V-Tech Rampage Creator Demands Payment to Remove Game

V-Tech Rampage Creator Demands Payment to Remove Game

May 15, 2007
In the history of video games, perhaps in the history of the Internet, this is something never seen before: an audience held hostage.

Ryan Lambourn, the Australian man who created the highly offensive V-Tech Rampage, has posted a message on his GooGumProduce website demanding payment to take the game offline:
ATTENTION ANGRY PEOPLE:

I will take this game down from newgrounds if the donation amount reaches $1000 US, i’ll take it down from here if it reaches $2000 US, and i will apologize if it reaches $3000 US.

Newgrounds, of course, could take the game offline without regard to Lambourn's wishes. It remains to be seen whether the site will do so.

It's unclear whether Lambourn's Dr. Evil-style demand is for real or just part of an elaborate prank. Either way, the clock is now running on Ryan Lambourn's 15 minutes of fame.

UPDATE: We're running a GP poll (see sidebar) on the V-Tech game situation. Be sure to vote!

UPDATE 2: Lambourn writes on his website that the money demand was a joke:
...the donation thing is there as a joke against all the people commanding me to take my game down. I didnt think anyone would donate money to it and so far my paypal account has proven me right...

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Comments

Truly evil? I think that's a little extreme. I doubt that the guy who made this game is any less sane or compassionate than most people his age. He undoubtedly has a sick sense of humour, like me, and my guess is he made it to show his mates and have a laugh. Now a lot of people can't see how a tragedy like this could in any way be considered a joke and therefore are absolutely appalled. However the humour lies not in the subject matter but rather in the fact that it is in such bad taste. It's very similar to the cringe humour used by that of Ricky Gervais in "The Office" and "Extras".

Sick humour also requires a level of detachment that not everyone has. For people who feel things deeply or people who were involved it is highly offensive and upsetting. Newgrounds.com is therefore the perfect place for it, the site having it's roots in bad taste flash content. When it gained notoriety is when it became a problem. What possible reason apart from ratings and clicks could the media have had for giving it as much attention at it has received? Is it in the public interest? No; is it particularly interesting? No; is it the sought of thing that would offend people? Yes. When push comes to shove the media are the ones making money from this game. The only reason the games creator said he's take it down for $2000 and apologise for $3000 is to say "F@$k you" to the torrent of ridiculous death threats and hate mail he received(and probably sniggered at). And as for refusing to be interviewed on TV unless he got paid. Why would you expose yourself to the danger of appearing on national television as the bad guy of the hour for free?

Sure, the game is offensive and I'm not saying that its creator is the victim but he probably isn't the insane, twisted, evil, pathetic, freak that people seem so certain he is.
"I don’t give a flying f*** about him or his free speech. Two of MY friends were killed in Norris, and because their lives actually meant something to me, I don’t think this game is just “in poor taste,” I think it’s disgusting."

Not to defend the VT shooter, but he didn't give a "flying fuck" about the people that taunted him growing up, or picked on him..etc....Didn't care about their "free speech", or "freedom of choice"....and he thought they were disgusting people too.

Know what might have stopped all of this in the beginning? If he we all learned to just IGNORE shit that drives us mad.

I was TORTURED all growing up.....but I like to think I survived it, and I learned to ignore it and I'm leading a great life.

Those same feelings you're spewing that you don't care about someone else or their freedoms is EXACTLY what got us in this situation in the first place....

So for all of you up in arms...learn what "peace" is really all about.
this dude needs some serious help. he thinks what he did was a joke. I don't understand people like him. this is truly evil
I don't give a flying f*** about him or his free speech. Two of MY friends were killed in Norris, and because their lives actually meant something to me, I don't think this game is just "in poor taste," I think it's disgusting.
Sorry, but this guy does have the right to spew his crap. That said, the hosting company doesn't necessarily have to enable him to spread it. Its like that freak Fred Phelps that runs around to military funerals with his brood of 18 kids (all lawyers) screaming that God kills US troops because we don't suppress homosexuals (I believe he uses a more base means of saying it, if you want to hear it, feel free to Google it).

Unpopular speach has to be protected, however, it also preserves your right not to hear it, or to counter it.
Oh and by the way,
I'm tired of people making a fool of themselves and putting themselves out of the line to think of retarded ways to get this man in jail? WHAT? Nonconsent of what being killed portrayed in a video... what?! You really can't get more ignorant than that. How about you funnel your anger into more productive causes than looking like a complete idiot. This man is not breaking any rules. And what, freedom of speech should be taken away?

WOW. You guys are almost as idiotic as this guy.
I think this game is interesting. It gives a different perspective of the shootings. Everyone expects everybody to be totally sympathetic and totally wishy washy against this. Guess what, I guess some people aren't. I really don't appreciate the fact that you can go and play Grand Theft Auto and call this game a disgrace to society.

