OK, so it's not a big surprise that Manhunt 2 looks to be falling pretty flat with the gaming community. But remember, there's still all that expectation of controversy that the mainstream media has been gearing up for! This evening, both ABC and CBS news had segments on Manhunt 2. We seem to have missed the CBS one, but we did catch the ABC segment. We'd love to share the package with you, but the networks are quite behind the times and we can't seem to find the segments anywhere on their sites yet (and we're even less sure to find embeddable code). If it finds its way to YouTube, we'll be sure to post it. (Update: Still no code, but here's CBS' segment.)
ABC.com's news section actually does have a quick rundown of video game ratings and terminology on their site for the utterly uninitiated. CBS took a different approach, however, as CBS.com features Katie Couric's Notebook. "What sets this video game apart is that the player can become physically involved in the acts of violence," Couric says. "Rather than just pushing buttons, the player actually wields a knife, an ax, a glass shard -- to stab an opponent."
Ummm, no. Don't know who writes the copy over there at that ratings powerhouse, but that's just plain wrong. Although the PS2 version would be about pushing buttons -- unless CBS has discovered some new feature -- we're currently unaware of the Wiimote's ability to shape-shift into any of those items described allowing a player to "stab an opponent." Couric then says that research shows violent games cause children to accept violence as an every day part of life. Ironically, a kid with average intelligence should be able to figure that out by watching the first segment of Katie's news broadcast every weekday evening.
Reader Comments (48)
Posted: Oct 30th 2007 8:22PM RobAccomando said
OMFG. FREE Advertising for what seems to be a mediocre game. Gotta love the media!
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Posted: Oct 30th 2007 8:28PM (Unverified) said
I can see why CBS don't allow comments for their videos.
Their servers would melt from all the flames.
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Their servers would melt from all the flames.
Posted: Oct 30th 2007 11:59PM (Unverified) said
South Park is already using "Courics" to measure the size of fecal matter.
South Park season 11 FTW!!!!
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South Park season 11 FTW!!!!
Posted: Oct 31st 2007 12:10AM (Unverified) said
i'm pretty sure that's what he was referencing
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Posted: Oct 30th 2007 8:36PM (Unverified) said
Couric is just a talking-head. Have fun directing your hatred toward a puppet.
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Posted: Oct 30th 2007 8:33PM (Unverified) said
How in the hell am I supposed to let this game babysit my kid when it's violent? Searching for a kid friendly video game takes away from my hooker time, and when that happens, daddy will get upset.
Don't make daddy hit my boy again.
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Don't make daddy hit my boy again.
Posted: Oct 30th 2007 8:41PM (Unverified) said
I can't wait till some company makes an axe with a Wiimote compartment, that would be sweet.
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Posted: Oct 30th 2007 8:51PM (Unverified) said
I couldn't agree more. Whats worse? You know there is a company out there currently designing a dildo with a wiimote compartment.
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Posted: Oct 30th 2007 8:59PM (Unverified) said
Dude! I know! I was at my mom's house (she's 60) and she ran to her top dresser drawer and whipped that baby out.
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Posted: Oct 30th 2007 9:39PM (Unverified) said
@JerJerBinks: I'm pretty sure Nintendo themselves have already nailed that one. Have you seen the silicon wii-condom in person yet!?
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Posted: Oct 30th 2007 10:52PM (Unverified) said
@Rususeruru --- Much to my surprise, Nintendo has already made said dildo. Its the Wii Sports Baseball Bat! They could soften it up a bit, it has to be very uncomfortable in its current state.
http://www.psx-scene.com/wii/images/reviews/brando/wsp/007.jpg
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http://www.psx-scene.com/wii/images/reviews/brando/wsp/007.jpg
Posted: Oct 31st 2007 12:13AM (Unverified) said
nah, i've seen bigger (real) baseball bats inside women, with little lube used
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Posted: Oct 31st 2007 12:26PM (Unverified) said
what? it wasn't in her pussy, it was in her ass, so she's fine
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Posted: Oct 30th 2007 8:44PM RudyHuxtable said
That's a great screen grab of her. She looks a mixture of autistic and constipated.
