Manhunt 2003

Genre: Action, Psychological horror, stealth

Release date: Nov 18, 2003

Manhunt created a controversy due to the graphic violence the player is encouraged to engage in. This resulted in the game being banned in several countries and implicated by media in a murder, although this implication was later rejected by the police.

Influences: Based in the same fictional universe as the Grand Theft Auto series and Bully. Some of the city is run down while some of it isn't. The run down part of the city is used for different sets and has video cameras all over so Lionel Starkweather can make his snuff films.

Controversy: In the UK, the game was linked to the murder of Stefan Pakeerah, 14, by his friend Warren Leblanc, 17, on the 27 February 2004. Giselle Pakeerah, the victim's mother, claimed that Leblanc had been 'obsessed' with the game after he pleaded guilty in court. During the subsequent media exposure, the game was removed from sale by some vendors, such as the UK and international branches of GAME and Dixons,