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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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There has been little coverage because papers refuse to give hype to this odious title.
Games sites refuse to carry reviews or info on it and several European countries have banned it.
Germany being the 1st to protest, as it has had 1st hand experience of the dangers of allowing this sort of material to reach the public.
Games sites refuse to carry reviews or info on it and several European countries have banned it.
Germany being the 1st to protest, as it has had 1st hand experience of the dangers of allowing this sort of material to reach the public.
When it doesn't sell well (as we all know it wont shift many copies because it's probably naff) then maybe the developers will see the errors of their ways and decide to make more games in better teaste??
I haven't actually seen much about it on tv or newspapers yet, I wonder what sort of uproar there'll be then.
I haven't actually seen much about it on tv or newspapers yet, I wonder what sort of uproar there'll be then.
If this game didn't cause an uproar then I'd despair of this country. How would we feel if a pop song with overtly racist lyrics went in to the top ten? Or if a film that glorified killing minorities headlined the local multiplex? Or if Mein Kampf was as widely read as Harry Potter? I hope to hell that people would start protesting about it. Games shouldn't be any different: they aren't hermetically sealed off from the world. Like any other medium they can be turned into propaganda. And that is what this game is, dirty nazi propaganda masquerading as 'ironic', 'post-modern' entertainment.
I see your view but the way I look at it is that if no-one speaks against it, people will start thinking its alright.
It would be very easy to think 'well theres not much of an uproar, maybe its not so bad'. Wrong. This is gross in every way and needs to be spoken against.
The only people who read these comments and decide for themselves that they want to buy it are evidently morons with an IQ the same as their nob size. As Goaty said, there should be no middle ground.
It would be very easy to think 'well theres not much of an uproar, maybe its not so bad'. Wrong. This is gross in every way and needs to be spoken against.
The only people who read these comments and decide for themselves that they want to buy it are evidently morons with an IQ the same as their nob size. As Goaty said, there should be no middle ground.
Hooligans is only a game, very very poor taste i know, and i wont buy it because it's probably a c**p game and i hate every aspect of hooliganism and thug culture.
But to cause all this uproar is just playing into the hands of the developers and publishers who rely on this sort of controversy to make their game achieve cult status.
This is just another controversial game following on from games like Postal, Thrill Kill, etc.
Don't read too much into the game content and get angry about it or you'll end up getting caught hook, line and sinker by publicity hungry people.
But to cause all this uproar is just playing into the hands of the developers and publishers who rely on this sort of controversy to make their game achieve cult status.
This is just another controversial game following on from games like Postal, Thrill Kill, etc.
Don't read too much into the game content and get angry about it or you'll end up getting caught hook, line and sinker by publicity hungry people.
Totoro wrote:
>but it's probably also a bad game so i wont buy it,
So you would buy it if it was 'good'?
>but it's probably also a bad game so i wont buy it,
So you would buy it if it was 'good'?
It's not "only a game"
Read through the comments and thoughts here before you add your 2p please.
Read through the comments and thoughts here before you add your 2p please.
It's only a game for Christs sake.
I know it's poor taste in game ideas, but it's probably also a bad game so i wont buy it, simple as that.
If you don't like it then don't buy it.
I know it's poor taste in game ideas, but it's probably also a bad game so i wont buy it, simple as that.
If you don't like it then don't buy it.
Actually, I've changed my mind. Anyone who wants to pretend to be a fascist thug by playing this game, and who whines that they're old enough to make up they're own mind, should have to go into a Chelsea Headhunters' pub and ask a skinhead for it personally. Then they'll be well equipped to decide if this is the sort of person they want to emulate.
unknown kernel wrote:
And to people who say they're old enough to make up their own minds, fine.
> You can buy it if you want. But not on the high-street. You can buy it off a
> skinhead standing in the gutter where this filth belongs.
The cowards will but it off internet sites, like this one, unless SR don't sell it. Even so some sites will sell it, and the reputation of the net will take another kicking.
And to people who say they're old enough to make up their own minds, fine.
> You can buy it if you want. But not on the high-street. You can buy it off a
> skinhead standing in the gutter where this filth belongs.
The cowards will but it off internet sites, like this one, unless SR don't sell it. Even so some sites will sell it, and the reputation of the net will take another kicking.
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