Posted by Derek Yu
Tue, 15 May 2007 16:16:00 GMT
Zi-Xiao Liang, creator of Scientology PWNED, has informed me that his game (in which you blow away the faithful followers of Xenu) was the target of local police, who are making him change the name of the game.
I don’t really have an opinion either way, but I suggest that the name of the game be changed to “American McGee’s Scientology PWNED,” therefore putting all the blame squarely on American McGee. And because we also need more games that have American McGee’s name in the title!
Check out this IGDA thread for more info.
Posted in Shoot-em-ups, Social Impact, Community | Tags ZiXiaoLiang | 30 comments
Posted by Derek Yu
Wed, 02 May 2007 13:36:00 GMT
Peacemaker is a game that simulates the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
When I hear about a game made around a real-life sociopolitical issue or event, I always alternately get this feeling of excitement and dread. Excitement because I think of the potential and dread because I think about the general lack of sensitivity in the game industry at large. There’s also the problem that a commercial game company would never make a serious game about politics, but then most indie game companies lack the experience and resources to make one that’s good.
Case in point: SCRPG, which we can all agree was just too ugly and hastily made to bring anything but flames down on the game industry. Controversy is great, but did we learn anything from that game? I didn’t.
Thankfully, Peacemaker, which was created by a Carnegie Mellon student and is now being sold at its website for $19.95, seems to have been crafted thoughtfully and objectively, with regard for both the conflict as well as the game’s design and presentation. I’m not very far into the demo, so it’s hard for me to gauge how well it works as a strategy game, but the theme and presentation makes the game incredibly compelling. In terms of educating people about the conflict and expanding the genre of sociopolitical games, Peacekeeper is a monumental success, I believe.
Here’s a nice Gamasutra article that goes into more detail about the gameplay of Peacemaker.
Posted in Macintosh, Social Impact, Windows, Strategy | 3 comments
Posted by Shapermc
Thu, 12 Apr 2007 14:43:00 GMT
Since returning from GDC this year I’ve seen just about one new article, column, or feature per week which has discussed, criticized, or highlighted SCMRPG!
Hit the extended for a short list of possibly the most talked about game from the independent community ever.
Read more...
Posted in Social Impact | Tags DannyLedonne | 18 comments
Posted by Tim
Wed, 10 Jan 2007 20:39:00 GMT
Here’s an absolutely different take on the issue, the approach adopted by one of the Slamdance Finalists. As a participant of the event, Jason has first-hand experience from the entire situation and there’s no better place to keep up yourself updated besides this link.
Plus, if you scroll all the way down there’s a note from the Slamdance Games organizer himself. Click here to read the interview with Danny Ledonne, the creator of SCMRPG. Conducted by Jason Rohrer.
Posted in Social Impact, Community, Competitions | 4 comments
Posted by Derek Yu
Sun, 07 Jan 2007 14:48:00 GMT
“Slamdance finalist Super Columbine Massacre RPG has been officially kicked from the festival due to mounting pressure from protesters and the loss of sponsorship, the game’s creator told Kotaku Thursday night.
This is the first time in the Slamdance Festival’s 13-year history that a game or film has been removed from the festival due to criticism or outside pressure.” (Read More)
This rather mediocre (as a game, at least) RPG continues to stir up controversy. I won’t bother to discuss my own opinion of the situation. It’s easy to understand why every side is doing what they’re doing.
Of note is that Braid, the innovative time-altering game from last year’s IGF has dropped out of the competition in protest of Slamdance’s decision.
Update: A bunch more games have bowed out and an official letter of protest has been issued. And other crap you can read about here. (Thanks, Shih Tzu!)
Posted in RPG, Social Impact, Community, Competitions | Tags DannyLedonne | 39 comments
Posted by Derek Yu
Mon, 04 Dec 2006 19:24:00 GMT
The short description of Ayiti: The Cost of Life is that it’s like Oregon Trail, except a lot more topical (and consequently more depressing). Control a family of five living in modern-day Haiti as you battle a lack of educational options, poor working conditions, and bad weather.
