Poll: can a game be propaganda?

[ShyWinter]

Did you ever play a game that was just a little too pro-something or anti-whatever?

Remember Medal of Honor? Metal Gear Solid? America's Army? Just about every Tom Clancy game?

Did a game make you feel like the developers misjudged the content? Remember every "gangsta" GTA rip-off? Every "mafioso" game?

Being a rather unimpressionable gamer (I think) I can usually pick-out the bias. I have my own stories for every game I mentioned and numerous movies and animes, but tell me what you think first.

 

[Sexual Harassment Panda]

Everything has a preferred reading. The sensationalism of Americas militiary actions I find particularly disgusting. As for games like GTA. I don't think they do glamourise crime at all. You would have to be pretty stupid to draw that conclusion.

 

[Saskwach]

Yes.

 

[miawallace]

I've played quite a few games which haven't had any moral 'take' on the subject matter when they probably should have. Like in Age of Empires and similar games, on random map games you actually have to commit genocide to win. You have to hunt down and kill every last unarmed civilian, plus sometimes raze their houses, farms etc. It's pretty fucked up when you think about it.

Also, there's a few FPS where you are told to go in and kill the bad guys... how do you know they're bad guys? How do you know YOU'RE not the evil invader/terrorist/whatever? There's a bit in Crysis where you have to do what looks suspiciously like killing a bunch of villagers who are just defending their homes. As an aside, that would make an awesome twist - like you spend the first half of a FPS killing the evil Russian commmies... then it's revealed you're a Nazi stormtrooper.

 

[stompy]

Also, there's a few FPS where you are told to go in and kill the bad guys... how do you know they're bad guys? How do you know YOU'RE not the evil invader/terrorist/whatever? There's a bit in Crysis where you have to do what looks suspiciously like killing a bunch of villagers who are just defending their homes. As an aside, that would make an awesome twist - like you spend the first half of a FPS killing the evil Russian commmies... then it's revealed you're a Nazi stormtrooper.

I'm pretty sure that something along this vein is being done with Haze.

As to propaganda in videogames, yes, at times, it can be outright propaganda. America's Army (at least, it was one of those games) was actually developed by the US Army, to recruit soldiers. Though, I believe the majority aren't. They're just being really patriotic, which the American consumer will eat up.

 

[ElArabDeMagnifico]

I don't think 'propoganda' is the right term, more like just 'very bad attempts to appeal to certain demographics' - cuz cool people buy "Saints Row" - and "Tom Clancy SPECIAL OPS GAMES" - like holy crap man, I'm doing like...secret agent stuff...

-and WWII shooters, GO AMERICA (Britain and Russia is cool too and all, but clearly, America did most of the work, also, France sucks, lawl.)! BOO YAH! TAKE THAT KRAUTS! Yeah, Allied forces > Axis of Evil 8)

It may seem like propaganda, but you see, we've already succumbed to that propaganda during the war, so it's not really 'propaganda' but more 'don't stray too far away from current beliefs of the demographic, just stick with the program ok, Nazi's = EEEEVVIIILLL'

(which is why I like that Company of Heroes: OF let you play as Germans and you got to screw up Operation Market Garden.. Most developers would have stayed too politically correct and stuck to Normandy crap, but they finally broke the ice. Also, I like that CoD is less 'gung-ho america' it has it's moments, but it gives credit to those who deserve it too.)

 

[ShyWinter]

In case I didn't anger anyone with my earlier posts enough to check my profile, I'd like to break that I'm American. Don't get me wrong. I do come from a city that prides itself on fucking up British colonialism (like all ex-British colonies, I guess) but It's not like I have a Kalashnikov under my bed and a "Don't Tread On Me" flag for a blanket. I'm not saying this to raise empathy, I don't want you to censure you're posts for my sake. This is not any response to offense, I'm trying to provide context because I said that I'd share my stories about game catering and I will. Okay, let's talk angry.

