He might be several weeks late to the party, but that's not stopped National Alliance on Mental Illness executive director Mike Fitzpatrick claiming himself a slice of the outrage pie. Outrage pie is delicious, after all, with a side of controversy bread and an ice-cold glass of reaction. The NAMI bigwig has accused Manhunt 2 of reinforcing negative stereotypes of the mentally ill by casting protagonist Daniel Lamb as an escaped mental patient.
Now, there are many things you can criticize the Manhunt series for -- namely for being a rubbish franchise -- but I wouldn't have expected someone to pull the "mental illness" card, that's a new one. Fitzpatrick claims that Rockstar makes millions of dollars through "stigmatizing" mental illness and that mental illness shouldn't be made fun of in this way, since we don't mock cancer or heart attacks in games.
This comes down to intent. I don't think anybody playing Manhunt 2 would be laughing at mental illness ... well ... maybe on the part of the developers, but certainly not the fictional headcase seen in-game. It certainly doesn't mock mental illness anymore than TV shows like South Park do. The only difference here is that Manhunt 2 is the current hot potato, so why not jump aboard and ride it like a rocket-powered camel?
What do you think, dear readers? Does Manhunt 2 reflect poorly on mentally ill people? Who in their right mind (no joke intended) would view this game as a representation of genuine mental illness in the first place? Do you, like me, find Fitzpatrick's comments just a little bit misguided, however good-hearted, and agree that this is only an issue to those going out of their way to look for the problem?
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Fitzpatrick's comments seem to be misguided. I wonder if he has played the game? I might play this game someday.
Ban Mario.
Lol. You just had to say that, didn't you?
So yes, manhunt does add a negative perspective to the concept of mental illness but none more than a cheesy slasher flick.
But Jim, do me a favor... fact check some. This is the second statement released by him. He initially had a statement on November 2nd. Thanks!
1. would understand how to turn the game on
2. figure out the initial start up screens to even play
3. get past the first nut job (in the game).
This game was not to represent anyone but to bring something close to zombie and crazy people onto a video game format and be something fresh and new.
ps: Eating at McDonald's will make you fat lets ban that before we go crazy over a video game that will never be seen from someone in a nut house.
pps: Can someone crazed even figure out Tetris or Solitaire?
rockstar use to make great games like midinght club,gta,bully,red dead revolver but now they suck ass
It is a very silly statement.