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Finding out about a game that has been released in a couple of European Countries has brought me out from my enforced hiatus to post my feelings about this:
Usually I’m the first person to defend “freedom of choice” and will stand up for a game/movie like GTA3/State of Emergency by saying “It’s a game, it allows you to do things for fun with no consequence”.
Except I’ve become aware of a game that has me genuinely concerned as to who would play it and why.
“Hooligans – Storm Over Europe”. A PC game about football hooligans.
Now it’s not cartoony, it’s very realistic and real-world like in appearance. The aim of the game? According to the website:
The object is to become the most notorious group of Hooligans in Europe. You must kill, maim and destroy the opposing Hooligan teams. You muster and control your faithful troops by administering drugs, alcohol and of course a good dose of violence every now and then. They must become true followers of your faction, for better or worse.
Not only good strategic skills are required but also a good political mindset and managing capabilities to keep your troops happy and violent.
Whoever is victorious and catches the publics attention in the media, will end up the most notorious Hooligans in Europe and the world! A title that every Hooligan with his heart in the right place loves to fight for!
You get bonus points for “attacking civilians to increase your wanted rating and bonuses for targeting minority groups”.
If you go to the website, you are greeted with a nice black and red image of a skinhead glaring out at you.
The forums are filled with racial hatred and “Firms” organising meetings and the most viscious racial abuse directed at other countries.
Some of the avatars you can choose are swastikas and other nazi symbols.
Game Ltd have refused to carry this game, and HMV and Virgin are coming under serious complaint from watchdog groups for stocking it.
It’s also not being released in Germany or America and Trading Standards are investigating the game to see if it contravenes the “Incitement to Racial Hatred” act passed since Sept 11th.
In Germany, it is illegal to have games displaying any symbolism of fascist iconography, and it is also illegal to use Nazi ideology as a basis for entertainment – rightly so but the UK has no such restrictions, we rely on public decency and morals.
Now I know this is just a game and all that, but what makes me unhappy is the reasoning behind the game. It’s one thing to play an undercover/ex cop trying to bring down a crime syndicate (GTA3), but it’s another thing entirely when the idea of a game is to commit racial murder and acts of hooliganism for the sole purpose of “Being the number 1 firm in Europe”.
And if I had any doubt about the intention or morality behind this game, then a visit to the forums for this game (I wont give out the URL as I object to Nazi propaganda) will indicate just where the game developer’s feelings lay. Several moderators have joined in the boasts about “the good old days” and making continued racial slurs and abuse towards people.
A game is a game, I understand that. And I’m not suggesting that by playing this game you will instantly become a nazi thug.
But seeing as we are in the 21st century, and especially since Sept 11th, I find it abhorrent that somebody still thinks it’s a good idea to bring out a game that rewards murder and racial hatred as if it were a noble thing.
If there was a game to be released called “Auschwitz Death Camp 2002: The Revenge” then there would be international outcry and, hopefully, condemnation from the world. But having investigated this game as best I can and as best as I can tolerate, I can see no difference between this game and tattooing a swastika on your head and “bashing p***s” as one poster proudly boasted.
The main game that caused contention last time was “GTA3”, but that had a strict moral guideline in it.
You could attack pedestrians if you wanted to, but you were working to bring down a criminal organisation. The wholesale slaughter was just there if you felt inclined to do so, and you would be arrested or shot after a few moments mayhem. You were working towards a goal that was pro-legal, you fought gangs etc to bring order and calm to Liberty City.
However, Hooligans exists solely to murder and cause violence for the sake of it.
You could say the same about State of Emergency, but they use the “Globol Corps” plot and you get penalised for attacking civilians, and if you look, all of your opponents are faceless white-people, there is no mission that involves attacking minority groups.
I’m not going to demand that Hooligans be banned, or that stores shouldn’t stock this game, I stand by personal choice and, unfortunately, that extends to allowing right-wing Nazis their say as well.
But I am extremely offended and unhappy about the notion that a game exists that promotes and actively encourages murderous, racist, thuggish behaviour for the sake of it.
