Monday 23 February, 2009

Play #3

During my third play of Columbine Massacre RPG, my frustration continued to grow for the game. I felt like I was not given the option or the ability to perform any other task but one. Unlike other video games, I was not even given the option to choose a different player. The game seemed to be more focused on narration then play. This is evident in the continuous dialogues between the player Eric and Dylan. However, the dialogues did help create the mood of the game. In attempting to compare it to another video game I am familiar with, I was able to notice that the game design is similar to those in the game Pokémon. Other than being similar in the game design, I do not think the game Columbine Massacre RPG and Pokémon have much in common.

In regards to the game play, I found a particular dialogue between Dylan and Eric significant to the game’s narration. The dialogue between Dylan and Eric on the hill appeared to be a moment in which they attempted to justify their actions. “My” player, Eric, suggests that it is their only choice when he states, “It’s kinda depressing but it has to be like that.” In a way, as I mentioned earlier, the creators only allow the player to be involved in the crime and leave them with no other choice. As a result, the creators did not give the player the ability to choose between doing a right or wrong action. Moreover, it makes the game less realistic in reference to the actual incident.

On the overall, I cannot say I found this game entertaining but I am glad I was able to experience a different type of game play. It is a game that illustrates the way the creators can impact its players through its game content. Personally, I was more emotionally affected by the game because it was based on a real life event.

"As a result, the creators did not give the player the ability to choose between doing a right or wrong action. Moreover, it makes the game less realistic in reference to the actual incident."

In what ways is it less realistic? As a player, you actually have the choice of who to shoot (and how many to shoot). Perhaps the comment is that, by the time the shooters got to the school, there really was nothing that could be done to convince them otherwise. They had spent too much time planning and preparing for the event.