Manhunt 2, a video game so violent it was banned from release in the UK and Ireland, is defended by its creators as fine art, reports BBC News.

Set in a mental institution, the game depicts "sustained and cumulative casual sadism in the way in which killings are committed, and encouraged."

Take Two Interactive, which owns the game's developer Rockstar, defended the game saying it "fits squarely within the horror genre" and that its cinematic nature warrants it a piece of high art.

Rockstar also issued a statement comparing the horror videogame to books, movies and television, stating that adult consumers understand it is "fictional interactive entertainment and nothing more."