Sunday 8 August, 2010

I downloaded Super Columbine Massacre RPG online and I started to play. At the beginning it was easy. I started to play as a third person view. I used the arrow keys to move in all direction. Whenever I want to accomplish any action, I face the item and press “SPACE”. There were always instructions appearing on the screen when I want to go out of any room with out finishing my mission. I noticed many bad words and the font on the screen was not clear for me because it is pixilated. The missions were described on the screen in a green bobble.

I did not know what is a RPG game. I felt that something is uncompleted until I found this simple definition. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a role-playing game (abbreviated RPG) is “a game in which players take on the roles of imaginary characters, usually in a setting created by a referee, and thereby vicariously experience the imagined adventures of these characters.'' (Source of definition: www.darkshire.net)

I was enjoying Super Columbine Massacre RPG until the moment when I knew it is based on a real tragedy. I was surprised when I knew that the game is a representation for a gruesome event. I think it is even worse than presenting the 9/11 to the whole world. In fact, Super Columbine Massacre RPG tells a story about a murder of thirteen students at a high school. There were two boys who were responsible for the awful murder. These boys are Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold . In the game I took the role of Eric at the beginning of the game while Dylan was giving me the instructions.

I started the game from Erick bedroom when his mom woke him up. I wanted to get out of the room to see what is next but I couldn’t because I had to make a call with Dylan. At the first I did not understand what I should take from the basement. Then when Dylan came and talked to me, I knew that I should collect guns, bombs, and a duffel bag. After collecting everything I left home. I was wondering how they used real photos for everything related to the crime. The designer is so serious about presenting all the facts about the event. I felt that it is not just a game but it is a very stressful imitation of a real misery.

In my opinion, it is awful to turn a massacre to a game which players will enjoy while families of the thirteen victims are suffering. Who would we blame for inventing this depressing game? Should we blame the killers at the first or the designer who is glorifying their gruesome action by making a whole video game about it? Winda Benedetti from msnbc.msn.com, stated that “the designer of the game Danny Ledonne has been called a “disgusting and sick individual,” a “monster” and the “Antichrist.” The press has grilled him for three years running. His life has been threatened multiple times after he did Super Columbine Massacre RPG”.

My initial reaction of Super Columbine Massacre RGP is absolutely negative. I think the media and the people who were affected by the shootings also do not agree with the content of this game. Danny Ledonne is responsible for presenting bad stereotypes about teenagers in high schools even if it is based on real story. This is not what teens are doing in schools and it is rarely happening. He is giving a bad representation of American teens and many people would think that most teens at high schools are involved in crimes. This representation is what we found in media, which has its powerful role on people especially on teens. Advertising the crime through a videogame is not what our teens need. They need more respectful kind of games that do not contrast with values and virtue ethics.

"it is awful to turn a massacre to a game which players will enjoy"

Do you think the point of the game is for it to be enjoyable?

"Do you think the point of the game is for it to be enjoyable?"

No, I do not think this is the main point for the game but I am sure that there are some players who will enjoy it. I think the Enjoyment is a part of any kind of game but not always the main point.
What I wanted to convey that there are many people who think that games=entertainment. Therefore, this game is painful for them because the creator turned their tragedy to an entertainment.

Ah, ok.
However, how responsible should the creator be with regards to misinterpretations of the public? (e.g people that think games = entertainment only)