Strauss Zelnick, chairman of downtrodden publisher Take-Two, has issued a statement on banned title Manhunt 2 saying the game is a "fine piece of art".

Zelnick said: "The Rockstar team has come up with a game that fits squarely within the horror genre and was intended to do so.

"It brings a unique, formerly unheard of cinematic quality to interactive entertainment, and is also a fine piece of art."

The controversial game, which features brutal scenes of execution, is now banned in both the UK and US.