The reward in commanding loyalty and devotions amongst your skinhead followers suggests that the feelings and emotions of the games developers involved in this game are not being ironic or making a comment about society.
This is bigoted, Nazi behaviour under the banner of “entertainment” and that is what I object to, not the game, but the ideology behind it.
Usually I’m the first person to defend “freedom of choice” and will stand up for a game/movie like GTA3/State of Emergency by saying “It’s a game, it allows you to do things for fun with no consequence”.
Except I’ve become aware of a game that has me genuinely concerned as to who would play it and why.
“Hooligans – Storm Over Europe”. A PC game about football hooligans.
Now it’s not cartoony, it’s very realistic and real-world like in appearance. The aim of the game? According to the website:
The object is to become the most notorious group of Hooligans in Europe. You must kill, maim and destroy the opposing Hooligan teams. You muster and control your faithful troops by administering drugs, alcohol and of course a good dose of violence every now and then. They must become true followers of your faction, for better or worse.
Not only good strategic skills are required but also a good political mindset and managing capabilities to keep your troops happy and violent.
Whoever is victorious and catches the publics attention in the media, will end up the most notorious Hooligans in Europe and the world! A title that every Hooligan with his heart in the right place loves to fight for!
You get bonus points for “attacking civilians to increase your wanted rating and bonuses for targeting minority groups”.
If you go to the website, you are greeted with a nice black and red image of a skinhead glaring out at you.
The forums are filled with racial hatred and “Firms” organising meetings and the most viscious racial abuse directed at other countries.
Some of the avatars you can choose are swastikas and other nazi symbols.
Game Ltd have refused to carry this game, and HMV and Virgin are coming under serious complaint from watchdog groups for stocking it.
It’s also not being released in Germany or America and Trading Standards are investigating the game to see if it contravenes the “Incitement to Racial Hatred” act passed since Sept 11th.
In Germany, it is illegal to have games displaying any symbolism of fascist iconography, and it is also illegal to use Nazi ideology as a basis for entertainment – rightly so but the UK has no such restrictions, we rely on public decency and morals.
Now I know this is just a game and all that, but what makes me unhappy is the reasoning behind the game. It’s one thing to play an undercover/ex cop trying to bring down a crime syndicate (GTA3), but it’s another thing entirely when the idea of a game is to commit racial murder and acts of hooliganism for the sole purpose of “Being the number 1 firm in Europe”.
And if I had any doubt about the intention or morality behind this game, then a visit to the forums for this game (I wont give out the URL as I object to Nazi propaganda) will indicate just where the game developer’s feelings lay. Several moderators have joined in the boasts about “the good old days” and making continued racial slurs and abuse towards people.
A game is a game, I understand that. And I’m not suggesting that by playing this game you will instantly become a nazi thug.
But seeing as we are in the 21st century, and especially since Sept 11th, I find it abhorrent that somebody still thinks it’s a good idea to bring out a game that rewards murder and racial hatred as if it were a noble thing.
If there was a game to be released called “Auschwitz Death Camp 2002: The Revenge” then there would be international outcry and, hopefully, condemnation from the world. But having investigated this game as best I can and as best as I can tolerate, I can see no difference between this game and tattooing a swastika on your head and “bashing p***s” as one poster proudly boasted.
The main game that caused contention last time was “GTA3”, but that had a strict moral guideline in it.
You could attack pedestrians if you wanted to, but you were working to bring down a criminal organisation. The wholesale slaughter was just there if you felt inclined to do so, and you would be arrested or shot after a few moments mayhem. You were working towards a goal that was pro-legal, you fought gangs etc to bring order and calm to Liberty City.
However, Hooligans exists solely to murder and cause violence for the sake of it.
You could say the same about State of Emergency, but they use the “Globol Corps” plot and you get penalised for attacking civilians, and if you look, all of your opponents are faceless white-people, there is no mission that involves attacking minority groups.
I’m not going to demand that Hooligans be banned, or that stores shouldn’t stock this game, I stand by personal choice and, unfortunately, that extends to allowing right-wing Nazis their say as well.
