Cruel Acts in Video GamesBy Locke on January 27th, 2010
I remember Modern Warfare 2 getting on the news for the infamous “No Russian” level, a level that could be entirely skipped if they so choose. In it, you play as an undercover agent for the good guys, harming innocent civilians in an airport to earn the approval of the bad guys. This level got flak from the media, saying that Infinity Ward went a little too far with it. I personally thought it set a serious tone for the rest of the game, allowing for you to take up arms against true injustice. This was much like a moment in Metal Gear Solid: PO, only it was your troops being harmed. I remember the media mentioning that this was a new low for video games, and something we had never seen before. Incidently I have recently picked up Warcraft 3 again, and I came across the mission “The Culling” where Arthas and his men kill infected civilians in order to prevent them from turning into undead. Furthermore, it was a race between you and a demon to see who could kill to 100. I understand that perhaps it wasn’t the same to people back then, Warcraft has a highly stylized form of characters. Its cartoonish almost, but to me it had the same effect as “No Russian” did. Destroying the town of Stratholme felt dirty, especially since I knew that these people were hiding in their homes, forcing you to knock in their walls to hurt them. Just a reminder that game developers are not twisted individuals who take pleasure in making you hurt virtual people. They are artists and storytellers. All of the tragedy in the games we play are meant to take the story forward and strengthen the emotional content as a whole. /soapbox. -Locke |
Couldn’t agree with you more.
I completely agree with you. These things arn’t added in because we are saddistic evil people but because it pulls on you emotionally. It is made to be shocking and bad feeling on purpose. “No Russian” was a great level, although the concept that only a few guys would be able to do what they did is fairly unrealistic and that part bothered me. I felt it was important to set the tone and draw you in emotionally to the game. And I know i have seen several scenarios like this in games before, though i cant remember the games it really isn’t a new thing, rather its just something that hits a bit closer to home.