Personally,

I didn't like the V-Tech Massacre. I don't think anyone of you can disagree on that. I didn't like the fact he was South Korean (like myself) and how I turned the South Korean news and found an extra segment just because he was South Korean. I mean I believe in the power of the individual, I mean just because he went and shot and killed people doesn't mean that we should watch out for South Koreans. Also, just because Iraqis bombed the World Trade Center doesn't mean that Iraqis should be watched out for...
JJ: The Starvin' Marvin' episode wasn't a current event (it was, but it was just an event that wasn't really hugely significant and sensetive), and it didn't really mock them. However, this game is just a discrace towards those who were killed, injured, and those who knew anyone in the first two groups personally.
yeah, esta bueno el juego este, solo demuestra la realidad de USA, mucha violencia en ese pais.
I am an instructor and a student at Virginia Tech. Without a doubt, the past few weeks has given me a life's worth of experience and emotions, and much to ponder.
In the days and weeks following the tragedy here at Virginia Tech, we experienced a wonderful outpouring of emotions from around the world. It's almost as if time stood still while everyone offered their open arms to those of us in need. It was a wonderfully comforting time. It's such a shame that it had to end.
I completely agree with many of the posts here that the freedom of expression, of thought, and of intellect must certainly be preserved. I only question the perverted minds creating such entertainment venues, and the totally sick people supporting this effort.
If you don't like the game, don't play it. If you don't like the movie, don't go to see it; and if you don't like the book, don't read it. If it's not played, it won't be sold. If people don't go to violent movies, they won't be made. It's that simple.
I guess I long for a day when the purpose of free speech is to express opinions, not taunt emotions. When reaching out to comfort those in need would last longer than a week.
There is suffering around the world. Couldn't we all focus a little more effort on ending this suffering, and and a little less time on these perverted thoughts.
haha good on 'em. like his article says "You don't get heard unless you do something outrageous" Good on 'em. I like how everyone wants the game down but no one's willing to change the gun laws "They'll kill no matter what" Not true, If I had access to a gun when I was an angsty teen I'd probably have gone psycho on some jocks ass too, but since I didn't have access to a gun it remained a /thought/ because there was no physical means. I'd donate money to this dude in a heartbeat and tell him not to take the game down.
VTstudent, no I think you spoke very well. I've had personal tragedies myself, and like you, I do find it difficult to watch those kinds of movies these days.

That said, I still support this guy, horror movies, and violent games, etc. We, by our nature, are a very violent species, and I believe that a valuable and cathartic outlet is poking fun at ourselves, no matter how horrible the subject matter. Doesn't mean that it feels nice when we're the ones who are the subject matter, but it doesn't mean that we should try to stop it either.

If we personally don't like it, we don't have to pay attention to it.

However, since we have one of you from VT on the site, I'm sorry you had to go through what you went through. It truly sucks.
@ Monkeychow

You say you'd be honored if someone made a game where your family and friends were killed? Shot multiple times and left to die for no good reason? How about if they actually were killed in that same manner less than a month ago? Would you still be honored and laugh? I honestly doubt it. Poking fun at a memory? For those of us involved its not just a memory, its still a fresh wound that won't heal for some time. Those are the types of issues you need to think about before making posts that say as much.

You say it doesn't hurt those involved... How about the fact that theres a girl named emile in his game? ok, so he miss-spelt the name but the intent is still there. How do you think her family and friends feel about that? I doubt they're laughing and feeling honored.

I do however understand what you're saying about our obsession with violence in general and our desensitization to violence in media. I myself was a big fan of the Saw trilogy, and enjoyed watching movies such as Hostel, The hills have eyes, and movies of that sort. But since April 16th I haven't been able to bring myself to watch such movies anymore... They have lost the appeal they once had and actually going through what happened at VT makes me wonder why I liked those movies in the first place. I don't think human suffering should be such a large source of entertainment and I now understand why my parents, older friends, and earlier generations in general don't watch those types of movies as much as younger generations... Most have been through tragedies themselves, felt the loss of family and friends, and just don't find entertainment in watching someone else go through it. I hope this is something most do not have to go through or at least not on as large or painful a scale as VT, Columbine, 9/11; But I believe if you do experience such a tremendous loss, a loss so close to you, you get a better understanding of what you actually consider entertainment.

(Pardon the length of my last paragraph as it is the first time I've actually delved into this aspect of the tragedy and its aftereffects on me personally)
Maybe too many people playing the game used up his monthly bandwidth? If so, that's a shame. I don't think people should even give this game the time of day, even out of curiosity.

Maybe his server provider has shut down his page? I don't know.

But I do hope its down for good.

Saying it was free speech is the lamest excuse for assholism that I've yet heard.

Good riddance to bad rubbish!
I just played it and it's sucks. It will be a non-issue in a very short time.
@ RandomHero

No one thought of creating a VT game? Wrong. I'm sure many did prior to this. I'd bet most who considered it opted not to.

And... you think it's funny to mock people for mourning lost loved ones?

Also, "most people" aren't saying the game should be taken off Newgrounds or wherever else it's hosted now. Most people are in support of free speech, despite how repulsive it is in this case.
C'mon this guy did a great job, he's absolutely right about demanding a ransom. Alltough, i would have demanded a million at least. There's too many people on this planet anyway.
I'm Laughing at this story, because a smartass has done something no one thought of yet create a game disgracing the mouring of people and to make it worse he wants money. but i agree with most it should be taking down because of the problems it is causing still he is a smartass for wanting money and getting fame for that
I respect this guy sooo much
I totally and utterly concur with what Monkeychow says. Do I think this guy's an asshole, a little bit. Do I think what he did was wrong? No. We live in a society that contradicts itself constantly, we deem this bad, and then go ahead and watch extremely-violent movies and games like scarface and GTA. Whats the difference? If it hits so close to home, don't pay attention to it. You people make a big deal out of everything and it sickens me. People starve everyday in poor countries, and people get shot in ghetto everyday, but no one seems to care or feel sorry for them...this is just all a load of crap~
@ILiveatVATECH : In no way does this say what you went through was not hard. In no way does the game state that it was not a horrible act. HAve you had to explain to your son yet about World War 2? Have you had to explain that ANY war game he plays was actually real at one time? People died. You can honestly look at this from either side. Anyone that can relate to ANY material is going to have a problem with it. Watching United 97 APPAULED part of my family, because I had family die in the WTC bombing. Why did they decide to make a movie and make money off the tragedy? Regardless of it is done in a tactful way or not, there will always be someone who won't like something. But for the people getting up in arms about this, there is PLENTY of other things in the world they should be up in arms about too..but I'm sure they're not. I'm sure they'll let their kids watch the same things, or play the same video games that basically mean the same thing.

