Comments on: Super Slamdance Massacre

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 15:17:36 +0000

The Slamdance Guerilla Gamemaker "Competition" went forward—though the space was half empty and no awards were given.

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 22:05:03 +0000

Thanks for the comment, Greg. I’m impressed you chose to host the game.

Also: More finalists drop out, more links to critical commentary…

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/09/super-columbine-supporters-shun-slamdance/

http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/editorial/developers-protest-slamdance-game-festival-227145.php

By: Jason

Jason — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 17:20:30 +0000

Game Politics reports that one of the other finalists—Braid creator Jonathan Blow—has dropped out of the competition in protest. Blow's statement reminds me that I should confess that I haven't been able to play Super Columbine Massacre RPG! (don't have a PC). I can't personally vouch for how successful it is in achieving its creator's stated artistic vision (which the finalist who just withdrew calls "disingenuous," but apparently still worthy of some support).

I hate to sound like one of those ridiculous video game critics who condemns a game based on what they've heard about it (only taking the other position), but I will claim to know enough about visual communication to say that this is not a game designed to give cheap, murderous thrills. I guess it doesn't much matter what I think about the game's message, though. You can't build a public identity on subversiveness and resistance to the established order if you shy away from controversy, period.

By: costik

costik — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 03:04:40 +0000

I’ve posted a (long) piece on why I think the game has merit here:

http://www.manifestogames.com/node/3048

And those who want to download the game and form their opinions at first-hand can find it here:

http://www.manifestogames.com/node/3040