"Manhunt 2:" Most Violent Game Yet?

(CBS)  Just in time for Halloween comes one of the scariest video games ever seen.

The objective: a mental patient tries to escape from a bizarre insane asylum using everything from a sickle to rip out a character's skull to a club to attack a police officer, CBS News science and technology correspondent Daniel Sieberg reports.

As Scott Steinberg, a video game reviewer and author, demonstrated for CBS News, the experience is even more intense when it's played on Nintendo's Wii, which gets players to act out the violence.

"We're going to lure them into the open and then chop them up," Steinberg explained while playing.

"The Wii has motion-sensing controls, and therefore to stab you're gonna mimic a stabbing motion, to swing a sledgehammer or a shovel you would do the same. Unfortunately it's probably not something you would want to have your kids get much practice on," Steinberg said.

That has parents' groups outraged, worried it will be played by teens and younger children.

"It is some of the most horrific, senselessly violent stuff you've ever seen," James Steyer, CEO of Common Sense Media, said.

CBS News invited Dr. Christopher Lucas, a child psychiatrist at New York University, to watch the game being played.

Sieberg asked him if this is a cause for worry for parents.

"I think we don't know at the moment, but I think this is the sort of game that is most likely to have an effect," he said. "Games that actually have players act out things in a physical way, are more likely to have one."

Researchers have not found a direct scientific link between playing violent video games and carrying out those acts in real life. But some studies have shown children who play certain video games become more aggressive and could become desensitized to violence.

The entertainment software rating board has rated "Manhunt 2" "M" for "mature," meaning no one under 17 should be allowed to play or buy it. It's made by the same company - Rockstar Games - that created the controversial and popular "Grand Theft Auto" titles.

What surprised industy watchers is that Nintendo, maker of the Wii, has allowed "Manhunt 2" to be played on its system. Nintendo has been known for its kid-friendly games, but now it will have an edgier reputation that may be good for business.

In a statement, Nintendo told CBS News: "Just as with movies, television, and books, different video games appeal to - and are appropriate for - different audiences."

Sieberg took "Manhunt 2" to a local gaming center and let three 20-something-year-old gamers get their hands on it. They enjoy playing, but even these hard-core gamers recoiled at the violent imagery.

"The game looks like they made it like this just to make it controversial, just to bring something up, because there's no reason for the amount of, the level of violence in the game," said Jackie Waldman.

"This definitely takes the cake as probably the most violent thing I've played," another player, Chris DeMaida, said.

[bugbah]

I have a 17 yr old son, and he knows the difference between video games and REAL life. All these parent groups need not blame the video games and movies and rap music for children gone bad. If you instill good moral values in your child then what is everyone worried about. My teenager loves "grand theft auto" but because he is a well rounded individual he knows you can''t run people over with a car and expect it to be o.k. Put the blame where it needs to be: BAD PARENTING!!!

[niko1415]

I am hoping, that people do not group all gamers as "people who only play violent video game" or "people who play video games become violent murders". I mean, I have read a couple of studies regarding violent video games and the mind of a human being. Except when you read it in detail, there are two problems:

1.) No female subjects are included in the test (stereotyping that only males play video games, which is complete bs)
2.) ONLY violent video games are played (as if video games are the only video games out there, and the most popular, which is also bs)

What people, especially adults, need to do is to get involved in their children''s activities, not JUST monitoring what they are playing, but also tell them that what is allowable in the game world, is not allowable in the video game world. Do not get government involved in this family matter, because it is just going to complicate things, and our current government needs every bit of attention on OTHER important matters, such as how to finally finish the Iraq mess, or try to fix our economy.

[flappyfolley]

'' ...

you''re a girl

don''t go, you know what will happen to you

you know what can happen to you while we''re out here

y''all brought the army into this

if you didn''t do it, why are you so scared

you''re threatening to read me my rights

you''re threatening to give me a fair trial

... ''

[bwessels]

The apologists are out in force. Yes, violent TV and movies are wrong -- two wrongs do not make a right. Ever heard that one?

A 19-year old advertises on Craigslist for a nanny, and then kills her. Or maybe his buddy did, because he thought "it would be funny." I wonder where he got that idea. Popular culture is a sewer, but that''s okay, because we can yell at "bad parents" to leave us alone and let us enjoy our fantasy psychopath appetites. Apparently you are a "bad parent" if you do not throw out all your TV sets and stop walking through stores.

How many of you video game murderers have kids? And if you do, do you watch them 24/7/365? Can you guarantee they never, ever see CSI? Or are you a "bad parent" too?

