News
News Outlets Outraged by Torture Game
Express Their Disgust by Advertising It For Free
In this era of controversy over violent games, I usually find myself on the defensive side of things. When a watchdog group or overzealous mom starts accusing game makers of including rape scenes, cop-killer training modes, or, well, more rape scenes, I’m usually right there to defend the games and their creators against unfounded and inaccurate accusations. Sure, GTA IV relies heavily on the ability to kill anyone you come in contact with, but there’s also a deep, rich story that ensures that the violence make sense. Games like God of War and Ninja Gaiden may feature gratuitous amounts of dismemberments and beheadings, but in the context of the stories and settings, the violence is justified. See, easily defended.
This one, though, taxes even my ability to rationalize and make excuses.
Over at Newgrounds, there’s a new free Flash game that’s been getting a lot of attention, and while I played it extensively, and can’t deny that I enjoyed it, I also think it might be over the theoretical line of decency. The game is called The Torture Game 2, and it’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like. You are presented with a lifeless marionette, which hangs from two ropes attached at the wrist. You are also given a variety of deadly weapons, such as a chainsaw, razor blade, shotgun, and spikes with which to butcher him. There’s even a decent physics engine that allows severed limbs to fall to the ground realistically, and an option to upload a picture of a friend’s (or enemy’s) face to slap on the mannequin.
Is it fun? Absolutely, for those with no qualms about torturing a fictional, anatomically incorrect dude. But is it wrong? I can’t say for sure, but it sure doesn’t feel right.
Regardless, the blood-soaked torture sim caught the attention of several news outlets, most notably Fox News, who was so disgusted by the game that they played about 3 minutes of real-time video of the game in action on their America’s Newsroom. Fox’s outrage, of course, caused thousands of viewers to look up the game and play it, helping out NewGrounds and the game’s creator, 19 year-old Carl Havemann immensely.
To be fair, it should be noted that while Fox News’ anchor was clearly disgusted by the game, they did allow their guest, Melissa Henson from the Parents’ Television Council, to offer a differing opinion. For once, the guest was actually allowed to talk and was listened to by the hosts. Perhaps Fox News is turning over a new leaf.
Here’s the link to the MATURE RATED game. If you’ve got the stomach for it, give it a try and let me know what you think. Is it an evil simulator, designed to desensitize children to torture, or are people overreacting to a silly little Flash game? I’m too disturbed by my own fascination with the game to form any sort of cogent opinion on the matter.
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Comments
I played this today for the first time, but I hadn't hear any of this associated outrage. To be honest, this is a really disturbing piece of software. I played for a few minutes before I felt like a jr. serial killer torturing kittens.
Because of the first amendment, the creator is allowed to make this sort of game. I would never think or say that this game shouldn't be allowed. On the other hand though, just because he's free to make something like this doesn't mean he should.
\my 2¢
Games like this probably shouldn't be produced, but you know they always will.
This is probably a testament to how bad we Americans are as parents. Instead of ignoring this, we put it in the limelight and thus encourage copycats and undeserved praise. I bet this game would have disappeared into the foggy depths of the internets had no one said a word about it.
Hold on, hold on, wait just one minute...
Do you mean to tell me that Fox News is being less than responsible in their handling of a video game story? How can that be? They should be more careful...
Seriously though, who the fuck cares? The president and vice-president of this country sanction actual torture, and the news can't give a shit. Some idiot makes a flash game, and we're ready for Congressional hearings?
Go back to sleep America.
But but but...think of the children!
I think something like this, which is far past the line of simulated violence in popular video games will have one of two effects on people. Either it will make you uncomfortable and you'll stop playing. Or it won't and you'll play it until you realize it's boring (read: 5 min), and then you stop playing.
There is no purpose for this game other than to stir up controversy. Kids who don't like it, won't play it and kids who would like it have far more entertaining ways to be destructive and delinquent.
/ignore
I'm with Sean on this. 3000 dead soldiers, half a million dead Iraqi's, and countless "enemy combatants" tortured. We're subject to and desensitized by this type of violence every day. A game like this isn't the cause, it's the result. You want to blame somebody? Blame the military industrial-complex. This game being news is meant to distract us from the real problems in the world. I say ignore it.