But I am extremely offended and unhappy about the notion that a game exists that promotes and actively encourages murderous, racist, thuggish behaviour for the sake of it.
The reward in commanding loyalty and devotions amongst your skinhead followers suggests that the feelings and emotions of the games developers involved in this game are not being ironic or making a comment about society.
This is bigoted, Nazi behaviour under the banner of “entertainment” and that is what I object to, not the game, but the ideology behind it.
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I'm not saying it is a good thing. I hate the Nazis. Yes, loads of people woould like to see world piece. But the thing is it wouldn't make a good game would it. So that why there are games like these.
Jimmy Duck wrote:
> thats rubbish. If us humans are in a group say the Nazis they will try and bring
> down the other groupd ie the jews. It's human nature. To defend what you believe
> in and as the Nazi's believed in killing the jews so strongly it happened. It
> the same with other groups the black panthers and the ku klux klan.
Your point? You saying that this is a good thing which should be encouraged with games.
Its not human nature at all. Its introduced by a twisted minority. Most would sooner see a total end to violence
> thats rubbish. If us humans are in a group say the Nazis they will try and bring
> down the other groupd ie the jews. It's human nature. To defend what you believe
> in and as the Nazi's believed in killing the jews so strongly it happened. It
> the same with other groups the black panthers and the ku klux klan.
Your point? You saying that this is a good thing which should be encouraged with games.
Its not human nature at all. Its introduced by a twisted minority. Most would sooner see a total end to violence
Jimmy Duck wrote:
> I hate this sort of subject, just say one thing wrong and you're a Nazi, racist,
> bigot etc.
---
What I object to is asinine comment from people that don't even bother to read the entire subject,or make a pointless 1 line reply to a subject discussing Nazi gaming with "sounds cool".
So it sounds cool to target minority races for murder from skinhead football hooligans does it?
And why is it ok to shoot Nazis but not be Nazis?
Something to do with WW2 possibly? Or is that just me?
Maybe,just maybe, the notion of playing as a member of one of the most odious groups of people is a tad distasteful?
A game with no other purpose than to attack other people and get bonuses for targetting ethnic groups, and you say "sounds cool" with no discussion as to the ethics or morality of such an idea.
Despite the fact that the website is neo-nazi writings, even from moderators using swastikas as avatars, it "sounds cool"
It's the total lack of thought or sensitivity towards this subject that marks you out as a clown.
I'm not saying you have to agree with me, I'm saying if you're going to disagree, then back up your comments with something other than yet more spam.
Use some thought, strain that knotted chord of matter bobbing in that water-filled head and try and form some sort of (partly) intelligent response to a topic instead of mashing the keys with your face.
Jesus Christ, you have no idea how much restraint I am using here to express my total disgust at the level of a whole bunch of posters here.
Think before you reply.
Think "Maybe I'll look stupid if I hit submit" and don't.
> I hate this sort of subject, just say one thing wrong and you're a Nazi, racist,
> bigot etc.
---
What I object to is asinine comment from people that don't even bother to read the entire subject,or make a pointless 1 line reply to a subject discussing Nazi gaming with "sounds cool".
So it sounds cool to target minority races for murder from skinhead football hooligans does it?
And why is it ok to shoot Nazis but not be Nazis?
Something to do with WW2 possibly? Or is that just me?
Maybe,just maybe, the notion of playing as a member of one of the most odious groups of people is a tad distasteful?
A game with no other purpose than to attack other people and get bonuses for targetting ethnic groups, and you say "sounds cool" with no discussion as to the ethics or morality of such an idea.
Despite the fact that the website is neo-nazi writings, even from moderators using swastikas as avatars, it "sounds cool"
It's the total lack of thought or sensitivity towards this subject that marks you out as a clown.
I'm not saying you have to agree with me, I'm saying if you're going to disagree, then back up your comments with something other than yet more spam.
Use some thought, strain that knotted chord of matter bobbing in that water-filled head and try and form some sort of (partly) intelligent response to a topic instead of mashing the keys with your face.
