Gamer Finds D.C. Smackdown Parody Game Objectionable

Gamer Finds D.C. Smackdown Parody Game Objectionable

December 14, 2007
Last week, GamePolitics reported on D.C. Smackdown, an online game which parodies celebrities, pundits and presidential candidates in a Street Fighter-like interface.

In recent days the game has gotten a fair amount of mainstream media attention, including a piece from the Associated Press.

But Avi Green, an American-born gamer who now lives in Israel, finds D.C. Smackdown in poor taste. On his blog, Green writes:
Let's see what we have here:


A pantsless Bill Clinton chases a herd of Monica Lewinskys, Jesse Jackson hurls Hasidic Jews and Anne Coulter has a special "verbal diarrhea" attack.

What makes [the game developer] think that I find the idea of Jackson attacking Hasidic Jews impressive or even appropriate? It's not... And I don't like how they depict Coulter either...

Ugh, I hate to think of that this'll end up on all the major consoles... This is a truly tasteless game, and I'm not sold upon it at all. Poor taste like this isn't new to games, but it most certainly is getting worse and worse.

Comments

No one ever said that parody was supposed to be in good taste.

But that said, I haven't tried the game, so I don't know for sure.
His opinion is uninformed. There's no way this game will "end up on all the major consoles."
"What makes [the game developer] think that I find the idea of Jackson attacking Hasidic Jews impressive or even appropriate?"

see this is where he went wrong. he assumes the game is made for him.
"Poor taste like this isn’t new to games, but it most certainly is getting worse and worse."

Why is it that whenever people disagree with something it's suddenly a sign of the cultural End Times?

I agree with EZK - it's parody, it's meant to be funny, it's meant to offend and if you can't consider what they're trying to do with at least some perspective then you don't have a sense of humor. Poor guy has a broken funny bone.
Are you serious? Even a little kid could tell that this is political satire.
I personally don't get the jessie jackson/ hasidic jew connection myself...


anybody able to explain it to me? Not that i'm offended I just don't get the joke--
No way a game like this would get within 100 miles of a major console, not even via XNA or a Linux kit.
Personally I think things like this fall squarely into the "just because you can do something doesn't mean you should" camp.

I have a pretty good sense of humor myself, the Marx brothers and Monty Python being among my favorites, but this just isn't even remotely funny.

It is ill informed to think that it would end up on a console, but he does have a point about the abrasiveness of it.
As long as it isn't offensive like Imus isn't poor taste defendable by the first amendment?
"just because you can, doesn't mean you should" Why not? That's the essence of free speech. Once you don't do it, you admit that you agree that everyone should think like that. Fuck that. We're individuals. If someone gets a laugh out of it, it's a success, even if it's just the 1 person who made it. Taste is in the eye of the beholder, and you can't impose your own moral limits on others.
Hey man, did anyone hear something?

It sounded vaguely like a joke going over someones head at about mach 3.


Anne needed a different attack, something that involves spewing acid, or maybe a hell bitch attack?
"What makes [the game developer] think that I find the idea of ..."

And you are... who?

What makes YOU think that -I- should find the idea of what YOU like should be what -I- like and vice versa?

So there! :P

Nightwng2000
NW2K Software
Its parody! It is political satire! Who cares if you don't like how characters are portrayed.

My guess is that he is a fan of Coulter (one of the most racist people I have ever heard, but she loves Jews, he lives in Isreal.....take it from there). He must also be a fan of Jackson. You don't see him complaining about how they display Bill Clinton or any of the other people, just the few he likes.

This game is an equal opportunity offender. Of course you are going to have people who hate it and think its trash just because somebody they like is made fun of.

It is parody people, lighten up.
Sounds like he's carryng a little torch for Ann Coulter, which immediately renders any other point he may have had null and void.
You've given him more traffic then he's ever had and provided him with the first two comments anyone has made in months (if not ever). Who cares? My grandma is offended by Soldier of Fortune wanna run an article on that?
FRIENDLESS LOSER FINDS POOP JOKES OBJECTIONABLE

Today on the internet a lonely, conservative crackpot who no one had ever paid attention to made a blog post about the independently distributed fighting game, DC Conspiracy. The President and Vice President were immediately rushed to a secure facility and the National Guard was called into action. Within hours up to 9 people had read the article and within a day, that number doubled.

"The posts popularity is growing at a threatening rate," said Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, who herself was parodied in the game, "and we are doing everything in our power to make sure this situation doesn't get out of hand."

