The return of why is everyone so effing over-sensitive? (GUN related)

[javeryh]

The Association for American Indian Development has drawn up a petition to boycott Activision's free-roaming Wild West title, Gun. The organization is outraged at the game's depiction of the Apache people, including "the slaughtering of the 'Renegade' Apaches, the atrocity of 'Indian Scalping' and the mis-information of Indian traditions of 'killing' sacred white animals." The petition requests that Activision remove all "derogatory, harmful, and inaccurate depictions of American Indians" from Gun and reissue the game. In the event that Activision is unwilling to do so, the petition demands a recall.

http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/01/association-for-american-indian-development-calls-for-gun-boycot/

It just makes me nuts. It's just a GAME people. Maybe we should recall all Mega Man games because they depict scientists as madmen? Or maybe we should recall DOA4 because of all the violence towards women? Or maybe we should recall GTA because of the negative stereotypes? (oh wait...)

[ArthurDigbySellers]

Kill all the Haitians!

[Supercake]

A western game without indians wouldn't be that good, would it? Didn't Hitman 2 get slammed for something similar?

[sblymnlcrymnl]

It should be boycotted for being a piece of shit, not because someone was offended.

[Apossum]

well, if anyone has a right to complain about anything...

[Scorch]

I was wondering how long it'd take.

It should be boycotted for being a piece of shit, not because someone was offended.

You should be boycotted for being a piece of shit.

//got nothin'.

The game itself isn't bad, though the town got a bit angry at me when I scalped a whore in a bar.

[sblymnlcrymnl]

It was awful from what I played, but that was less than an hour total.

[Scorch]

It was awful from what I played, but that was less than an hour total.

Then you really can't judge it if you didn't even really get into the game. The first 30/45 minutes is a damn training session where you learn the controls.

[javeryh]

when I scalped a whore in a bar.

I haven't played it but I don't see any way it could be a bad game if you can scalp whores in bars.

[shipwreck]

Extreme spoilers (but relevent to the discusion at hand):














The main character and hero of this game is an Apache.

[the3rdkey]

I haven't played it but I don't see any way it could be a bad game if you can scalp whores in bars.

So you are an evil lawyer?

[shipwreck]

I did find it a little strange that you could scalp people when it really had no function in the game. Well, other than hearing them yell humourous phrases as you did it.


This game has some truly mature rated moments in it and you can bet that if it were set in modern times, that it would get a lot more outcry than it does.


Oh, and shouldn't the Irish be upset about this game as well. I'm pretty sure I remember a line where the Sheriff was complaining that the Irish workers were all off getting drunk, so only the Chinese were there to finish the railroad.

[mykevermin]

Well, I'm liberal enough to firmly believe that the Cleveland Indian's "Chief Wahoo" is a racist charicature, and the name "Redskins" is another racist phrase.

However, I've played all of three minutes of "Gun," so I can't say for certain how they are depicted. If it's as bad as the old Warner Bros. cartoons, then perhaps there is some room for contention on their portrayal. If they're just upset that their digital ancestors are getting blown away, then perhaps I ought to reunite the national association of men with handlebar moustaches and armgarters to file suit as well.

[sblymnlcrymnl]

Then you really can't judge it if you didn't even really get into the game. The first 30/45 minutes is a damn training session where you learn the controls.Well, that's as much time as most games get with me. I'm just not into the idea of that game anyway.

[Ikohn4ever]

I did find it a little strange that you could scalp people when it really had no function in the game. Well, other than hearing them yell humourous phrases as you did it.


This game has some truly mature rated moments in it and you can bet that if it were set in modern times, that it would get a lot more outcry than it does.


Oh, and shouldn't the Irish be upset about this game as well. I'm pretty sure I remember a line where the Sheriff was complaining that the Irish workers were all off getting drunk, so only the Chinese were there to finish the railroad.

well i do know that the irish were payed in whiskey to work on the Erie Canal, but that was because whiskey is more acceptable for trading and buying then money at that time, so I mean there is some truth to that, like all stereotypes

[Transformah]

Its a fun game, but short and easy. I was a little suprised to blow away droves of indians at the beginning of the game, but you make up for it later in the game.

