh!".
MCV reports that Rockstar's PSP version of Manhunt2 has been removed from the shelves of one of the US' leading retailers after hidden content, buried in the code, was unearthed. This smells like stale coffee to me.
The offending code had been removed by the developers when it was submitted to the ratings authority, but it appears that version had only been buried and not struck from the record. According to the official Take Two statement via GameSpot,
Multiple edits were made to revise Manhunt 2 for its M-rated version.
Hackers apparently have altered one of those edits to produce an illegally modified version of the game that can only be played on an unauthorized, modified PlayStation Portable handheld system.
All of the game material, and especially these specific edits, was submitted to and reviewed by the ESRB in accordance with requirements regarding disclosure that were enacted two years ago and any contrary suggestion is inaccurate and irresponsible.
They were, indeed, following the rules. However, Target (the retail chain) is playing it safe, but the damage (and the ensuing publicity) is done.