Video to come.
He must not be much of a gamer if he thinks this is console bound.....
The only thing offensive about the game is how stale and witless the gags are. That, and it refers to Coulter's existence. If everyone would just ignore her she'd go back to whatever backwards dimension that spawned her.
As for Jackson and the Jews it probably has to do with Jackson in '84 referring to Jews in an interview as "Hymies" and calling New York City "Hymietown". For your education "Hymie" is today a racial slur against Jews.
You guys should read the original article; there's quotes in there that explain GP's highlights. For example: "If it sells, Holbrook wants to expand to the Xbox or Wii and include historic politicians and pundits."

I still agree there's no way that could happen, but it did come up in the context of the piece. Has anyone actually played this game yet? It seems like all the opinions I've heard have been based off other interviews, but nobody's done a proper review. Sort of like 95% of the Manhunt 2 news in October.
Ben Yaka: Even if it is offensive, it's still protected. Imus was fired because Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson decided to take a break from blaming police for all their problems. Imus was fired by his employer, not the government.

Which is really stupid since everyone knew he was a dick before. It'd be like people getting outraged that Howard Stern made a fart joke.
" What makes [the game developer] think that I find the idea of Jackson attacking Hasidic Jews impressive or even appropriate? It’s not… And I don’t like how they depict Coulter either…

Ugh, I hate to think of that this’ll end up on all the major consoles… This is a truly tasteless game, and I’m not sold upon it at all. Poor taste like this isn’t new to games, but it most certainly is getting worse and worse."


ummm.....sometimes nothing extra needs to be said....(it went over their head in another world)
I think this Israeli needs to fuck off and shut his fucking mouth, because no one cares about his opinion.
A pantsless Bill Clinton chases a herd of Monica Lewinskys, Jesse Jackson hurls Hasidic Jews and Anne Coulter has a special “verbal diarrhea” attack.

Sounds pretty realistic to me, actually.
Firstly, who is this guy? Why is his opinion being featured instead of... anyone else's?

Secondly, he's allowed to say anything he wants about the game. Just like the game is completely allowed to be made. "I may not agree with what you say..." and all that.

Thirdly, OH NO! IT'S A VIDJA GAME! OUR CHILDREN! OUR CHILDREN!
Folks, XNA and WiiWare.

this could easily be put onto a console, just don't expect it to go anywhere.
"WiiWare".
LOL! Sounds like a brand of diaper! :D

Nightwng2000
NW2K Software
This reminds me of the character that played Chef in South Park, what was his name? Isac or something like that.

He was perfectly fine with the show when they made fun of Jews, Christians, Blacks (even when he is black), Muslims, every other race/religion/difference. But then when they made ONE episode making fun of Scientology (his religion), he decides that's too offensive, and quits.

Like what William said, this game is an equal opprotunity offender, but some hypocrites and idiots (like the guy that played Chef) take some parts offensively, while not caring that other people are being made fun of.
@ BILL

lol hymie..

didn't he come out against micheal richards?

---

hyppocrites in politics?
It is satire, and it is certainly an equal opportunity offender. And yes, I think his Anne Coulter comment pretty much negates any value his words may have had.

If you don't like it, don't play it. The end. If this had been a political cartoon in the New Yorker, no one would have batted an eye.
Never mind that. Did you know there is a so-called magazine that trades by the name "MAD", which any child in the country can buy, that is glorifying flatulence and belching?! Its outrageous.
@chadachada

Actually in the Isiac case, it is a little difficult to figure out exactly what happened there. They story has been pretty muttled, but from what I gathered around that time he had a stroke and then someone described as 'not having the authority to speak for him' announced he was leaving. He still speaks well of the show in interviews so I'm not sure how real the link is.
I love the fact we live in a country where a game like this can be freely sold and enjoyed by consumers. I wonder if a game like this could fly in Putin Russia or Communist China, =P? It's a GOOD sign we have games like these.

...but, yeah, I disagree with the depiction of Coulter. The developers failed to accurately portray her vindictive, hateful, corporate-sucking, bible-thumping, racist, imperalistic, superstitious, freedom-hating, pathocentic, and insane personality.
Amazing, someone couldn't miss the point more massively if the faced in the complete opposite direction.

No-one held a gun to his head and forced him to play it, BUT no-one held a gun to his head and forced him not to either.

He has every right not to like the game, but big deal. I'm not even certain this is news, 'Breaking: Some people take offence at satire' is hardly 'News', to quote Terry Pratchett, it's one of the ultimate 'Olds'.
@Deus

Freedom is having the right to do a thing. Being responsible as an adult is knowing when not to do a thing.

In my opinion this game is wholly immature and doesn't bring a thing to the table except poop jokes and tired gags about Slick Willie's womanizing. All it is, from my perspective, is an excersize in immaturity.

