"Even though some people may consider Manhunt 2 to be only a game, it unfortunately perpetuates and reinforces cruel, inaccurate perceptions that people who live with mental illnesses are violent, NAMI executive director Mike Fitzpatrick stated in a press release. "Concern over the violence reflected in the game up until now has not yet been extended to include the outrageous portrayal of the 54 million people in the United States who live with serious mental illnesses. We do not favor censorship, but we do ask for responsible exercise of creative rights when serious public health concerns are at issue. It is our right to demand a higher standard."
While we can somewhat understand Fitzpatrick's concerns, all forms of media have long perpetuated stereotypes and myths about not only this issue, but a myriad of others, as well. It only takes a few working brain cells to understand that every mentally ill person isn't going to rip your scrotum off, but hey, if you're crazy enough to believe that, you may need to have your head examined.
[Via Kotaku]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-03-2007 @ 2:17PM
Bryan said...
umm... mental ill people shouldnt be playing video games nor be able to react with the world. once again they are mental ill and dont have jobs. maybe some do but should be spending money on psps.
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11-03-2007 @ 2:36PM
Chris Powell said...
That might be the greatest comment that's ever been posted on this site.
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11-03-2007 @ 3:28PM
insane257 said...
As i liked the original game, i will be buying Manhunt 2. Although i feel all the hype is going to make it a huge huge let down like Halo 3 after all the hype.
I do think that they need to shut the hell up about Manhunt 2. Developers and Publishers should be able to publish whatever they want. What a pathetic world we live in, when we cant even release a GAME without being politically correct. Pathetic.
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11-03-2007 @ 3:32PM
Deathalo said...
The irony of the first comment, after the article talks about mental illness and brain cells, is just too much...
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11-03-2007 @ 3:32PM
Kattleox said...
I don't see them getting worked up about the crazy people in Saw. Isn't Jigsaw a loon? What about him? And why hasn't American McGee's Alice been recalled yet? Pathetic.
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11-03-2007 @ 10:21PM
matthew said...
Bull! i live with mental illness been in and out of behavioral clinics my whole life! THESE PEOPLE ARE CRAZY at least 80% they get pissed easy and attack just as easy. Let me tell you when i snap its all over. Not everyone does i guess but the game has a pretty good assumption!
bi-polar
borderline personality disorder
schizzo
and
OCD
We are CRAZY
(thats why everything is free for me.. duh?!)
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11-03-2007 @ 11:12PM
rockeranimefreak said...
Wil Wheaton sucks!!! anyways back on topic... um how about make the director real and release real mentally ill people around to hunt each other! now that would be a blast! :0 24/7 live feed from fox or sumthing! :)
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11-03-2007 @ 11:26PM
Hashbrown_Hunter said...
The way Manhunt 2 portrays mental illness is not random acts of violence. It shows that people suffering from the illness are unstable and are likely to react in a way not normal compared to a regular person.
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11-04-2007 @ 9:48AM
usagi704 said...
"It is our right to demand a higher standard."
...And it is my right to play these types of games and not have them taken away from me just because some overly offended asshole has a problem with them! If we banned something every time some idiot didn't like it, none of us would have anything at all.
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11-06-2007 @ 2:21PM
raindogtoo23 said...
Oh yes the travesty.
Who ever heard of a violent mentally ill person?
It's an urban myth, like government sanctioned torture.
Son of Sam, Charles Manson, Ed Gein, Adolf Hitler, Osama Bin Laden, George W.: they were/are all perfectly sane I'm sure.
Maybe a little paranoid. Just a bit.
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