Jesus Christ, you have no idea how much restraint I am using here to express my total disgust at the level of a whole bunch of posters here.
Think before you reply.
Think "Maybe I'll look stupid if I hit submit" and don't.
our eyes, sorry.
Jimmy Duck wrote:
> thats rubbish. If us humans are in a group say the Nazis they will try and bring
> down the other groupd ie the jews. It's human nature. To defend what you believe
> in and as the Nazi's believed in killing the jews so strongly it happened. It
> the same with other groups the black panthers and the ku klux klan.
But that's not right. We should be willing to listen to the views of others, we don't have to agree with them, but we shouldn't be eliminating all that don't see the world through out eyes.
> thats rubbish. If us humans are in a group say the Nazis they will try and bring
> down the other groupd ie the jews. It's human nature. To defend what you believe
> in and as the Nazi's believed in killing the jews so strongly it happened. It
> the same with other groups the black panthers and the ku klux klan.
But that's not right. We should be willing to listen to the views of others, we don't have to agree with them, but we shouldn't be eliminating all that don't see the world through out eyes.
Good to see you back butno doubt some people will make your stay here short.
I agree with what you are saying, games are supposed to be fun and encouraging ideas like this aren't fun. Especially with the world cup comming up.
Made me think though, could footy thugs who enjoy this kind of thing in real life blame the game if they are caught and punished? Maybe getting a lesser punishment because of this? I may be reading to much into it but is it a possibility?
I agree with what you are saying, games are supposed to be fun and encouraging ideas like this aren't fun. Especially with the world cup comming up.
Made me think though, could footy thugs who enjoy this kind of thing in real life blame the game if they are caught and punished? Maybe getting a lesser punishment because of this? I may be reading to much into it but is it a possibility?
thats rubbish. If us humans are in a group say the Nazis they will try and bring down the other groupd ie the jews. It's human nature. To defend what you believe in and as the Nazi's believed in killing the jews so strongly it happened. It the same with other groups the black panthers and the ku klux klan.
It's the racial part that's the problem really, isn't it?
If you and your mixed race possé beat the crap out of another mixed race possé, it wouldn't be a problem, but the fact is that the game encourages you to target specific groups - and that's what I see as unacceptable about this.
It's not just a beat em-up game, it is encouraging racial hatred by having you as a white skin head guy targetting all that are different.
By reading what you've written about the forums for the game it's clear to see who it's aimed at, and the message it's trying to get across.
As Goatboy says it won't turn anyone into a racist thug, but it's something that brings such people together. Something they can all laugh about. Damn freaks.
If you and your mixed race possé beat the crap out of another mixed race possé, it wouldn't be a problem, but the fact is that the game encourages you to target specific groups - and that's what I see as unacceptable about this.
It's not just a beat em-up game, it is encouraging racial hatred by having you as a white skin head guy targetting all that are different.
By reading what you've written about the forums for the game it's clear to see who it's aimed at, and the message it's trying to get across.
As Goatboy says it won't turn anyone into a racist thug, but it's something that brings such people together. Something they can all laugh about. Damn freaks.
Just think about what the nazi's did in WW2 and then think about what you are escaping into.
If I gave you a game where you had to hijack planes, stab stewardesses and crash into famous buildings, would you play it?
Time having passed should not be an issue
If I gave you a game where you had to hijack planes, stab stewardesses and crash into famous buildings, would you play it?
Time having passed should not be an issue
I hate this sort of subject, just say one thing wrong and you're a Nazi, racist, bigot etc.
The thing is people don't mind shooting Nazis but when it come to being bnazi in games they can't understand why. I my self use the console games purely for escapism and i'm sure many others do, so if some people want to pretend to be nazis then let them. It doesn't effect you does it?
The thing is people don't mind shooting Nazis but when it come to being bnazi in games they can't understand why. I my self use the console games purely for escapism and i'm sure many others do, so if some people want to pretend to be nazis then let them. It doesn't effect you does it?
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