It reminds me of the religious groups that picketed the Matrix movie when it came out. "OH MY GOD THE VIOLENCE!!!" "I WOULD NEVER LET MY KIDS WATCH THIS"..................then they went to see Passion of Christ...because they had to see how Jesus had it. If you have seen the movie, you will understand my irony.

I have seen material on the holocaust making fun of it, and I have laughed.....why? because I can separate the actual event from the media/fiction created about it. Same reason I could goto a horror movie and watch someone slaughtered, and it does not phase me....but to see someone hurt in real life...is a VERY horrible event. I relate it to a car crash I witnessed recently that shook me up. I can watch car crashes on TV and it does not phase me a bit. But when I saw an SUV flipping multiple times in front of me, that is a completely different story. THAT is reality...not fiction based around it.

To you, I have all the respect and prayers to you for going through what you did....it honestly was a horrible thing to happen. But if you can't ignore media and have to get over sensitive about it...then shame on you....you should be stronger than that.
[...] « Who dares to say that blogs do not have an impact on political campaigning? V-Tech Tragedy as a Flash Game May 16th, 2007 Sooner or later it was going to happen. Unfortunately it happened sooner. A flashgame about the V-Tech rampage was uploaded on Newgrounds. As GamePolitics points out, the game is rendered in a documentary style, similar to that of the highly controversial Super Columbine Massacre RPG. There’s one difference though: As controversial Super Columbine Massacre RPG might have been, its creator at least tried to make a thoughtful attempt and had the decency to wait six years with the release – and he didn’t give in to the increasing industrialization of all art but tried to convey his viewpoint. It was dangerous in a thought provoking way. I can comprehend where the (often ill-informed) critics are coming from: Games inherent the trivialisation of human life since the survival of one’s avatar depends on the player’s ability (that’s why there never was – and hopefully never will be – a game about Anne Frank) and due to their save function they won’t let the player feel all the consequences of their action. That said: A mature medium should be allowed to make comments on serious issues (it should not only be allowed to but see this as a pressing duty). But not only is the game industry notoriously insecure about itself, perpetuating the same juvenile concepts again and again, but there is also the sensationalist mainstream media, which can’t tell independently developed games and industry-produced software apart (yet to speak of politicians who use them as an excuse for strikter legislation) – with often unfavorable consequences for the industry. Still: Should this stop people from trying to critically comment serious events through the medium of a digital game? It would be giving up before trying and giving in to the political economy of the contemporary mainstream mediasphere. The V-Tech game though is just plain, idiotic provocation. It’s evacuated of any thought, any reflection, any common sense. A fact that is underlined by the fact that its creator started to hold the public hostage and offered to take it offline if people pay him $1000 US – an apology can be expected for $3000 US. As Kotaku put it: “Free speech and free expression are great. Just make sure you’ve got something to say.” [...]
How can this be ignored! With all the media? Tell this to my 8 year old who plays video games & his friend at school told him about this. I am still trying to find words to explain this tragedy to him that happened at Mommy's work! I am so ashamed of the fighting and some of the people's remarks on here! Cowards who are going to sit there and write how funny this all is. I really thought after this tragedy-how people really stepped up and really helped-and I had been so thankful-till this! Now I now know how people really are-VULTURES!
I can not believe what I am seeing & hearing. We cant even start healing-and now this? When is it going to end!? All this support for this $%^*@ who made this $&*^%! Free speach or not! I ask only this-take all of your exra time and energy & support us-not disgrace us! Even donate to a charity or volunteer somewhere!
You know what I think is funny? Everyone is so pissed that he's trying to profit off of a tragedy in a "tasteless" way............So are you saying that if he profited off of it in a "tasteful" way, it would be ok? I think it would still have gotten flack.

For that matter, I honestly believe most of you bashing this are complete utter hyprocrits. If you bash this....then bash moves like United 97....bash "World Trade Center"....bash the movie "Pearl Harbor" *more than it is already bashed for bad acting*.....Heck I could go on an on about profiting off of a tragedy. But OHHH NO....those were tasteful...those were wonderful movies...showing how the tradegy was in a "heroic" way.........Just more words to say "I am a hypocrite".

I found this hilarious honestly. Was the V-Tech shootings horrible? Absolutely. Can I separate reality from a videogame? Yes I can. Were you to make a game about me, or my family, and make us look stupid or die....I would laugh..and be honored...know why? It's media..it's entertainment..it's fiction. We have WAY too many sensitive people in this day and age. He is poking fun at a memory....a historical event....he's not actually HURTING the people who were involved.

I heard a funny quote on XM Comedy today on my commute to work that I believe relates to this. When Janet Jackson showed her tit on TV....the entire world freaked out...........but change the channel to any of the other 20 main channels *abc, nbc, fox..etc*....and you will see someone shot right in the head, and more violence than you can count your finger at that doesn't get near the amount of attention. Personally? I'd rather my kid look at a titty. Just goes to show how damn sensitive and hypocritial people are today.
[...] Virginia Tech Simulation Sparks Controversy [...]
Insults, death threats, violent intentions...this is not how people should respond to violent and offensive content like this. The guy who created this game desired to get a rise out of people, and he is probably masturbating to these responses and feeling a lot better about himself because he managed to piss so many people off.