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Posted: Oct 30th 2007 8:46PM (Unverified) said
Wow. First we get tennis racket and steering wheel attachments for our Wii. Now Katie has confrimed that we can get knife, ax, and glass shard attachments?? This is the best time to be a gamer!
Why didn't Reggie show these at E3?
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Why didn't Reggie show these at E3?
Posted: Oct 30th 2007 9:00PM Anticrawl said
Did she mention the Wii is also getting a plastic bag attachment? It comes free with every purchase at Walmart!
I hate how the news gets away with such slanderous things. They should atleast know a little about the subject they're talking about, liberal media bullshit. Everything is so one-sided in media. Violent games desensitize people, coming up next a bear mauls a 12-year old kid to near-death but he is able to get away when his older brother used an axe to sever the arm the bear was dragging to boy by. Watch this amazing video and see these before and after shots of his face. Following the maul fest is another store of some bimbo celebrity blowing someone on tape, gaining a lot of weight and then losing it via drugs and unnatural surgical methods.
Video games are nowhere near the snuff quality violence of say the Saw movies or things you see in the news. I cringed when I read the article about the man who sawed his own arm off after he got caught under a boulder so he could live but sawing some locust in half in a game doesn't bug me. It's because I know it isn't real and it's so detached from the real world and real people it doesn't bother me.
I don't bat an eye when I beat someone down with a crowbar in a game but when someon brakes a bone or gets hurt in person it still hits me with full force and bugs me.
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I hate how the news gets away with such slanderous things. They should atleast know a little about the subject they're talking about, liberal media bullshit. Everything is so one-sided in media. Violent games desensitize people, coming up next a bear mauls a 12-year old kid to near-death but he is able to get away when his older brother used an axe to sever the arm the bear was dragging to boy by. Watch this amazing video and see these before and after shots of his face. Following the maul fest is another store of some bimbo celebrity blowing someone on tape, gaining a lot of weight and then losing it via drugs and unnatural surgical methods.
Video games are nowhere near the snuff quality violence of say the Saw movies or things you see in the news. I cringed when I read the article about the man who sawed his own arm off after he got caught under a boulder so he could live but sawing some locust in half in a game doesn't bug me. It's because I know it isn't real and it's so detached from the real world and real people it doesn't bother me.
I don't bat an eye when I beat someone down with a crowbar in a game but when someon brakes a bone or gets hurt in person it still hits me with full force and bugs me.
Posted: Oct 30th 2007 8:47PM (Unverified) said
here's the link to the CBS page that has the video.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/30/eveningnews/eyeontech/main3433101.shtml
click on "eye to eye: violent gaming"
it's worth a laugh. They talk about how your exact motions are mimiced in the game, and then when you see the guys motions, you will quickly ask yourself what in god's name is going on.
Reply
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/30/eveningnews/eyeontech/main3433101.shtml
click on "eye to eye: violent gaming"
it's worth a laugh. They talk about how your exact motions are mimiced in the game, and then when you see the guys motions, you will quickly ask yourself what in god's name is going on.
Posted: Oct 30th 2007 9:03PM DWells55 said
"Rather than just pushing buttons, the player actually wields a knife, an ax, a glass shard -- to stab an opponent."
Honestly now, who stabs people using an axe? I man, it's more of a hacking or a slicing than it is a stabbing. Or maybe I'm just not very good at being an axe murderer.
Totally agree about the motions here. The waving of the Wiimote isn't even remotely comparable to actual stabbing. It's a video game, you aren't actually forcing a knife into someone. You're waving a piece of plastic around without any resistance or anything. Pulling a trigger on an Xbox 360 controller in an FPS is closer to firing a real handgun than this is to stabbing someone. This is just the media blowing things out of proportion. Nobody freaked out when kids started swinging plastic swords at each other and having mock sword fights, but as soon as you wave around some plastic in a video game, it's a big deal.
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Honestly now, who stabs people using an axe? I man, it's more of a hacking or a slicing than it is a stabbing. Or maybe I'm just not very good at being an axe murderer.