[Brak]

There was a letter in the TeamXbox mailsack regarding this. Someone wrote TeamXbox, expressing their disgust for "them" making such a game -- as if TeamXbox made it, or as if Xbox made it, for that matter.

GUN Game

I am absolutely disgusted by your new Gun game. You are glorifying the slaughter and genocide of American Indians.

Why didn't you make Southern Red Neck game with KKK members lynching black people or a Nazi game where players kill Jewish people -- I'm willing to bet it's because your CEO's knew it would not be tolerated and there would be a public outcry. Well...I for one am outraged at this new game. I am so upset about it that I returned the X-Box game system I purchased last week for my granddaughter's birthday.

TeamXbox says:

Keep in mind that TeamXbox.com is not affiliated with Neversoft, Activision, or any of the console manufacturers (Sony and Microsoft) on which the game appears. We simply report on games...we don't make them.

While I thought GUN had only decent gameplay elements, it's obvious you have not played through the game. Based on your comments, the object of the game is to simply ride through the West, slicing and dicing Apaches at first sight.

Like any story, movie, television program - there is always a good guy and a bad guy. In GUN, it is true that you kill Indians, but because they have been corrupted and they take the initiative to kill innocent people first.

Where you aware the main character in GUN also kills corrupted white men and partners with a set of good natured Indians to rescue their brothers?

I also assume that you've never watched a western movie (especially in the 50' and 60's) where Indians were usually the "bad guys". Were movie studios promoting genocide back then?

Am I defending what happened to the Indians? Absolutely not. It was a travesty to be sure. So was slavery. As was what was carried out by the Nazi's against the Jews. Yet they still make Civil War and WWII movies, right? I watched Platoon the other night...did I view it as anti-Vietnamese propaganda? No, it's a movie. It is supposed to entertain. Games are supposed to do the same thing.

Is it then ok if we play a game in which we kill Middle Eastern radicals, just because it meets with the current political agenda? Are we promoting animal cruelty if we don't bathe or feed our dogs in the game Nintendogs?

Bottom line: You are misinformed about the objective of the game GUN. It was to seek out an evil man who killed the protagonist's father - NOT to kill Indians mindlessly.

Just like a rated R movie, GUN is rated M for mature, which means it is not intended for any one under the age of 17. If parents somehow let their 7 year old play a game like GUN, then that's their fault - not the fault of the developer. Adults should have the choice to play, watch, read whatever they choose - within the law.

Before you start blaming Microsoft, did you know that there is game entitled "The Bible Game" also on the console? "YourSelf! Fitness" helps people get into shape as well. The problem isn't games. The problem is the lack of parental direction and the fact that some allow their kids to play games that weren't intended for them.

Their response kind of trails off into other realms of video game politics, but the reality is people merely hear that you shoot Indians in the game and go into a tizzy. Disregarding the fact that the main character is half Native American, disregarding the fact that their were villainous Native Americans (who were enemies to other Native American tribes) and disregarding the fact that white people were depicted in this game as villains, just as predominant -- if not more so.

GUN seems to be a satire on the more violent westerns and Hollywood's vision of what the west was like -- playing within that fictional reality.

[Mookyjooky]

The indians should worry less about violent videogames and more about gettin off the booze.

They're not gonna take the land back from the white devil with all that slackin off.

[javeryh]

The indians should worry less about violent videogames and more about gettin off the booze.

They're not gonna take the land back from the white devil with all that slackin off.

You forgot about their gambling addiction too.

[Ikohn4ever]

You forgot about their gambling addiction too.


you forgot about their choice of lobbyists in government, "Casino Jack"

[alonzomourning23]

There was a letter in the TeamXbox mailsack regarding this. Someone wrote TeamXbox, expressing their disgust for "them" making such a game -- as if TeamXbox made it, or as if Xbox made it, for that matter.

