Wonkette Calls Out Mindless Candidate Fighting Games

BLOG ARCHIVE

Wonkette Calls Out Mindless Candidate Fighting Games

May 5, 2008

Here in the GamePolitics command bunker we've grown weary of this campaign season's unending parade of online fighting games featuring presidential candidates.

And so too, apparently, has the Wonkette. While the Washington, D.C. gossip blog's criticism applies in particular to the NY Posts's 2008 Democratic Fight Night, the same commentary could be applied across board to the cheezy, online marriage of politics and martial arts.

Hey look, the New York Post has created an online video game where you can beat the shit out of Hillary Clinton! All you have to do is select a character and then click your mouse forever.

Posted in

Comments

Submitted by Sherlock - May 5, 2008 at 12:40 pm -0500

@ Overcast

There are some missions where you work for politicians. In Liberty City Stories, have the game was spent trying to get [SPOILER]Donald Love[/SPOILER] elected mayor. In GTA IV, there's a whole series of missions where you [SPOILER]keep the homosexual love affair between two characters secret.[/SPOILER]

On second thought, that's not much of a spoiler, but I'm not taking any chances. [SPOILER]None at all.[/SPOILER]

Submitted by Helpless Doom - May 5, 2008 at 9:54 am -0500

Can you take her money after you kill her? Is this rated AO?

Submitted by Werrick - May 5, 2008 at 9:58 am -0500

I'm worried that this kind of game glorifies violence and will encourage young people to carry out acts of aggression and horrific violence on women.

Clearly this is a sexist plot by the male-industrial complex to keep women down.

*flicks open his lighter*

Quick, someone gimme a bra!

Submitted by Wonkette Calls Out Mindless Candidate Fighting Games - May 5, 2008 at 9:59 am -0500

[...] wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptHere in the GamePolitics command bunker we’ve grown weary of this campaign season’s unending parade of online fighting games featuring presidential candidates. And so too, apparently, has the Wonkette. While the Washington, D.C. gossip blog’s criticism applies in particular to the NY Posts’s 2008 Democratic Fight Night, the same commentary could be applied across board to the cheezy, online marriage of politics and martial arts. Hey look, the New York Post has created an online video game where you can beat the shit out of Hillary Clinton! All you have to do is select a character and then click your mouse forever. [...]

Submitted by Tallimar - May 5, 2008 at 10:03 am -0500

jack told me that there was pornography in this game and it must be banned!

disclaimer: not really, i just made it up :P

Submitted by TheRoosterRngr - May 5, 2008 at 10:20 am -0500

Yea! They should make downloadable content for GTA IV with presidential candidate pedestrians and multiplayer models! It is candidate fighting games advanced!

Submitted by Eville1 - May 5, 2008 at 10:35 am -0500

Because the coverage of the race itself is so, soooo boring and overdone we have to harp on idiotic things like this?

Submitted by Gir - May 5, 2008 at 10:36 am -0500

As Stephen Colbert has shown us, isn't this what Wii boxing is for?

Submitted by Overcast - May 5, 2008 at 11:08 am -0500

GTA does far less to harm society than politicians.
I think that's likely even provable, statistically.

Like Mark Twain said: "It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly American criminal class except Congress."

How true that is.

GTA would be more lifelike it you were doing deals for politicians under the table - like silencing hookers and such.

Submitted by Marlowe - May 5, 2008 at 12:28 pm -0500

It's pretty sad considering the video game medium is so under-utilized in its ability to make profound social and political statements that its being used in such a mindless way. Come on Bogost, where are you when we need you.

Submitted by Overcast - May 5, 2008 at 12:58 pm -0500

Yeah - I remember the one in Vice City where you did the 'work' for the real estate baron too.

I haven't tired GTA IV just yet - my son's too busy playing it - I figure once I start, I'll be on it constantly, so I'll keep myself busy doing other stuff.

I'm not too worried about spoilers - but thanks for the warning :)

I was being a bit sarcastic too in that above post ;) - hehe.

Submitted by JustChris - May 5, 2008 at 4:06 pm -0500

@TheRoosterRngr,

Or better, hack Super Smash Bros. Brawl to make an all-political roster! A guy can dream, can he?

Submitted by E. Zachary Knight - May 5, 2008 at 4:52 pm -0500

Two questions:

1. Why was I able throw 140 punches and land 142?

2. Why is she only complaining about beating up Hillary?

On a related topic, I too am annoyed with the crap that comes fromthe so called "editorial games" sector.

Don't get too excited, but I see some major changes in the works.

Submitted by Bianca - May 5, 2008 at 5:58 pm -0500

Amusing.

*has the attention span of a gold fish*

Oooo! Pretty colours! *runs after a kite*

Submitted by chadachada123 - May 5, 2008 at 6:06 pm -0500

Hm..."an online video game where you can beat the shit out of Hillary Clinton!"

So...that just made me want to play it. I'm only sad it was so unviolent.
Oh well

Submitted by LsTrOfSmG - May 5, 2008 at 6:18 pm -0500

Oh the hypocritical irony!

Submitted by Hm - May 5, 2008 at 6:54 pm -0500

I'm agreeing with the blogger here.

Seriously, honestly, the political fighting games are fucking stupid and childish.

"Hurr hurr elections r liek boxin lol so funny"

Submitted by Altair - May 5, 2008 at 11:37 pm -0500

I think my IQ dropped while playing that game @_@

Submitted by Altair - May 5, 2008 at 11:38 pm -0500

@ e zachary:

Cause shees the one many of us would like to beat up. ;)