Congratulations, you immortalized a lame and rather dumb game. Next time, try to ignore it and get on with your lives.
i can't get over some off these reponses.. saying that u want to "kill" him and stuff like that.. sounds like a typical american response.. "do as i say or i'll kill you" what a joke..
@anonymous
rules 1 and 2 pal
Idiots. This guy couldn't give a shit about free speech, his only intention is to piss people off, and offend people who were just involved in a school massacre. Like I said, if some Nazi skinhead had made a game where you have to kill as many Jews as you can, you'd all be talking about how he's an "anti-semitic asshole".
This guy srsly need to gb2/b/
As sad as it is to see something like this coming out of gaming, I have to admit he had the right to make it. In the future I hope aspiring game designers will take a step back and choose to be a little more respectful to the families and people involved in incidences which they wish to recreate or documentize within a game. This particular game is obviously done in poor taste, while games like Water for Darfur and SCMRPG are made with more of a message.
So many valid points here. Freedom of speech. As offensive as that may be, here in Aus we don't have it. Cherish that right America. Me, there is some Muslim extremist s*** I would gladly see burnt, but I have not grown up with a protected freedom of speech.

I also remember seeing on stickdeath the prisoners at Guantanemo Bay and them getting shot etc. I know the VTech slaughter is a grave trgedy, but here in Aus we don't have the right to bear arms either. Seems like you have to take the good with the bad.


This type of pressure will hopefully see my fellow Sydneysider reflect a bit, and maybe donate any monies to an appropriate charity, although I doubt he will get anything.

The comment about the Iraq war and Darfour seems poignant.
So many valid points here. Freedom of speech. As offensive as that may be, here in Aus we don't have it. Cherish that right America. Me, there is some Muslim extremist s*** I would gladly see burnt, but I have not grown up with a protected freedom of speech.

I also remember seeing on stickdeath the prisoners at Guantanemo Bay and them getting shot etc. I know the VTech slaughter is a grave trgedy, but here in Aus we don't have the right to bear arms either. Seems like you have to take the good with the bad.

This type of pressure will hopefully see my fellow Sydneysider reflect a bit, and maybe donate any monies to an appropriate charity, although I doubt he will get anything.
Ugh, just jackassery for jackassery's sake.
Most Aussies hold yankers to be wankers.
Looks like they are right.
Let the morons self-destruct!!
He lives in St. Clair. That explains everything - Scumbag.
yikes...with all the wanna be B/s here you think they know sarcasm when they see it.....the donation thing is cute...prehaps it takes a real arse to understand another...
Typical kid who got dropped in the head while growing up, and hasn't been hugged enough by his parents. Shame on this piece of lowlife microbe scum - may you burn in hell forever and ever.
Actually the fund raiser thing is not a bad idea and to get ride of the game critics you donate the money to the family of the victims. Although can say that the game is a little taste less. But some less offense would do. But the idea for fund raising is still a good one.
Gamepolitics are a bunch of kneejerks that want to get rid of flash games so they won't ban video games, fuck you.
lol no one wants to get rid of flash games.....jebus
Basically we think he was being an edgy attention whore who suddenly said, "ZOMG! I can make money off of this LOL!"

Joking or not, alot of people look down on asking people to pay for an apology.
oh and I forgot to add, this leaves a foul taste, and is pathetic, if he really cared about his game he wouldn't offer this bounty, his game is not worth $1000 anyway.
Some of the responses here kinda make me ashamed to be a gamer. I do agree though that we need to talk louder and longer, make sure that its understood that there are alot of us that are offended by stunts like this.

I also agree with Xlorp that it does seem that there are a couple responders that seemingly want their IPs banned.
i have nothing against him. why well i think its because i could care less about his game i know its about the tragidy but if people want to pay him because they are offended i will sit on the fence and laugh at them. sure the v tec shooting is not funny but people willing to shell out cash to remove something they sought out and got offended by that is laughable. let him collect there cash, and watch as he go's laughing to the bank after removing it, then watch as he pumps out a new ver or something close to that rinse and repeat.
You gotta hand it to the guy. People complain about this game and he says "OK I'll give you a chance to take it down, so either pay up or shut up". He'll either walk away from this richer or expose how much the anti-gamers actually care about the children if they are so irked over this.

I think it's a safe bet to say if Super coulmbine tried the same thing the game would be off the web by now.
These comments are spamtastic. I sent a email to the creator to do a interview and he called me a leech. What irony!
I guess it's a good thing this site is no longer Livejournal based, eh? Otherwise, there'd be some pretty .....curious images being posted.
wasn't there a website called "Forsake the Troops" that ransomed out whatever controversial message they were sending for the tune of 15 grand or something? Really vague in my head but I remember something like that. I think they actually got paid the money so they'd take down the site.
Sure, this young man has all the right in the world to make this particular game. But does it mean that he should? Most definitely not. If we all did things only because we could, and with no consideration for what is good and useful, there would be no point in doing anything. Our entire existence would be utterly meaningless.

