Poll: Realism is offensive

[axlryder]

The problem is not 'realism' in video games, the problem is that video games, like comic books in the 90s, have little or no idea of what is realistic.

What is passed off as realistic in games, as in comics, is usually grim 'n gritty juvenile rubbish, an angst ridden teenager's view of what is real or mature or 'grown up', and is in any case utilised primarily as a selling point rather than out of any genuine desire by the developer to tell a 'mature' story.

Realism is often highly overrated. I think a rape/attempted rape scene is inapropriate in Tomb Raider, in the same was as it would be inapropriate in an Indiana Jones movie. Realism has no place in the genre of high adventure.

If CD want to shift Tomb Raider from high adventure to gritty violence and torture porn then let them do so, but it insults our intelligence when they try to excuse the unrelenting sadism and pointless brutality of the reboot as more 'realistic'.

Tomb Raider example aside, your views sound far too 'either or'. You can have elements of action adventure coincide with grim "realism" and execute it very well with genuinely mature story elements. That's pretty much where the dark fantasy genre spawned from. What's more, you make rape out to be this untouchable evil that's only reserved for works of convincing dramatic realism. Have you seen Temple of Doom? That movie is dark as shit. Child slave labor alone is an incredibly dark subject matter that is still very relevant to modern society.

 

[Celi]

The second however with Lara Croft is different. People are complaining not that rape is included but because it's used as a marketing tool to get more people into a game, using rape to advertise for things is just not tasteful.

But it didn't do that, really. It was just one small part of a trailer that got blown way out of proportion. She's been kidnapped by bad guys, one of them tries to rape her, and she defends herself. That's all. It's not being used as entertainment in itself, it's not being glorified, and it's certainly not a gameplay feature.

That being said: realism isn't a catch-all excuse for including whatever you want in a game. If someone made an interactive rape simulation where it really was seriously glorified, "People get raped in real life, too!" wouldn't be much of a defense. I really don't see how realism has anything to do with how vile something is.

 

[skywolfblue]

pretentious wankers

So what are your opinions?

Ah yes, such a friendly neutral ground for discussion?

A prison management game that involves race problems and rape.
Lara Croft almost getting raped by bad guys. Because ya'know, rape doesn't actually exist, not legitimate rape any way *cough cough* stupid fucking republicans *cough cough*.

The problem with those two games is not that rape exists. It's how it's handled. Instead of being portrayed aas something any decent person should abhor, it's being glorified and used as a selling point.

 

[Deathmageddon]

Because ya'know, rape doesn't actually exist, not legitimate rape any way *cough cough* stupid fucking republicans *cough cough*.

One idiot does not represent half a country.

P.S. Please note that I'm only referring to realistic portrayals of things, no just stuff that might piss people off.

Oh, really? Hypocrite.

Mature content is fine, just keep it tasteful.

 

[TheLizardKing]

This sums up my thoughts.

EXACTLY! Why doesn't anybody understand this?

 

[Angie7F]

This sums up my thoughts.

I love this!!

i find that some countries tend to be more "offended" than others.
U.S. is of course at the top of the list, and that is because they claim rights for everything.

I rarely hear the Japanese offended by stuff.
I guess some people are good at shrugging things off than others.