I think it was originally Superman or Batman that was the first to say,
"The difference between us and the criminals is that we don't kill. All life is sacred! Even the lives of criminals."
Perhaps I took some creative license here. But you get the idea... Video games historically have never subscribed to this philosophy. Just about every popular video game franchise in the modern era is about killing "something." People don't really look at it this way, however. The fact remains however that in most video games all you are doing is killing people. Everything from Counter Strike to Civilization to every World War 2 shooter in history. Yes these people are combatants, but what about games like GTA, Crackdown, Hulk, Saints Row, etc... Every single open world game in history allows you to kill civilians. Certainly there have been consequences in some of these games for this behavior but not in all of them and certainly nothing like, your character goes to jail and gets executed.
So my friends, why are we still discussing this one scene in Modern Warefare 2 when the game is not only not out yet. But these same game journalists saying how uncomfortable they are with all this are the same journalists that gave games like GTA and Crackdown high marks for the creative ways you can kill people. What is the difference? If you cannot separate reality from game reality perhaps you should see a psychiatrist and find another line of work. Also, the few one off criticisms of the game that I have seen and the outrage I've seen are fascinating considering the game isn't out yet and that means that this discussion is completely one sided and in my opinion it is irresponsible to bring it up at this point when there is nothing ACTUALLY that different from this to an episode of the Unit, 24, or any other realistic terrorist show on television which regularly gets critical acclaim. But then I really can't talk too much about it either considering I haven't played the game either.
Well, folks I don't really remember anyone having trouble killing tons of people in Fable and Oblivion. Most reviewers and journalists on podcasts regularly talked about how they played the whole game "Evil" so they can't even speak to how the game plays as good. Well, playing "Evil" means you've killed lots of innocent people. But I guess people in magical worlds don't count either. I guess civilians only count when they look like you and there are terrorists about. Wow, this is really bad news for Modern Warfare 2. I guess they should have gone cel-shaded like Borderlands.
"You think I am the monster, how many people have you killed today Mr.Drake?"
I have a feeling that come 11/10/09 there won't be anyone interested in this scene or any other scene in the single player. Because just like myself everyone's first stop will be multiplayer. To yes, kill lots of people. Oh sorry, those folks don't count.
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