Detractors have every right to say that this game should not be made. Pushing them to the side and saying simply, "Don't play it if you don't like it," is ignoring the plain and simple fact that this is a moral issue and not simply a matter of preference. If the complaints brought against the game were a matter of gameplay mechanics, genre, or art style, the "ignore it if you don't like it" argument would hold water. However, since opponents find the subject matter and presentation of the game to be morally reprehensible, they feel compelled and are in fact obligated to bring up their objections.

This can be applied to anything. For example, saying, "Well, if you don't like savery, don't own slaves," would be absurd. If someone believes that something is morally wrong, they have an obligation, which should be recognized by all other individuals, to voice their opinion in a reasoned, well-thought manner. This is how we get to have progress in the first place. When people simply pursue whatever shallow impulses they have, and when they keep all their values strictly to themselves, what results is a stagnation that builds into resentment and decay.

Also, cocks.
I was there when it happened and all I have to say is that I FUCKING LOVE THIS GAME!
Jabr, can anyone delete those ridiculous long spams? It's tought to scroll to actual content. Maybe GP can? Anyone?
not a good guy, 2000usd, oh my god
So yeah, I don't praise him. He's just trying to piss people off, people who either were seriously wounded or know someone who was wounded/killed in this event. I'm sure everyone would be praising someone if they made a "kill the Jews in the gas chamber" video game.
@logic

Believe me we when I say we all know not to ban something just because it is offensive. Most of the comments are either knee-jerk or made out of digust over his monetary offer (since no one guessed that he was joking). You also must understand that a lot of people think pigpen made this to offend not to offer light on the tradgedies or anything remotely noble but rather as a grasp for attention (I have not played the game so I can't offer you my opinions on this part). I have seen much worse stuff on newgrounds as well (in fact just go to the bastard collection and you'll see what I mean).
Right on! I praise him for exercising his free will, even if it is devious or not.
This happened way back at the beginning of the day, but I agreed with you construct. You misread what I wrote. I think he believes to speak however he feels free. This "ransom" is just an antagonizism of people who disagree with him.
This guy isn't making a dime of his game on newgrounds. He is only asking people to pay if they want him to take it down. He isn't making people pay him to play th game, an no one is obligated to pay him a cent. He is only asking for money to take it down as a joke and as a way to tell the people complaining to put their money where their mouth is, and so far no one has stepped up to the plate. While this game is in poor taste, deplorable, offensive, etc, there is no reason for it to be taken down. Just because something offends someone doesn't mean there are grounds for it to be censored, removed, etc. He should have the right to artistic expression just as comics, musicians, artists, etc do. Anyone calling for this game to be taken down is being totally un-American. Newgrounds.com has always tried to give people as much artistic freedom as possible. They do have guidelines, but I don't believe this entry violates any of them. Also to beat this game you have to follow the historical chain of events that have been played out heavily in the media. If anything this is a history test to see how much we absorbed from the media's over reporting of the event. I don't see it being any worse than playing a WWII game and shooting Germans, or playing GTA and running over old ladies, etc.

People need to get a grip and stop calling for content that offends them to be removed. There isn't a law that says you have the right to no be offended. If something offends you, ignore it and go elsewhere. Change the channel, go to another game, etc.
i am all about the right to free expression, however the video game industry is always under the microscope. the creator has every right to create the game however it was selfish to profit off a tragedy and piggy back off of it to gain his own notoriety. As gamers we need to maintain a positive image of our community and creating tasteless games dosent help our medium to become a mainstream form of entertainment it sets it back.
Bad joke, man, bad joke.
What an ill-conceived and distasteful prank...
"HEY MORONS, HE DID THAT AS A JOKE TO PROVE A POINT

THE HARD PRESS NEEDS SOME MEDICINE AND NONE OF YOU CLOSED MINDED FOOLS ARE GETTING ANY"

-Insults are not a valid form of debate

-He wouldn't be interviewed on TV unless the station paid him. I think that prtty much shows his motivations.
All I can say is ur a loser and all the losers who support this game,are losers. Get girfriends!!! I am for free speech but there is a line in society and it was crossed with this game. The basis of it is human pain and agony. Just imagine for one minute that u were a student in that school or it was someone u knew, im sure u would have pissed urself 5 times over. Ur a dick mate,get laid!
I'd like to kill his ass 4 a joke also. This is making light of and promoting a tragic and senseless terrorist act on an innocent college. Now let me express my freedom of speech by saying "Give me 15 minutes with this walking third world bacteria and he'll need that money 4 medical bills and maybe his own funeral if I could get away with it."
HEY MORONS, HE DID THAT AS A JOKE TO PROVE A POINT


THE HARD PRESS NEEDS SOME MEDICINE AND NONE OF YOU CLOSED MINDED FOOLS ARE GETTING ANY
@Michael

"Help, help, [we're] being oppressed!"
Sadly this is going to be used as an example as to why the industry is evil.
Ryan Lambourn definitely has some issues he needs to deal with. Pathetic!
So, like Thompson, he's in it for the money.......
That's a goddamn disgrace. It's bad enough he made a bad, deliberately controversial game, but to try and profit off the controversy?

I hope he doesn't get a cent.
"I hope he doesn’t get a cent."

I hope he winds up in prison for extortion or blackmail.
When it becomes outlawed to write, say or create something, anything - offensive or not - then only outlaws will remain expressing themselves freely.

It's bad taste but it ought to be free.
Thing is, he's charging for it, so it's not even 'Free' speech any more, by charging for it, he's making it a commercial product, don't think politicians won't try to play on that.
Sorry, not charging, demanding monies would be more accurate.
Well, after thinking a little, this is my conclusion.

