Back before almost every game managed to do something to piss someone off, Manhunt was considered the final word in video game controversy. Released way back in 2003, Rockstar's brutal survival horror was basically the video game of every parents' worst nightmares. Intensely violent, endlessly bleak, and shockingly graphic, the fact it was banned in several countries did little to detract from its enigmatic pull for gamers everywhere.
While we got one, equally controversial sequel in 2007, Manhunt has since faded into obscurity. The series was a cult hit, to be sure... but cult hits don't tend to sell as well as mega franchises like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption. For that reason alone, I can't imagine we'll ever see a Manhunt 3. Heck, I wouldn't have bet on ever seeing the franchise back in any capacity... until today.
Advert
Over on Twitter, multiple dataminers have uncovered evidence that a Manhunt arcade game has been added to the files of GTA Online, heavily implying that we're going to get an unexpected reference to the forgotten classic in a future update for the game. Alternatively, of course, it could be that the content was planned at one point before being cut, and Rockstar simply left the files. That happens all the time with constantly evolving games like GTA Online and Call Of Duty: Warzone, but we're choosing to be optimistic here.
The assets, which you can see below, are clearly unfinished. But we can still make out what seems to be an arcade machine, a trophy, and a gun. It's unclear how all of these might be related, but I know I'd be well up for some kind of Manhunt crossover. My only concern is that GTA Online and Manhunt have very, very different tones, meaning the latter may have to be diluted to make its way to the online game.
Even if this alleged Manhunt content doesn't amount to anything more than some kind of arcade-style game that can be accessed via a bar or club in Los Santos, it'd be excellent to see such an old franchise make its return in a game as massive as GTA Online. The first step to Manhunt 3 becoming a reality? I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Topics: Rockstar Games, News, GTA Online
