December 28, 2006 -
It's one of the most controversial games of all time - and it's not even a product of the commercial video game industry.
Now, Water Cooler Games (by way of Kotaku) reports that Super Columbine Massacre RPG, a free downloadable game created by would-be filmmaker Danny Ledonne, is up for an award at the Slamdance Guerilla Gamemaker Competition. Winners will be announced in late January.
Ledonne has produced a trailer for the game which draws upon media reactions to Super Columbine Massacre RPG.
Now, Water Cooler Games (by way of Kotaku) reports that Super Columbine Massacre RPG, a free downloadable game created by would-be filmmaker Danny Ledonne, is up for an award at the Slamdance Guerilla Gamemaker Competition. Winners will be announced in late January.
Ledonne has produced a trailer for the game which draws upon media reactions to Super Columbine Massacre RPG.
Comments
Yeah, the game makes no effort to make the two look like heroes. They show just how disturbing the whole thing was, and the Hell section just proves how twisted they'd have to have been.
I hope you're not suggesting that awards be given not based on merit but based on how the public reacts. It's important this isn't the case because any award that is given in such a way would be a sham.
However, that's not why this is one of the most important games ever made. SCMRPG is a game that actually takes its topic seriously. Whatever Ledonne's intentions were with this game, he made a huge stir by making a game that doesn't glorify anything about the killers. It is presented as a "this is what happened, this is some of the reason why, but we don't really know all the reasons." Some of the flashbacks in the game made me feel some degree of sympathy towards Harris, especially the scene where some of the jocks were harrassing him and then the subsequent beating in the locker room. It made him seem more human.
The bright colors also offered a sharp contrast to the very serious topic.
Also, this game akin to the episode of South Park entitled "It Hits The Fan" wherein they said "shit" on the air uncensored. Quoting Wikipedia: The creators of the show argued that they were angry because "if a drama or a serious show breaks the boundaries, it's 'bold' and 'artistic', but if a comedy show [like theirs] tries it, it's just stupid, or shitty, or bullshit.
Just replace "drama" with "movie" and "comedy show" with "video game," and I think you'll see what I mean.
And finally, it's odd that some of the people quoted in the video comment on the game "trying to cash in on a tragedy." I'd wager that Ledonne is losing money, as the game is free and the ad revenue is probably not enough to support his hosting costs. Also, the complaint about bringing up a recent tragedy, to me, seems flies in the face of two movies about the events of September 11, 2001. Yes, the studios behind the movies did donate at least some proceeds of ticket sales, but with the sheer volume of ticket sales, I'd wager that they did end up making a profit.
I remember a comment way back on the GP forums...one gamer had dled the game and played it, only get be revolted and disturbed by it. Now i'm thinking that that's what the author of the game intended.
Anyway, it's my 16th birthday:)
Also, is gameplay the main prequsite for this award? Does the winner need to play very well? Because from what I've heard, SCRPG doesn't.
Nah, I was guessing what the anti-gamers would say. I havent played yet myself. I plan to when I go home and I can download it on my own computer. But no I'm not basing it on how the public reacts.
- Warren Lewis
Consumer responsibility is just as important as Corporate responsibility. So, be responsible consumers.
"They gave this horrible game an award?! What is this world comming to?! They might as well award those two boys for killing all those students!! Come on everyone! Lets start those petitions! Let's organize a boycott!!! How DARE they push this crap on our children!!"
I could maybe fill several pages on what the critics would say.
Thompson? An entire War and Peace sized novel.
(disclaimer - length and size of pages and book are greatly exaggerated but hopefully you get the point.)
- Warren Lewis
Consumer responsibility is just as important as Corporate responsibility. So, be responsible consumers.