It's in poor taste, definitely. However, it's freedom of expression for him to create it. At the same time, though, Newgrounds has all right to remove it. Because he is hosting it on their site; now, if he created his own website for it, then that'd be different, because it would be HIS site.

So, in the end of it all, I think yes, Newgrounds should take it off. However, if he makes his own site, then whatever; he'll be diving into his own problems with that, and whatever happens to that site, I don't care.
He created it, so how could he possibly be stopped from profiting from that? Yeah, politicians might think of something, but they don't play by their own rules, sometimes.

Persoanlly I think this could be stopped if the game contains references to actual people. They should be having some kind of protection by law against being 'virtualized' in a video game without their consent.
I don't buy the "Free speech" excuse in this case. To use free speech, you must have a speech first. Where is it in this crappy flash game ? Where is it in this money request ?

Although I didn't like SCMRPG, I have to recognize that at least, Danny Ledonne had something to say.
god what a douchebag. there is a difference between SCMRPG and this game, SCMRPG as controversial as it was, wasnt made for the sole purpose of being controversial as a desperate attempt to get attention.
I believe that free speech applies to everything you want to say, create or publish. Doesn't matter if you stutter or if your grammar is less than perfect. Things don't have to be made with talent and skill, they don't have to be smart or beautiful. If what's being published isn't actually against the law, that is.
"Thing is, he’s charging for it, so it’s not even ‘Free’ speech any more, by charging for it, he’s making it a commercial product"

Jack Thompson thanks you. You just stated that commercial products aren't protected under the first amendment.
If this is a joke, then it's a bad one.
If not, well then this guy is just a retarded, greedy asshole.
Enough said.
Wow...

I always try to see good in people even the gamers anti-christ JT... but what a colossal anus!
I Hope he doesn't get any money, because even if he does get $1000 he could be lying. or take it down, and make a Version 2, and post it.

Poll need new option tho "Take it down to piss off the maker"
I just played the game. This might sound bad, but it made me laugh. I laughed that anyone would put their name down on that game and take credit for it. I laughed that anyone would take it seriously. And the fact that he wants paid to take it down? Even more hilarious.

Now, we GPers know the issue this will cause with the anti-game crowd, but Lambourn just handed us all the ammo we need. He is just out to exort people based on his use of controversy. Been done before, and better, Lambourn. Now I know there will be the Burrell's out there that can't or won't understand, but it's fairly evident this is a quick notoriety-making, get-rich quick scheme. So most folks, even politicians, can be told that. If not them, the courts will see it for what it is.
[...] Como cuando apareció Super Columbine, la masacre de Virginia Tech ya tiene su videojuego: V-Tech Rampage. En los Estados Unidos comenzó la polémica y el creador del game pide dinero para bajarlo de la red: promete pedir disculpas a cambio de 3 mil dólares [...]
The poll is really given much choice. There must be an option that says something like:
The game is appaling and should be taken offline. This does not breach freedom of speech because Newgrounds can do whatever they want with posted content.
I maintain my original stance; though it would appear that in Australia they don't have the same freedom of speech laws that we do here in America. Now he's asking for money to not only take his tripe off line but also to apologize. That just puts him in the same boat as JT in my opinion. A self centered massacre chaser.

I feel the need to reiterate a point that seems to have been lost over the years. Along with the freedom to freely express ourselves, there also comes the responsibility to use that freedom wisely. Yes there will always be people who act like jerks and abuse the freedoms they enjoy; but if we don't start stepping up and speaking out against things like this on a moral level, then we risk losing those freedoms to the public's lemming like desire to feel safe.
He's an Australian guy, right? Like me. Cool.

Aussies don't have protected free speech. It's not in our constitution. We have an 'implied right of political expression', but there are no laws that protect us from being censored.

Though Australia is a signatory of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it has not been ratified into law through Parliament, and proposals to add free speech to our constitution were rejected back in the 40's.

I'm no lawyer, and things may have changed since I last checked, but the creator of this work has no personal right to free speech.

That being said, it would stil be morally wrong to censor him. But it would also be morally wrong to sit back and let him do this without complaint. Just as it's morally wrong to make people PAY in order to remove his work. If he knows his work should be removed, then he should remove it. Otherwise he's blackmailing people over the spread of reprehensible material.
As long as he doesn't do anything to infringe upon the rights of others, people can only really see it as Offensive and not illegal, etc, etc.
I don't think anyone ever said it was illegal. It is offensive and morally repugnant though, moreso now that he's trying to extort money over it.
I don't think there's anything wrong with making a game about VTech. This guy obviously is not of the highest character, but a lot of people aren't.

It's definitely in bad taste, that's his prerogative. What is not, however, and grounds for removal of the game is his use of copyrighted music without the permission of the label or artist. Someone call the RIAA... haha
Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you SHOULD do it.

Making a game like this, knowing it wil cause outrage and hurt people who have lost loved ones in this tragedy, putting it on the web and then asking for money is an act by a very very sick person.

I personally hope that something very horrible happens to him, preferably over a period of a few months involving a cheese grater or similar device.
This is pathetic...

Now, I'm not big on SCMRPG myself, but at least with that there was a point: The author had something to say and the nerve to do it despite the subject. But this? This is a cheap copy cat attempt devoid of that point. And now he's trying to make money off it.

Free speech? Yes, of course he has his right to create this game and post it online, just as I have mine to think he's an idiot for it. That's how it works, right? It's Free speech, not "I have to agree with everything put in front of me" speech.
If you'd like to give Ryan Lambourn a call, his number is: (02) 9670-2947

Or, for those of you calling from outside Australia, that's: +61 2 9670 2947.

