It's one of those 'write-by-numbers' stories: über-violent/raunchy/politically incorrect game appears, and the Right-Thinking Majority rush foaming to the newsstand, grabbing at copies of the Daily Mail with clammy hands as they combust in a fit of moral panic. Sadly, 'Muslim Massacre' has moved the debate on a tad. (Through the looking glass and into a lunk-headed world beyond parody, to be precise.)
Check out the date-stamp on this story, and then consider this: Muslim Massacre is a game where a US 'hero' must kill followers of Islam to win. Yep, you get rocket launchers and machine guns, and mow down people because, urr, they share religous conviction, but not with you. It's out there now, and it's causing something of a brouhaha.
I'm not gonna link to it, but you can find and play Muslim Massacre for free on the world wide interwebernet. Anyone can play, regardless of age, religious persuasion or ability to grasp the finer nuances of geo-politics.
There's no wit or irony here, this is attention-grabbing, revenge-of-the-nerds wish fulfillment by a hopeless geek with issues. You know, his mum probably didn't make his chips right last night, or something. And the trouble is, it will confirm the opinions of those who believe that gaming causes violence and, you know, the internet is bad. Real bad.
Card on the table: I haven't played Muslim Massacre. But I will give the game's 'creator', Sigvatr, his say (courtesy of the Grauniad): "The bottom line is that I enjoyed making it and it's fun to play."
Er, okay. Sure. Good for you. What's it about then: "If I was to try and come up with a meaning for the game at this moment, it would probably be something along the lines of metaphorically destroying the stereotypical depiction of a Muslim."
Rrrrriiiiiiiggggggghhhhht. That's okay then.
Bah.
Right, homework: before next week, watch an old episode of 'The Day Today', and then watch Sky News. Spot. The. Difference.
Comments
Matt Egan said: Mr Bateman you sociopath loon You can replace the American with Darth Vader and the Muslims with hobbits im still going to play the damn thing Absolutely And why not Theres no satire here just dumbass jock humour that idiots will use to confirm their dumbass opinions - continuing the cycle of misunderstanding and ultimately violence We all suffer
Patrick Bateman said: Quite simply i enjoyed playing this game This game GameWell i think its time to go and massacre a race because someone created a poor game that conforms with my opinionsShut up with your asinine morals you moronsYou can replace the American with Darth Vader and the Muslims with hobbits im still going to play the damn thing
Pilot said: I see that this was a Matts 911 blog blog written on Sept 11thA timely reminder of dick heads in full flight and in the office A timely reminder of dick heads in full flight and in the officeAt least the Al Q boys in practice knew their software games Matt dont do play only guess workAh now I get it says the Rioja Boy
Matt Egan said: MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM M - God of any and every denomination bless you my child
Matt Egan said: Pilot - not a single clue what youre on about But thanks
Matt Egan said: Kex Yiang - theres no cockin review here I kind of thought the fact that I stated quite clearly that I hadnt played it made that clear Dont really give a toss how good a game it is its ill-advised dumb nonsense The world can live without a game called Muslim Massacre
Pilot said: I see that this was a Matts 911 blogA timely reminder of dick heads in full flight and in the officeAt least the Al Q boys in practice knew their software games
MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MU said: MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM MUSLIM
Kex Yiang said: Next time play it before reviewing it it takes the piss out of the American we are the right side cause durr we are AmericaBandwagon jumped now get off it
Matt Egan said: Are we really REALLY equating legal gambling with massacre on the grounds of religion Really Sheesh
Matt Egan said: Erm yeah Quite Nice one Cyril Perhaps next time try less with the clever word play and more with the writing people can understand And thats free Im quite calm thanks I have other things to do with my time you see I like a bet as it goes So do many sensible grown ups I may have missed something but do many sensible adults enjoy blowing up people because theyre you know funny coloured and they dont like booze Dont think so This is a cretinous game However Johns played it I havent Perhaps I will
Matt, Seems to me said: to have calmed down and in doing so forgot his real nameYou want a nameNo need Your rulesRegards Cyril
The real controversy said: is that it doesnt play on Macs Apple fanboys like violence too
Seems to me said: that gambling is perfectly legal and whatever your moral stance on it you have to accept that there are guidelines and age restrictions in place Whereas incitement to racial hatred and violence is just plain wrongSeems a bit flippant to try and compare the two - gambling as I said before is quite legal and though some might see it as immoral not all of us are that narrow-mindedTo Take a Look at Yourselves ye space fillers and Head Count please remove your heads from your bottoms and keep your self-righteous claptrap to yourselves
John "wardrox" said: I played the game when it came out a few weeks ago and its only getting heat now because the well balanced and game-loving Telegraph put up an article I would suggest giving it a play as its firstly not to bad as a gameAlso as I was reading all the articles popping up i got thinking What if this was a game being played in something like Southpark would it be seen as bad thenIm not saying the game is awesome and you should get it for your kids but give it a fair play and then see
Head Count said: It is realistic to guess that a lot more families will be genuinely hurt as a result of Gambling when compared with a tasteless and nasty pc gameSounds like the above poster has scored a direct hit on you MattDont be surprised when others play with blug bloggers Cause its only a real time pc game eh
Matt Egan said: Take a Look at Yourselves ye space fillers real name You yourself are almost beyond parody Certainly beneath contempt You are to be clear making a moral connection between on the one hand a tawdry game that promotes mass murder on religious grounds and on the other a free website that has above the line commercial relationships with software vendors and legitimate gambling websites Grow Up If you have such a problem with advertising you may be advised to seek your web jollies elsewhere
Take a Look at Yourselves; ye said: The bottom line is that I enjoyed making it and its fun to playIsnt this just similar to the PCA Forum Eds insipid and immoral defence when justifying this sites previous advertising for Poker Houses and not fit for purpose and rip-off VistaI believe soYes profits fair or foul is the only game left in some towns
shazadkashmir said: Just goes to show how many people hide behind their keyboard and monitor These kind of people are gutless and dont deserve any sympathy for what will happen to them