The International Nanny Association (INA) isn’t feeling overly matronly about an achievement said to be in the upcoming Electronic Arts game Dante’s Inferno.
According to UGO, the “Bad Nanny” achievement is designed to reward players who slaughter “a yet undetermined number of unbaptized infants,” leading INA to say that the game component was “created out of poor taste and bad judgment.”
The group continued:
INA is opposed to video games that promote and encourage players to "kill" babies, even in fantasy play. It is our opinion that this type of play may promote violence towards children. The name of the trophy or achievement, "Bad Nanny," is offensive to our association in that we strive to promote and educate the public regarding the selfless work nannies do to support families by providing quality in-home child care."
INA urged its members to email the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) with concerns and complaints. The ESRB responded, noting that the game has not yet been rated, before adding:
…it should be understood that our job is not to censor potentially tasteless or objectionable content nor dictate to publishers what type of content they may include in their games. ESRB’s role is to objectively evaluate a game’s content and assign age and content ratings that will be helpful in allowing consumers to make informed choices.
Comments
Re: Nanny Group Outraged by Dante’s Inferno Achievement
Naturally, the first and most obvious question that needs asking is: Did EA put them up to this?
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I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.
Re: Nanny Group Outraged by Dante’s Inferno Achievement
"Did EA put them up to this?"
That seems kind of likely. Consider this: How often do non-game-related groups pay attention to individual achievements in unreleased games that haven't even been ESRB rated yet?
If this complaint were real and unprovoked by EA, I'd expect it to come well after the actual release of the game, a la the Cuban and Haitian-related complaints made about GTA: Vice City.
Re: Nanny Group Outraged by Dante’s Inferno Achievement
I agree, I mean, does this group have a person whose specific job is to sift through up-coming games for objectionable material? What are the chances a group like this would find out one specific achievement well in advance of anyone else?
My guess is there was an "anonymous" tip-off sent their way.
EDIT: Found their page on Facebook and it is true. It's also true that only 3 people have even commented on it :-P
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I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.
Re: Nanny Group Outraged by Dante’s Inferno Achievement
The sad thing is either one is possible. People are so sensitive these days and can't take a joke, and EA (or at least their marketing dept) has shown they have no shame. So either way it's just sad.
Re: Nanny Group Outraged by Dante’s Inferno Achievement
I would wager this has less to do with sensitivity, and more to do with relavence. The board member is trying to matter, trying to be known, trying to make an impact on an unrelated industry for reasons that are likely close to 'for its own sake'.
*shrug* some people just like feeling imporant, known, or effecting things outside their own little pond.
Re: Nanny Group Outraged by Dante’s Inferno Achievement
Oh god they are pulling a zippy!! 0-o
:P
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