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Oct 28th, 2009 at 15:54:29 - Super Columbine Massacre RPG (PC) |
I've come to accept the inherent irony skillfully crafted into video games these days. Most of the public see games like GTA and Manhunt as products of the minds of what they would say are demented people. But most fail to realize that video game creators are artists, and that they, like almost all artists, have an intent that is not always immediately discernible based on the external content of the game. These creators aren't encouraging the behavior in their games by any means. They are attempting to illustrate the detrimental aspects of our society and avert the very behavior that they recreate virtually. This may seem completely backwards to some, but that is what satire is.
Having said that, I put Super Columbine Massacre RPG in the same group as aforementioned video games and ones similar. To a player who may not be willing or able to grasp the aspiration of the creator, the game seems abhorrent, disturbing, and offensive to those affected by the events. Films like Gacy and Dahmer (coincidentally both of the titles are just the surnames of the subjects at hand) depict graphic pictures of grisly acts the men committed, but the intention of the artist is very obviously not to disrespect the victims or pardon the offenders. These films and other pieces like them explore the harsh realities of these incidents in an attempt to paint a comprehensive embodiment of the distorted consciousness of these people and to find any relative basis for their justifications.
Playing the game, I found myself being caught up in the inert attention to detail in the environments and backstory of the characters. This game was obviously extensively planned and exceptionally executed. I began to forget that I was playing a unusually taboo simulation, and found myself challenged to complete the objectives. It was easy for me to get past the content, so playing it was enjoyable. I'm actually eager to continue playing and see what else it has in store.
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Sep 24th, 2009 at 14:56:17 - Just Cause (360) |
I only have one complaint for this game: it's repetitive. But that does not mean that it isn't entertaining. The main missions and storyline keep me interested but after a while I came to realize that the side missions are the exact same. I've always found it interesting when games allow you to completely contradict your character's actions, morals, and characteristics. But I suppose that's the beauty of controlling your own little avatar. A game this open that allows you to do whatever you want (and actually affect surrounding parties) is simply a way for people to explore the dark side of human behavior. They do what they would do if they had no stakes and there were no consequences.
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Sep 24th, 2009 at 13:04:25 - Just Cause (360) |
It is interesting approaching this game with this specific mindset. As I play, I try to think of the main characters actions and how he justifies them. He is basically a whore throughout, doing what the money tells him. But there seem to be no implications of any feelings when he does what he does. He is a vigilante for hire, taking the regime change into his own hands. Rico and his associates believe they know what is best for a country that they don't really have a stake in. They "know" that they are doing what is best for the island of San Esperito, its inhabitants, and the rest of the world. Rico is taking a utilitarian stand in that he is overthrowing a government and wreaking havoc throughout the island while doing so because he believes that the world as a whole will benefit.
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Sep 22nd, 2009 at 19:49:23 - Just Cause (360) |
When I saw Just Cause was on our classes list of video games, I was intrigued. Admittedly it was one of small hand full of games I knew or played from the list, and I remembered thinking Just Cause to be an enjoyable gaming experience when I had played it around when it was originally released. When I picked the game up, I was anxious to play because I was pretty fuzzy on the details of gameplay and the story. Once the exposition started rolling things began to come back, and once I got a feel for the game again, I was eager to play the game with a specific perspective in mind. I'm excited to try and assess the character's actions and justifications in their politically and socially chaotic world thinking about different themes we've discussed in class. Already I can see aspects of different characters' utilitarian ideals n their thinking they know what is "good" for a large amount of people.
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PStratton has been with GameLog for 14 years, 7 months, and 4 days |
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