The makers of Manhunt 2 — a violent video game that had been threatened with a sales-destroying adults-only rating — will release a toned-down version in October. The initial version, in which gamers perform a series of killing moves as an amnesiac scientist who escapes from an asylum, had been scheduled for a July release. But the launch was indefinitely delayed after the Entertainment Software Rating Board, an industry group, slapped it with an adults-only rating, for consumers 18 and older.

An “AO” rating would have essentially prevented the game from being sold. Large retailers such as Wal-Mart don’t stock “AO” games, and the three major console makers – Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony — do not allow “AO” games on their systems.

Manhunt 2 maker Rockstar Games and publisher Take-Two Interactive Software said the revamped version of the game received a less-stringent “M” (Mature) rating for consumers age 17 or older. The Associated Press reports it was unclear what changes were made to achieve the lower the rating.

The updated Manhunt 2 will ship in the United States on Halloween for the PS2, PSP and Wii.

Source: Associated Press on Yahoo!