How many videogame characters have watched die? Now how many of those actually meaningful? There is something unique about murder in videogames in contrast to killing. This week, Scott and I once again spring board off the murderous ideas of Christian Nutt of Gamasutra. Join us while we discuss Shakespeare, revenge, and wanton slaughter. Christian's original article can be found in the show notes. As always, we encourage you to chime in by leaving sharing your thoughts in the comments section.
Some discussion starters:
- Does an excess of killing in videogames dampen the effect of murder?
- Do certain genre's lend themselves better to murder stories?
- Are there specific murder stories that you would like to see in a videogame format or believe would translate well?
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Show notes:
- Run time: 28 min 12 sec
- "Can Murder and Games Meaningfully Meet?" by Christian Nutt, via Gamasutra
- Music provided by Brad Sucks
I think GTA IV is a very interesting example I wish to comment on. There is alot of meaningless murder in this game even outside the mechanic of progress.
ReplyDeleteHowever, even with this backdrop of meaningless murder there are are single deaths that have more meaning.
The Playboy X/Dwayne decision is one that has alot of meaning and I feel that this is so because of the quality of characterization in the game which in itself takes alot from television and cinema through its cutscenes but also the unique approach of the phone and character conversations whilst travelling.
If the choice of Dwayne is taken, he does not fight back when you go to murder him. He stands before you, unflinching, accepting a cruel world that you believe in. Once you reach that point, you have to murder him, and it is murder in a meaningful way.
Thanks for the tip, Gerard.
ReplyDeleteEmbarrassingly enough, I haven't played GTA IV, but it sounds like I should dive in. When it was released, I remember thinking how far the series has come from the old top-down days.