Totally agree about the motions here. The waving of the Wiimote isn't even remotely comparable to actual stabbing. It's a video game, you aren't actually forcing a knife into someone. You're waving a piece of plastic around without any resistance or anything. Pulling a trigger on an Xbox 360 controller in an FPS is closer to firing a real handgun than this is to stabbing someone. This is just the media blowing things out of proportion. Nobody freaked out when kids started swinging plastic swords at each other and having mock sword fights, but as soon as you wave around some plastic in a video game, it's a big deal.
Posted: Oct 30th 2007 9:09PM Anticrawl said
Then again dude, the use of tools is as natural to man-kind as breathing air. If your kids need a video game to learn how to stab with a knife or use an axe then they are exactly the type of kids who shouldn't watch tv, play video games or listen to music as they are clearly mentally challenged and require special parenting and close supervision constantly.
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Posted: Oct 30th 2007 9:06PM Anticrawl said
Or "unless you and your children frequent violence porn movies or you let them watch rated R movies you probably shouldn't play this game. It's rated M so don't get all flustered over the thought of you're kid playing it, just don't buy it for them and perhaps pay attention to your kid for once, maybe try a little parenting or atleast try turning off the tv every once in a while, sit down with your kids and play a board game like scrabble. If you've lost to much control over your kids from letting tv and public schools rear them then try hitting them from time to time to straighten them out."
Heh
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Heh
Posted: Oct 30th 2007 8:56PM Ubidan said
Found a spot to leave comments, registration req'd though:
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2007/10/30/couricandco/entry3432898.shtml?source=search_story
Reply
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2007/10/30/couricandco/entry3432898.shtml?source=search_story
Posted: Oct 30th 2007 9:09PM (Unverified) said
Posted: Oct 30th 2007 9:12PM (Unverified) said
This is great. She ends by basically telling parents what they should and shouldn't allow their kids to play, and says...
"We already know that too much time playing video games is hazardous to your children's health, but now it may becoming hazardous to the health of others as well."
What a joke. Because sitting on my ass watching your damn TV station all day is so much healthier.
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"We already know that too much time playing video games is hazardous to your children's health, but now it may becoming hazardous to the health of others as well."
What a joke. Because sitting on my ass watching your damn TV station all day is so much healthier.
Posted: Oct 30th 2007 9:55PM (Unverified) said
Seriously, their network is dead last in the ratings because of this stupid bitch who gives a fuck?
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Posted: Oct 30th 2007 9:59PM darth vader said
well you know, katie couric is completely bombing in the ratings and she also has no idea what shes talking about. "games can make you into a violent killer" um..says who? there's been an enormous amount of research done with the link of violence to video games and all of it is inconclusive and hogwash. cbs is lame.
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Posted: Oct 30th 2007 10:06PM SoCoolCurt said
since when does "physically" mean "virtually"? i mean really, i have a Wii and i know first hand that the motion controls rarely mimic real life motions exactly. and in that case, maybe we want kids to play this game so they learn how to stab someone the wrong way! but anyway, this just pisses me off every time the games industry gets a bad wrap when the responsibility lies with parents. raise your damn kids! teach them the difference between right and wrong and you won't have a problem. i have been playing violent video games since forever and i have never wanted to go out and kill a hooker, shoot a police officer, or beat a hobo with a blunt object.
the other thing that irks me is that she keeps saying that kids are the target audience when it's obviously rated M for mature. it's like an R rated movie, you know what to expect from the rating so keep little Johnny away from it. people have to realize that the stereotype that video games are for kids is completely wrong since the mass majority of gamers are 18-24. that is plenty old enough to be playing a violent game and know the difference.
also, they are only hurting their own cause since Rockstar is known to sell games based on controversy. this is free advertisement for them and will eventually lead to them making more games with a similar feel.
uninformed people should really stop talking about things they are uninformed about. period.
