TITLE
In Moral Debate About Shadow Complex, Both Sides Have Their Say
AUTHOR
Stephen Totilo
PUBLICATION
Kotaku
YEAR
2009
ARTICLE TYPE
Article
FROM THE ARTICLE
Kim Wong refuses to buy the new Xbox 360 game Shadow Complex. Revolted by the political views of a novelist associated with the game, the 27-year old gamer’s conscience holds him back. But there’s another side to the story.For the past week or so, some gamers and game reporters online have begun discussing the newly-released Xbox Live Arcade side-scrolling adventure game Shadow Complex in ways not intended by its creators. Stepping away from a discussion about how the game is one of the biggest downloadable titles ever made, a collaboration between a leading studio and some bright young talents, a love letter to the classic, but neglected, designs of Nintendo’s early Metroid adventures, some gamers have instead debated whether buying Shadow Complex is an intolerable act of support for someone they view as an opponent of gay rights, novelist Orson Scott Card.
The debate around the game has provoked a rare discussion about whether the political, moral or religious views of people involved with making or promoting a video game — views so rarely discussed publicly by video game creators — should or would affect whether a person buys a particular title. Fun factor’s got nothing to do with it. Or does it?
GAMES MENTIONED
Shadow Complex
PEOPLE MENTIONED
Orson Scott Card
Peter David
Mark Rein
TOPICS MENTIONED
LGBTQ