Some background about the game:
“Playing 4 Keeps (P4K) is an innovative youth media project that involves a team of Global Kids youth leaders at South Shore High School in Brooklyn, New York, USA. These young people learn to develop and produce socially conscious online games, while gaining skills in game design, digital media, leadership, and peer education. The program is a collaboration with the award-winning online game design company Gamelab, with whom the Global Kids Leaders have worked closely in the production of the Ayiti game.”
I’d love to see more programs that get kids engaged in making educational games. Thinking back to my younger days, if you told me that we were going to make a game in class, I think my level of interest in the particular subject would have raised about a billion percent. And what other media requires such extensive creative, artistic, and technical skill? And then the final product is something that can educate OTHER people. It’s a no-brainer, right?
As a game, The Cost of Life is a well-made and fairly entertaining, although there are improvements that could be made to the interface. More information would make the results of your decisions more understandable. How much more money am I making if I “Work Hard” as opposed to “Take it Easy?” How much healthier is Patrick (stricken with Diphtheria) going to get staying at home and resting versus visiting a clinic?
Of course, The Cost of Life is also supposed to be a bit of a life simulator, and how often is it in life that we know the answers to those kinds of questions? Striking that perfect balance of educating and entertaining is difficult. But these types of games are getting closer day by day, I think.
Posted in Browser Games, Social Impact | 3 comments
Posted by Derek Yu
Thu, 02 Nov 2006 14:58:00 GMT
Final boss: global warming?
Posted in Adventure, Social Impact | 7 comments
Posted by Derek Yu
Fri, 27 Oct 2006 17:03:00 GMT
Man!...ifesto Games is scheduling an IRC chat to discuss that most horrible of questions, are games art? Well, we all know what Roger Ebert thinks… what do you NHP-TIGS readers think?
Personally, yeah, I think you could consider video games an artform. Why not? How is it hurting anybody to call games art? The fact that it’s a commercial business, that games are mass-produced products, makes no difference to me. Why should it? Every other artform is commercialized – packaged and repackaged for a mass market.
Video games have altered the way we interact and the way we think. They are an inexorable part of our every day lives, even if you don’t play them. They can be socially conscious, poignant, visually beautiful… hell, even Grand Theft Auto is social commentary if you see it as a reflection of an urban culture obsessed with sex and violence. They make people talk.
And in response to Ebert’s quote that video games “represent a loss of those precious hours we have available to make ourselves more cultured, civilized and empathetic…” I would say tell that to the young Chinese kid who bonded with his dad through Zelda, who understood the power of visuals and music by watching the snowy intro of Final Fantasy VI, who felt genuine despair when Nei battled Neifirst in Phantasy Star II… and who basically became inspired to create himself because of the games he played as a kid.
Posted in Games and Art, Social Impact, Community | 40 comments
Posted by BMcC
Wed, 20 Sep 2006 11:56:00 GMT
Perhaps we need a new category for “newsgames.”
Ian Bogost of Persuasive Games has announced Airport Security, the first in a series of satirical Flash games commissioned by Shockwave.com and Addicting Games called The Arcade Wire.
The game has you managing (of course) an airport security line, removing prohibited items from potential passengers and their luggage, while keeping up with the constantly-changing security regulations.
Hooray for games with a message! According to Persuasive Games’ site, it’s their bread and butter:
“Persuasive Games is the natural choice of leading advocacy groups and lifestyle brands who want to communicate effectively through electronic games.”
On one hand, it’s exciting to see games that move beyond mere amusement, that have a message and real-world impact. On the other hand, as Ian himself admits, the vast majority of topical games are no more than passing novelties.
What do you, the loyal TIGSource readers, think? Play the game and judge for yourselves!
(Source: GameSetWatch)
Posted in Browser Games, Social Impact, Freeware | 8 comments
Posted by Derek Yu
Fri, 26 May 2006 13:39:00 GMT
“Columbin,” the creator of the controversial freeware game Columbine Massacre RPG, has been revealed as 24-year-old Danny Ledonne, an Alamosa filmmaker. Kotaku’s Brian Crecente has written an interesting profile of Ledonne and his game for the Rocky Mountain News, explaining the creator’s background and reasons for making the game. His (Ledonne’s) views on film and games are also interesting.
A quote and some commentary after the jump… because I always wanted to say “after the jump.”
Read more...
Posted in Social Impact, Community | Tags DannyLedonne | 3 comments