When I was 15 I bought (I mean, illegally copied) a game called "America's Army: Operations" (that's right, it's a series). It's an online shooter that requires the player to spend an arbitrary number of hours in what's called "Basic Training". If you ask me, it should have been "Kindergarten". I knew something was up when I shot my Drill Instructor out of boredom, watched him ragdoll to the ground, and then herd him say "Don't worry, you'll do better next time." I'm no expert, but I'm sure US Army DIs aren't THAT forgiving, and I'm scared if they are. When I finally got online I had to read though about 3 pages of text about parachuting history, and when I got to playing I was kicked from the server over accidentally shooting a teammate, which was a feat because every in game gun except the M16 was an inaccurate piece of dog crap. Before I could play again I had to read a speech about honor and values and shit. I think the Army missed the fact that they were making game and not a recruitment tool (I know what your about to say). The fact that the Army made this game is even more disappointing.

Well, I bet none of you are really surprised. I've just had trouble pointing this sort of thing out to some. Tell me more stories of you discomfort with games.

 

[000Ronald]

Am I the only one who's played any Barbie game? If you don't think that's outright propiganda, then I can't help you.

Anything can be propiganda; books, video games, paintings, food (freedom fries, anyone?) That's why you have to keep your guard up at all times.

Apologies for ruining the term "Freedom Fries" for everyone.

 

[Fire Daemon]

Yes, whithout a single doubt.

What is the deal with freedom Fries? Why not call them chips like the rest of the sensible world?

 

[JakubK666]

Well compare the number of Vietnam video games to WW2 video games.That's about 10 to 3000.

 

[stompy]

What is the deal with freedom Fries? Why not call them chips like the rest of the sensible world?

I think it stems from their hatred of the French... which is funny, because I remember reading something, where the same question cropped up, and this statement followed:" It's kinda funny that they're changing the name 'French Fries' to 'Freedom Fries'. It means they equate the French to freedom..."

And with that, I'll take my leave...

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Hey, Comics used to be blatant propaganda.

If you are at all offended by racism, don't click here. [http://www.superdickery.com/propaganda/1.html]

This was sold to young kids with the Government's blessing.

'don't stray too far away from current beliefs of the demographic, just stick with the program ok, Nazi's = EEEEVVIIILLL'

True, but even that Nazi's thought that... [http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=SO5WoLnOOlU&feature=related]

 

[Fire Daemon]

Nothing Quite like Disney propaganda [http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ASW3UCc17AI&feature=related]

 

[ElArabDeMagnifico]

True, but even that Nazi's thought that... [http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=SO5WoLnOOlU&feature=related]

That was hilarious, but they still had a "peace" (but thanks to them now everyone thinks it means 'kill the jews' - yes I'm talking about the swastika) symbol as their banner and a nice big eagle holding it for the officers, and then there's the iron cross, but I don't know if those symbolized evil or not. I doubt they actually thought of themselves as evil - but the SS, eh, probably, they were crazy.

(Also, I think the skulls WERE the 'skulls of their enemies' - or at least a symbol saying 'we are going to kill you!' - because there was more than just a skull on there, there were stick grenades or something sitting around it.)

 

[JakubK666]

Nothing Quite like Disney propaganda [http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ASW3UCc17AI&feature=related]

This made me cry...honestly is this what our society comes down to?

 

[Pseudonym2]

Nothing Quite like Disney propaganda [http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ASW3UCc17AI&feature=related]

This made me cry...honestly is this what our society comes down to?

Have you seen Dr. Seuss's racist caricatures?

Walt Disney testified before the House Committee on
Un-American Activities to say a strike was caused by communists. That screen from Fantasia where one of the artists is chained to his desk is based of what Walt actually did to his employees.

 

[PhoenixFlame]

Without a doubt games can have propaganda in them. The more interesting question is, knowing a game has that kind of propaganda, would you still be playing, or would it either turn you off to the point of not purchasing?

Propaganda loses its power the minute it stops being listened to.