The creator had every right to make it and put it online. Should he have? Well that's another debate.
@Austin Lewis

No-one cares about yours either. He has the right to freedom of speech, just as you do. Why can't he exercise it?
@Pandralisk

I don't think it's sold, I think it's free.
lemme just say...huh...? Why is one Israeli blog news? Must be a slow day or something.
@ Kurisu

No. It is a $4.99 download.
@Pandralisk

The sign of the end times is upon us... I just found myself nodding in agreement with one of your posts. I never thought this day would come! :)
Why are we reporting on some random guy's blog? We all have blogs, will we see a report on everyone's opinion of this game?
Jessie Jackson has a long history of contention with the Jews. Just look at "Hymie Town."
@Todd

Slow news day.
@ Pandralisk

Doing that would take to much time.
@E. Zachary Knight

Oh. well. It's one I couldn't pay for. I don't play fighting games on my PC with the exception of bible fight.
he defended ann coulter in there and thats enough to show that he is nuts.
So wait a minute ONE random blogger doesn't get the satire and thinks the game is bad? And this is newsworthy HOW??

No really this is like the whole resident evil 5 racist ordeal except this person is NOT trying to get the game banned nor is he urging a boycott. All he is doing is expressing his distate in the game albeit for unjust reasons. He also moved to israel when he's 9 which means there's a good chance he doesn't understand what politics is like over here (i.e. extremists, attack ads, a general mistrust of the government etc.).

And of course this is ONE person's opinion and to pretend it represents the general consensus amongst even a miniscule faction of people is dumb.

I honestly see no point of posting this story. One man didn't see the satire and thought it was in poor taste. Big Whoop. This is nothing new (looks at A Modest Proposal).
@jbourrie

That's because she IS an insane hateful individual. No really some kids were reading her book in class and they honestly thought it was satire.
omg...i can't turn away from that screen shot... just hilarious :D
@broken scope:

True, but wouldn't MS/Nintendo have to greenlight the game before it could be posted/featured? Much like nintendo's 'Check Mii Out' channel, IIRC nintendo reserves the right to reject any 'offensive' Miis from being featured, right?
"Ugh, I hate to think of that this’ll end up on all the major consoles… This is a truly tasteless game, and I’m not sold upon it at all. Poor taste like this isn’t new to games, but it most certainly is getting worse and worse."

Even if it does come to the major consoles, people aren't that stupid to blow their money. They'd rather get games that are worthwhile.
Simply, this guy knows nothing about online games,

Online games cover everything and they are NOT marketable to the major consoles...

someone should strongly rebut his comments thought the media before this ever gets out of hand, or else we would have Senators trying to censor the games on the internet...
Wait... He defended Ann? If there was a limit to free speech, can we draw the line there? I joke, I joke.

I am having a hard time understanding his outrage. Who the hell is he and why does he matter? Shouldn't he be worried about more important things? Like all the not so friendly neighbors that surround him? Priorities man!
Wow. All credibility lost when Ann Coulter is mentioned.

I also find it interesting that someone wants to draw the line in the sand over politicians and political figures getting parodied.

Did he ever make a post about Va Tech Rampage?
What the hell is wrong with you? this is a parody!!! it is supposed to be offensive and funny...

"Jesse Jackson hurls Hasidic Jews" is right up there with some politician being called an ass... or in this case rascist....

I see absolutely nothing wrong with this though I haven't played it yet...
this must have been a slow news week, now misinformed bloggers make GP right after youtube videos of people attempting to verbalize respectable questions to politicians with macrame.
whats funny is this guy is offended or upset about this game when it is actually showing US politics as it is. a clusterfuck.
Have you read the guys comment yet?

He compares the game to Nazi Propaganda.

I had to have a go at him over that.
Bet that comment about porting to Wii or Xbox was just a throwaway comment by the guy.

Personally, I'm quite fond of this sort of blunt political satire. If only because it gets people in some way involved in politics.
Come on, that's not fair guys. Anne Coulter is OBVIOUSLY a liberal satirist. She'd HAVE to be.

After all, she claims to be this hardcore conservative, and yet she is a woman, whose place in hardcore conservative doctrine is in the kitchen or raising the kids, not questioning the menfolk in their political work.

QED
[...] Gamer Finds DC Smackdown Parody Game Objectionable Last week, GamePolitics reported on DC Smackdown, an online game which parodies celebrities, pundits and presidential candidates in a Street Fighter-like interface. In recent days the game has gotten a fair amount of mainstream media … credit : http://gamepolitics.com/2007/12/14/gamer-finds-dc-smackdown-parody-game-... [...]

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