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the other thing that irks me is that she keeps saying that kids are the target audience when it's obviously rated M for mature. it's like an R rated movie, you know what to expect from the rating so keep little Johnny away from it. people have to realize that the stereotype that video games are for kids is completely wrong since the mass majority of gamers are 18-24. that is plenty old enough to be playing a violent game and know the difference.
also, they are only hurting their own cause since Rockstar is known to sell games based on controversy. this is free advertisement for them and will eventually lead to them making more games with a similar feel.
uninformed people should really stop talking about things they are uninformed about. period.
Posted: Oct 30th 2007 10:19PM Batzarro The worlds WOrst Detect said
Ha! If games could so well influence, we'd have rogue surgeons, taxi drivers and lawyers weaned on Trauma Center, Crazy Taxi and Phoenix Wright. And I'd be rolling into mechanical devices hoping to destroy them.
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Posted: Oct 31st 2007 12:13AM (Unverified) said
Ok enough Rockstar, its one thing to 'push the envelope' on game violence, sex and general dodginess, but its completely another to push out a rubbish game which is just violent to get the controversy (which you hope = sales).
You did it with GTA, Manhunt and Bully, and reached a peak with Manhunt 2. The reviews say the game is crap, the game looks crap and all that seems to have been done is you've made everyone scrutinize gaming even more (as above article shows, even if it is ridiculous).
You'd think Jackass Thompson was in on this from the begining. Or working at Rockstar.
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You did it with GTA, Manhunt and Bully, and reached a peak with Manhunt 2. The reviews say the game is crap, the game looks crap and all that seems to have been done is you've made everyone scrutinize gaming even more (as above article shows, even if it is ridiculous).
You'd think Jackass Thompson was in on this from the begining. Or working at Rockstar.
Posted: Oct 31st 2007 2:01AM (Unverified) said
Dear god! I think you've got it figured out!
I never thought to think that maybe Jackass Thompson worked for them all along, just doing his part...
It's a rockstar conspiracy I tell ya!
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I never thought to think that maybe Jackass Thompson worked for them all along, just doing his part...
It's a rockstar conspiracy I tell ya!
Posted: Oct 31st 2007 3:08AM (Unverified) said
around most of the world violence is a part of everyday life
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Posted: Oct 31st 2007 8:14AM (Unverified) said
In all these "violent video games will destroy our youth" conversations, they never give the actual advice needed to prevent kids from playing inappropriate material.
Namely:
1.) You control the money, not your kids. They don't get the $40-60 for a new game by wishing for it, they have to be given it.
2.) Find a store that actually checks age, and always go there with your kids. Make sure they always go there.
Couric's segment is utterly ridiculous and without factual context (surprise), but perhaps more importantly continues to treat consumers as if they're nothing but open baskets waiting to have RapeFest XXX shoved in their carts.
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Namely:
1.) You control the money, not your kids. They don't get the $40-60 for a new game by wishing for it, they have to be given it.
2.) Find a store that actually checks age, and always go there with your kids. Make sure they always go there.
Couric's segment is utterly ridiculous and without factual context (surprise), but perhaps more importantly continues to treat consumers as if they're nothing but open baskets waiting to have RapeFest XXX shoved in their carts.
Posted: Oct 31st 2007 8:35AM (Unverified) said
Next up!
The violence on videogames has been taken to a next level in a fighting game called Dragon Ball Z: Budoka...ai Teninkachi, no, Tenkaichi 3, where the player actually acts out launching a massive ENERGY BEAM in their opponents face!
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The violence on videogames has been taken to a next level in a fighting game called Dragon Ball Z: Budoka...ai Teninkachi, no, Tenkaichi 3, where the player actually acts out launching a massive ENERGY BEAM in their opponents face!
Posted: Oct 31st 2007 10:03AM (Unverified) said
For denouncing all of the violence in the video game, they sure showed a lot of the violent game footage. Of course, that is how they get their viewers. Sex Violence, Drugs. Maybe Dan Rather can come back on and do a report on how to make a fully functional Meth Lab again.