[phimuskapsi-2009]

PART II:

Parents need to step up and be more involved in their children''s lives. My parents wouldn''t let me play Doom when I was 9 or 10 or so and for good reason, they didn''t want me exposed to violent images. Stop- blaming the world for "exposing" your kids to child molesters, violent media, or offensive media/people, you have control over what they experience, and sure they will go against you some times but for the most part if you teach your kids between right and wrong they will get the point.

What''s really funny is that this "horrible" video game is being showcased on broadcast news, which anyone can watch, so by complaining that kids can play it and then playing it on the tv and showing clips of some of the violence is just as bad isn''t it?

[phimuskapsi-2009]

PART I:

Ah this...again. Manhunt is a violent video game sure, and it''s basically a murder simulator, fine. But here''s the rub...this is a piece of media, it''s no different from sitting down to watch Saw or Hostel which are far more visceral because you are watching real people get brutalized, at least this game the graphics aren''t "photo-realistic" or how bout CBS''s famous CSI, where you see people murdered, gaping wounds, blood, etc. Now this show is broadcast at a time when kids can watch in fact I know of several kids that watch this.

As for Gramma''s question about a gamer who plays this and why, here''s why:

I play it because it''s a game and it''s a fun game. It''s fun because it''s fun to play a challenging game. Manhunt is all about murder (in fact the first one you are making snuff films *against your will*). The violence is fun in the way watching Boxing or UFC is exciting, you get to be evil for a little bit in a fantasy land. I''d rather see someone play this and act out violent acts in a a fantasy land than some psycho getting an AR-15 and killing everyone at their office or school.

People who imitate "art" in any sense, in violence, robbery or whatever are idiots. They were already pre-disposed to violence if they end up going through with a decision to hurt someone. A video game will not cause someone to react negatively in society just as movies, music or tv shows don''t really have a massive effect.

[shoujoboy-2009]

This isn''t my type of game really but I encourage its existance purely out of enjoyment of watching people get worked up. If your kid goes out and kills someone with a sledgehammer it isn''t the video games fault... IT''S YOURS! You fail as a parent and you should be incarcerated for it. Video games are entertainment and anyone with half a brain knows that. I don''t expect to slash at someone with a sword and do 1000 damage and then wait for them to take a turn. I don''t expect to carjack someone and then be greeted by Samuel L. Jackson. I don''t expect to die and then respawn 10 seconds later.

Quit blaming the video games. Stupid people are stupid people and stupid parents are stupid parents. If you don''t want to play the game, don''t play it. It''s just that easy.

[dragonmouse-2009]

I have the PERFECT solution.

I''m not going to buy it because I think it''s a bit too violent for my child. ANDDDD...IF my child says he wants it...I''m going to use the NO word. It''s really EASY...

IF there are some adults or older teens that really want this game and they have the $40-50 in their pockets to go get it...Enjoy.

In general I think a lot of these video games release stress...Unfortunately there are a handful of "warped wierdos" that take things seriously and act out OUTSIDE of the game. But game, movie, news story...it doesn''t matter these "warped wierdos" are gonna do what they''re gonna do or they''ll make their OWN music.

[vermonter52]

I don''t try to understand why people like games where they can beat up or kill someone. I do understand that video games offer some kind of challenge and are some peoples way of unwinding doing something non sensible. but in my opinion a waste of life''s time. But I have seen many of these people who play the games ALLOW their children to play them, join in with them or leave them laying around so they can play them. That part I cannot understand is completely responsible in the mental health of their kids. I do believe these games affect young kids mental health.
Some adults never learn the true meaning of being responsible for their kids mental health. Violent TV shows are not interactive but should be monitored as well. It is a sad world for our children who are now in an electronic world of communications and interaction. No one talks anymore - just email, games and TV.

[kingjeremy77]

Video Games are mainstream media now, people need to understand this fact. Just like movies, Video Games have grown up, they appeal to all ages now. There''s always a major complaint whenever a violent Video Game is released, but it''s not the same for violent movies. Is there a chance Children will pick up this game and play it? The answer is yes and it sucks that they probably will, but they can also watch a violent movie too. Parents, I urge you to monitor what your Children are playing and watching, afterall, it''s your job to do so. Video Games are interactive whereas movies you just sit there and watch, but Children and younger people being exposed to this can''t be any worse than what they''re exposed to on everyday Television, or by what they see on DVD. People need to stop looking at Video Games as "Kids Entertainment", it grew out of that years and years ago. I''m 30 years old and I support games like Manhunt 2. I grew up with the Intellivision, Atari, Nintendo, Mario and just like I''ve grown up, the Video Game Industry has too. There''s games made for Children, Teens and Adults now. Manhunt 2 is not meant for Children or Younger Teens, but we Adult Gamers have the right to play and enjoy this game.