January 24, 2008
Here at GamePolitics we're sensitive to the various religious persuasions (or not) of our readers. I mention that right up front because the pair of mini-games discussed in this article will surely be offensive to some.However, both are also at the nexus of video game tech and politics, so we'd be remiss not to cover them.
GoLeft.tv's Moral Kombat (screen shot at left) pokes fun at the influence of religion in Republican presidential politics. By the way, the Moral Kombat mini-game should not be confused with Spencer Halpin's documentary film of the same name. (Via: Nullifidian).
Meanwhile, Art Threat reports on Molleindustria's Faith Fighter:
The political video game prodigies at Molleindustria have tackled religion in their latest game, Faith Fighter. The game aims "to push gamers to reflect on how the religions and sacred representations are often instrumentally used to fuel or justify conflicts between nations and people."
Comments
I knew that..
That being said, it's expressive, if not actually instructive, from the sounds of it.
I do notice the disclaimer and the ability to censor based on one single religious belief. Either the implication is that some organization will be so offended that the creator's life would be in danger, or the creator believes that only that one particular religion's followers will be extremely offended.
Pah! It's expression, and in the end, what's wrong with that?
Nightwng2000
NW2K Software
Creating a "political" game is more then pigeon holing religious or political figures into a generic fighting game. Are people honestly so devoid of new ideas that they can't look past "fighting game" when it comes time to design a game that's making a statement?
Well, it's a good start, at least. Moar plz.
Nightwng2000
NW2K software
I completely agree. The games "purpose" is nothing more than an excuse for the developers to use inflammatory (read: publicity-gaining) characters.
Honestly, I would rather see a RTS set in Israel with realistic characteristics (ie Western technology and production capacity vs. Near East control of resources). You could then evoke religious feelings for a performance boost. That would strike at the heart of the issue.
The existence of God has never been the problem, the conflict occurs among the men trying to reach Him. Having Jesus fight Xenu misses the point.
*passes the popcorn* Hopefully it will be a better show then they normally have.
Gift.
Wrong Article..
EZK: He was spamming the threads, so he is gone now.
But then again, I never liked fighting games anyway.
That's a rather good point made.
I'm not a US citizen, so I can't say for sure, but that sounds like a whopping generalisation and over-simplification from where I'm sitting.
Too late.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/25435/Pope-condemns-video-games