This report is not unbalanced. They only mentioned the Wii version for 90% of the report because that is currently the most recognized gaming system in the media. They don't mention the PS2 and PSP versions until the end. There are at least 3 times as many PS2 systems out there than Wii's. They want to make it seem like R* is passing this game out to little kids. They make no mention that R* toned down the killing scenes.
The 20 Something’s "enjoyed playing but re-coiled at the violent imagery." Did they? RE-COILED? In addition, they go to the female of the group who may or may not be (I'll go with 'may not be') an avid gamer and get the "they made it violent on purpose" rationale. Of course, they made it violent on purpose!
Why, WHY, why is Katie Couric giving commentary on the game? "Why anyone would want to play that creepy, disturbing game is beyond me, but....." I don't take my queues from Katie. Only subjugated, depressed Midwestern housewives turn to Katie Couric for inspiration. Now all of these housewives will run around blaming Nintendo for their child's problems.
Parents should have more interaction with their kids. If their 15-year-old wants this game or any game, rent it for them, sit down with them, and play their games with them. You can sit with your child and determine what is appropriate for them. Don't let mainstream media tell you what is best for your children.
Katie Couric is the Anti-Cronkite
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This report is not unbalanced. They only mentioned the Wii version for 90% of the report because that is currently the most recognized gaming system in the media. They don't mention the PS2 and PSP versions until the end. There are at least 3 times as many PS2 systems out there than Wii's. They want to make it seem like R* is passing this game out to little kids. They make no mention that R* toned down the killing scenes.
The 20 Something’s "enjoyed playing but re-coiled at the violent imagery." Did they? RE-COILED? In addition, they go to the female of the group who may or may not be (I'll go with 'may not be') an avid gamer and get the "they made it violent on purpose" rationale. Of course, they made it violent on purpose!
Why, WHY, why is Katie Couric giving commentary on the game? "Why anyone would want to play that creepy, disturbing game is beyond me, but....." I don't take my queues from Katie. Only subjugated, depressed Midwestern housewives turn to Katie Couric for inspiration. Now all of these housewives will run around blaming Nintendo for their child's problems.
Parents should have more interaction with their kids. If their 15-year-old wants this game or any game, rent it for them, sit down with them, and play their games with them. You can sit with your child and determine what is appropriate for them. Don't let mainstream media tell you what is best for your children.
Katie Couric is the Anti-Cronkite
Posted: Oct 31st 2007 11:03AM jquadman said
I say, good for her!!! There are worse things in this world than attempting to educate the masses on a game that CAN affect youths negatively. So maybe she is a little of on her semantics, but the motivation is a good one. Kids should not be playing this game and if one more parent is aware of this game thanks to this broadcast then society is better for it.
I agree that the media often sensationalizes the impact of violent video games, but in my opinion Couric's remarks are not of that variety.
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I agree that the media often sensationalizes the impact of violent video games, but in my opinion Couric's remarks are not of that variety.
Posted: Oct 31st 2007 1:08PM (Unverified) said
Wow! Why is there a lot of hate towards Katie Couric? Sure, it was poor word choice about the Wii, but everyone calm down!
Does she really deserve to be called a bitch? Not really.
She should have said that the controls can simulate the swinging of an axe in order to kill people.
Whatever! I watch still her news show.
In conclusion, parents shouldn't buy Manhunt 2 for your kids, because it's not made/developed for kids. Explain to your children why you have issues with the game and be involved. The Wii also has parental controls. Use them!
I for one, would like to play the game.
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Does she really deserve to be called a bitch? Not really.
She should have said that the controls can simulate the swinging of an axe in order to kill people.
Whatever! I watch still her news show.
In conclusion, parents shouldn't buy Manhunt 2 for your kids, because it's not made/developed for kids. Explain to your children why you have issues with the game and be involved. The Wii also has parental controls. Use them!
I for one, would like to play the game.
Posted: Nov 11th 2007 5:36PM WiredKnight said
"Couric then says that research shows violent games cause children to accept violence as an every day part of life."
False. While there may be a positive correlation, correlation DOES NOT equal causation. When will these idiots learn?
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False. While there may be a positive correlation, correlation DOES NOT equal causation. When will these idiots learn?
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