It's just past 10:30pm here Sydney time, so you won't want to call in say, 3 hours time from now.

And he lives here if you're interested:
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=8+Barossa+Close,+St.+Clair,+N...
I seem to recall Lambourn stating that we all cared more about GTA IV then people's lives...so I guess making a mockery of a horrid tragedy really shows that you care about people's lives??? I don't get it.

The part of me that believes in human decency doesn't want to accept the idea that Pigpen would make a game that trivializes over 30 deaths just for the hell of it. He's been acting the fool ever since he finished it, but I can't help but wonder what train of thought got the ball rolling, if maybe there was a more meaningful purpose to it all at one point.

Then again, I'm the type of guy who'd trust Al Capone with my lunch money, so...
In my opinion, this is not really expression of anything but greed. I don't believe the Super Columbine Massacre was necessarily a good idea. I don't know if Danny Ledonne's heart is where he says it is, but the potential exists for what he says to be true--that the intent was to cause people to reflect. This guy lost that the minute it became a ransom. Now it says one thing: "I'm pissing you off to get money."

Does he have the right to do this? In the USA, yes. I'll defend Ledonne's right to go forward with SCM. I'll laud his bravery, and the fact that he didn't back down under pressure. I'll definitely defend his right to freedom of expression. I acknowledge this fellow has the same rights. But please don't defend freedom of expression in this one particular case, because he doesn't care about his freedom of expression here--if he did, it wouldn't be for sale.

I will say this, though: I don't want Newgrounds to pull the plug, for one reason: it sets a precedent that would likely cause meritorious, but potentially offensive things to be pulled as well. I would much rather see pressure from people who know him, and are disgusted with him, cause him to remove it.
Ya know if anonymous ever wanted to get some good kharma, this would be a good opportunity.
I think he's a horrible person.

There's a clear difference between what he's done and made and the Columbine Game.

For what its worth, I hope this stays with him, and that no legitimate workplace, game industry or otherwise, find hims a worthy person to employ. For all the rights he has, human, moral or governmental, I can't, now, find a way to respect him or what he's done.
[i]n the history of video games, perhaps in the history of the Internet, this is something never seen before: an audience held hostage.[/i]

Technically, this isn't correct. Anyone remember savetoby.com ??? Some other jackass tried to extort money out of people by saying that if he had found a bunny, posted pictures of it, and said that if he didn't receive a certain amount of donations, he was going to eat him. The idiot not only received mainstream media coverage, but he actually succeeded and got money. The asshole behind this game is probably just trying to pull the same stunt.
I thought about this a good deal; frankly it's a tough one. The man is a whore, that's all there is to it, he did this solely for the shock value and attention (and now, evidently, some money) and not to make some great political statement. That being said it is free speech, New Grounds should not take the game down although it is their right to do so, I say this because New Grounds is a bastion of free expression, and if they start to make a distinction about what is in too poor of taste to be accepted by their site and what is not, they are leading themselves down a slippery slope of censorship. It is easy to defend free speech when there is no controversy, it is times when we feel the line should be drawn, times when there is no reputable defense or purpose of the speech in question, times when the speech in question actively seeks to contrast itself with all that we find compassionate and decent that we must tell ourselves to NOT draw the line and defend that person's right to say whatever disgusting and purposeless thing they choose to.
Excuse me? Making a bad game is allright, even if it is in poor taste. Extorting people to pull it down? Screw that. Free speech is one thing, blackmail another. What a *********
Ok lets get this trainwreck on track

1. This isn't blackmail or extortion because we choose to view it on one site on the vast internets.

2. There is no governing body of the internet.

3. Newgrounds is the only company with the authority to remove the content.

4. Anyone willing to see this medium go to status of art and rightfully be protected better think twice against censoring this man.

5. The asshole posed this proposition because he worked on a project and people then screamed for its removal. He doesn't want to take this down but he's willing to see if people will pay for its removal.

I personally applaud Newgrounds for not taking this game down because they obviously know whats at stake. The creators of Newgrounds just recently dropped from an awards ceremony because of this very censorship with SCMRPG (Behemoth Studios).

Quality and choice of media be it hard coding or flash should not matter to us because we would like to see games protected as art and speech. Not just EA and Acclaim titles but also independent ones. This forces us to take in the good with the bad. So stop being hypocritical and realize what the hell you're supporting.
HAHAHAHAHA!

Yes! Almost makes me want to donate to this guy. Look at the "tragedy" which is V-Tech shootings and then look at what is being done everyday in Darfur, Iraq, Pakistan... and you'll put things into perspective. I don't care at all about his game, but I do care about his right to make it, his right to profit from it and his right to rub it in people's face.
The guy sells his Freedom of Speech for a very low amount.

Now, if someone wants to pay ME to shut up (written and vocal) on all issues, I'll take 10 billion dollars. Non negotiable

To pay me to speak only in favor of someone else's opinions and beliefs, even if I don't agree with them, the bidding starts at 1 trillion dollars.

Relly, you're gonna have to do better than a few thousand dollars, even for an apology I wouldn't mean.

Nightwng2000
NW2K Software
I don't think you people got it. He's stretching his freedom of speech and he's antagonizing people with this claim. If he's truly serious about this ransom, he's scum. But if he's saying it in the way I would say it to a group of people upset at a videogame made about a school shooting "Give me money to care" sort of way, he's noble.

The game sucks anyway, though. It's more likely that he's scum.
Well said, Konstruct.

