Poll: Of morals and videogame characters...

[MasterSteef]

...So recently I watched the Comic-con debut trailer for the 4th DLC Character available for the new MK, and it was revealed to be "Freddy Krueger". I guess its just because I'm a dad, but I just can't condone playing as a child muderer/molester (even if he doesn't do that in the game) like Krueger. I've watched the gameplay trailer multiple times and just can't seem to muster even the tiniest bit of enthusiasm for this DLC Character. In fact, I bought the "Season Pass" for MK on XBL and now I feel a little bit "ripped off" since the 4th Character is now someone who I have no intention of downloading. (Can I get an alternate character or something instead MK team?)

So maybe its just me, but why would anyone root for a serial child molester/murderer character in any piece of fiction anyway? Can someone please explain the appeal of Freddy to me because I am just not getting it (from a parents perspective)...

Also, my fellow escapist's have you ever been in a situation in gaming where (though it may be a work of fiction) you've found yourself unable to play or interact with a certain character because of a conflict of interest between your "morals" and that characters actions?

 

[LiberalSquirrel]

To me, Freddy's a horror character: a character that is meant to inspire fear, disgust, and distaste from his actions. In that, he is successful. I can't say I "root for" him. I don't think anyone "roots for him" as such, and if they do, I have to wonder about their mental health. What I do acknowledge, though, is his effectiveness as a character that inspires horror. As a horror character is meant to.

And, as a fighting game enthusiast, Freddy's play style looks quite fun.

To respond to your more generalized question, I've never been unable to play/interact with a character because of my morals vs. their actions. For example: I play Jin in Blazblue. Does that mean I'm cool with his creepy obsession with his brother, and would be fine if people on the streets displayed similar behavior? Not at all. It means that I like his play style. Simply put, I separate my morals from those in a fictional situation, whether it is a video game or anything else.

 

[UmJammerSully]

...So recently I watched the Comic-con debut trailer for the 4th DLC Character available for the new MK, and it was revealed to be "Freddy Krueger". I guess its just because I'm a dad, but I just can't condone playing as a child muderer/molester (even if he doesn't do that in the game) like Krueger. I've watched the gameplay trailer multiple times and just can't seem to muster even the tiniest bit of enthusiasm for this DLC Character. In fact, I bought the "Season Pass" for MK on XBL and now I feel a little bit "ripped off" since the 4th Character is now someone who I have no intention of downloading. (Can I get an alternate character or something instead MK team?)

So maybe its just me, but why would anyone root for a serial child molester/murderer character in any piece of fiction anyway? Can someone please explain the appeal of Freddy to me because I am just not getting it (from a parents perspective)...

Also, my fellow escapist's have you ever been in a situation in gaming where (though it may be a work of fiction) you've found yourself unable to play or interact with a certain character because of a conflict of interest between your "morals" and that characters actions?

Okay, so you're a dad so you can't condone playing as a fictional child molester, but you can "condone" playing other characters in the same game that tear out people's spines, dismember people's limbs and crack people's skulls open?

I don't get it. It's not real, why does it matter?

 

[Gigano]

Fiction is utterly irrelevant in regard to ethical evaluation; only the actions of real and sapient individuals are subject to ethical evaluation, trying to "judge" fiction is like trying to measure the nutritional value of a fox that's still alive; it just haven't reached any sort of stage where such is possible or meaningful, and it might very well never do so.

I've played as several villainous protagonists who've committed plenty of unspeakable acts over the course of the game, but as long as the story is good, I'll most certainly stick with the game.

Don't like it? Don't buy it. Hurray for capitalism and a free society, where people who like Freddy Krueger can play as him, and those who don't can refrain from doing so.

 

[Azure-Supernova]

You can't condone playing as someony you are aware of as fictional killer, but you're more than happy to play as a soldier making widows and orphans? Sounds like maybe, just maybe, you're being a bit too sensitive to this.

 

[k7avenger]

You can't play as a child molester, but hey, gory violence is A-OK?

How are there even morals involved, its MK were talking about here; a bunch of people coming together to beat the piss out of each other. Seems like he fits right in.

To answer the questions though:

1- I don't think you play as Freddy because you condone child molestation/murder but because you like his moves or his play style. I mean who uses Freddy as a role model, seriously.

2- No, not really. I tend not to judge the morality of characters when I haven't "walked in their shoes" so to say. Its not as if I have my morality dictated to me by a video game. So what if the protagonist doesn't like elves? He may even be racist towards them. I've never met an elf before, so its kind of hard to be prejudiced against something you know nothing about...unless you take what the protagonist says about elves at face value, not doing any research into the matter. But that's your problem if you do, not mine. Hell, maybe the elves really are colossal pricks and deserve every bit of it, maybe not.

 

[Sarah Frazier]

Keep in mind that not all gamers are also on top of the movie scene. I know I only saw a disfigured knife-handed murderer with magical powers and only really manifested when some kid started to fall asleep. Then again I was so scared that I blanked out 90% of the show soon after it was over.

I am agreeing with the others, though. MK is meant to be more or less mindlessly violent with such ridiculous moves that it shouldn't be taken seriously anyways. Freddy is making a cameo appearance, just like when other fighter games have hidden or unlockable characters from completely different genres. Write it off as a cameo and don't buy the unlock, and asy you simply weren't interested if anyone asks.