ManHunt2 Blasted for Mental Illness Link

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) today condemned the controversial videogame MANHUNT2, calling its portrayal of mental illness irresponsible and stereotyped. "NAMI asks Rockstar Games to recall or further modify the videogame MANHUNT2 due to its irresponsible, stereotyped portrayal of mental illness," NAMI executive director Mike Fitzpatrick said in a statement. "We also ask retailers to be responsible in responding to public health concerns."

Released on Halloween, MANHUNT2 enables players to assume the role of a patient fighting to escape from the "Dixmor Asylum for the Criminally Insane." The patient uses a variety of sickening techniques to torture and kill security officers and others in his way.

The game initially received an "Adults Only" rating (players ages 18 and older in the United States), but following some small changes made by Rockstar, the rating was changed to "Mature" (for players ages 17 and older). The British Board of Film Classification was not satisfied with the changes and, citing the game's "unremitting bleakness" and "casual sadism," has banned the game in the U.K.