This guy is an idiot, and is clearly trying to profit off a tragedy in a heartless way. However, the way he's doing it, though tasteless, is not illegal.

The solution is simple. The guy's manipulating the media to create the controversy that will drive traffic to his website, and therefore more people who might be willing to pay up. Media, therefore, needs to ignore this guy and anyone else who tries a stunt like this, to minimise the traffic.

Complaints should also go not to Newgrounds for hosting the site - free speech reasons, etc. - but to whoever is processing the credit card payments, be it Paypal or whoever (I didn't bother to grace his site with a hit to find out). If the payment facilities are pulled, then free speech and morality are restored.
@ Brandon

The best free speech is antagonizing. Also there are no speech laws on the internet. There is no ransom being held so what did he do wrong? The guy made a shitty controversial game and everyone else got upset. We're not forced to play it and we aren't forced to look at it. We're not here to discuss the moral fiber of his character but of the right for his work to remain uncensored.
I think he should take it down not because it's offensive, but because he's using the situation to make money. Maybe when someone in his family dies we can make a game about it and demand money from him to take it down.
I think this is a good move for PiGPEN -- every stunt he pulls like this, the less credibility he will have. He keeps going, even JT will be able to make of him here soon :-P ...

Yeah, the kid is a moron and clearly has no concept of his actions or the repercussions. Like I said, if he keeps on rolling like he's doing with these ridiculous demands, the gaming industry won't have to ostracize him -- he's doing a pretty good job of making himself look like a crack-pot as it is.
Just as he has the right to be a duche and make the game...

We have the right to call him a duche and show the world that he is the abberation. We do not, however, have the right to sensor him. Yes, that would be the easy thing to do...but the consequences of that one act will come back and bite us.
You know, as much as I hate this game, and I hate what he's doing, he's got us in a corner. If we don't try to have it taken down, then this is another black eye for the industry for a game it didn't make. However, if we DO try and have it taken down, it doesn't really make us much better than Jack, does it. It's a real catch-22, huh
I find this game to be extremely offensive and in the worst taste. I know the anti-gaming nuts will latch onto it as ammunition for their little crusade.

But that *can't* trump free speech. The response to garbage like this should not be censorship, but to drown it out with our own speech. Make it clear that he does not represent us, and then just hope that the mainstream gets the message. That's all we can do, really.
I don't really see the problem.. if people really don't like the idea.. they can ignore it. I think this goes with the idea that you can demand somethign you don't like to be put off.... instead of dealing with it.

And I don't see any relationship with the video game industry.. it's one person.. It's when people try to generalize the situation when it turns into something like good and evil..
You may not see any relationship with the industry, but the media does. Remember, the media and the politicians believe all video games, homebrew or retail, are part of the same industry. Therefore, when something like THIS comes out, guess who has to take the blame. I'll give you a hint, it's not the kid who made this in his mom's basement.
this is a bit late.. but it also seems to contradict games such as gta... Most people fight to have those games not targetted for censorship.. and someone appearly goes over the line.. and everyone does a backflip and say the game should be put down.
I think David Ikari's comment needs repeating from another Aussie:

"Aussies don’t have protected free speech. It’s not in our constitution. We have an ‘implied right of political expression’, but there are no laws that protect us from being censored."

Yes, there is no governing body on the internet. But this was posted by an Australian from an Australian computer. It's abhorrent and disgusting that this child has taken it so far and asked for money to take it down and is selling an apology. But if it was to be censored, it could happen here and he could scream "freedom of speech" til the roos come home (to put a twist on the old saying) and we'd just laugh at him.

Yes, Aussies are considered to be laid back people and a lot of things that people say tend to get shrugged off. But there is a line, and this kid didn't just step over it...he stepped over it, spat on it and gave the line the finger before walking away.
It really is a disgrace to try to profit from peoples' suffering in this manner.

You want to make the game, fine. You want to host it... okay.

You want to charge a ransom? Get a life.

Also, where is this money going? In this loser's coffers? nt kk baibai.
MaskedPixelante.

But those same people in the political and media ring are out of touch with the average people.. if anything, the people out of touch with video game would be drawn to those conclusions.

But when it comes to blame.. it would be illogical to blame the industry.. But I think it's just the time.. in 10 or so years things will change. Right now, it's people picking up on things while ignoring more important matters....

though maybe the problem is I can't see it and can only think of it in a technical and objective view.
Paige

I see your point... it can be easily taken down if enough demand for it comes up.
There is almost no point in arguing anything on this topic. He's got everyone caught, and if you donate, its just like troll feeding on forums. You only get more asshats to do it. I say just lean back and forget about this new scar on our reputation >,
@Point09Micron 'Jack Thompson thanks you. You just stated that commercial products aren’t protected under the first amendment. '

Where the hell did you read that? As stated in headline of this article, he is asking for donations now, that means he wants to make a profit from the item, hence the statement it is not 'free', he wants money for it.

Believe it or not, not everything is about Jack Thompson.
even though I belive that this guy should of had the right to make and publish the game. I think that what he did was insensitive and is only giving fuel to the people that want to make laws prohibiting games and put them in the same categorie as porn.
I find this thing as disgusting and disgraceful as everyone else but I have to say it -- The time to defend freedom of speech isn't just when you agree with what is being said, but when you hate it and abhor it to the depths of your being. That's what keeps free speech FREE. I know Australia doesn't actually have freedom of speech laws, but I don't really care. In my mind there are certain rights that should be accorded all people and free speech is one of them. If I b