GUN Game

I am absolutely disgusted by your new Gun game. You are glorifying the slaughter and genocide of American Indians.

Why didn't you make Southern Red Neck game with KKK members lynching black people or a Nazi game where players kill Jewish people -- I'm willing to bet it's because your CEO's knew it would not be tolerated and there would be a public outcry. Well...I for one am outraged at this new game. I am so upset about it that I returned the X-Box game system I purchased last week for my granddaughter's birthday.

TeamXbox says:

Keep in mind that TeamXbox.com is not affiliated with Neversoft, Activision, or any of the console manufacturers (Sony and Microsoft) on which the game appears. We simply report on games...we don't make them.

While I thought GUN had only decent gameplay elements, it's obvious you have not played through the game. Based on your comments, the object of the game is to simply ride through the West, slicing and dicing Apaches at first sight.

Like any story, movie, television program - there is always a good guy and a bad guy. In GUN, it is true that you kill Indians, but because they have been corrupted and they take the initiative to kill innocent people first.

Where you aware the main character in GUN also kills corrupted white men and partners with a set of good natured Indians to rescue their brothers?

I also assume that you've never watched a western movie (especially in the 50' and 60's) where Indians were usually the "bad guys". Were movie studios promoting genocide back then?

Am I defending what happened to the Indians? Absolutely not. It was a travesty to be sure. So was slavery. As was what was carried out by the Nazi's against the Jews. Yet they still make Civil War and WWII movies, right? I watched Platoon the other night...did I view it as anti-Vietnamese propaganda? No, it's a movie. It is supposed to entertain. Games are supposed to do the same thing.

Is it then ok if we play a game in which we kill Middle Eastern radicals, just because it meets with the current political agenda? Are we promoting animal cruelty if we don't bathe or feed our dogs in the game Nintendogs?

Bottom line: You are misinformed about the objective of the game GUN. It was to seek out an evil man who killed the protagonist's father - NOT to kill Indians mindlessly.

Just like a rated R movie, GUN is rated M for mature, which means it is not intended for any one under the age of 17. If parents somehow let their 7 year old play a game like GUN, then that's their fault - not the fault of the developer. Adults should have the choice to play, watch, read whatever they choose - within the law.

Before you start blaming Microsoft, did you know that there is game entitled "The Bible Game" also on the console? "YourSelf! Fitness" helps people get into shape as well. The problem isn't games. The problem is the lack of parental direction and the fact that some allow their kids to play games that weren't intended for them.

Their response kind of trails off into other realms of video game politics, but the reality is people merely hear that you shoot Indians in the game and go into a tizzy. Disregarding the fact that the main character is half Native American, disregarding the fact that their were villainous Native Americans (who were enemies to other Native American tribes) and disregarding the fact that white people were depicted in this game as villains, just as predominant -- if not more so.

GUN seems to be a satire on the more violent westerns and Hollywood's vision of what the west was like -- playing within that fictional reality.

If guys like that keep speaking for the video game industry no wonder they're screwed.

I admit I haven't played the game (or had any interest in it). Going simply on the descriptions here I am sympathetic to those claiming to be offended. I wouldn't really support pulling it, but their claim seems legitimate. But that guys response makes me think he's a jerk and makes me want to support those attacking the game more.

[Mookyjooky]

You forgot about their gambling addiction too.

Eh, they only lose money at their own casinos. Its like black drug dealers selling in their own black communities... double the pain and forever stuck in the shitter.

Geez, do the taxpayers have to pay forever for stupid shit from 200 years ago? I've never owned slaves and I've never taken indian land. But I suppose my 50% of the 28% in taxes wasnt going to anything anyways.

I've been broke, and lived in the projects and stole bagels from albersons to survive. But I never took a handout. People who do should feel ashamed. I would.

I've been on indian reservations, and let me tell you... some of them are like 3rd world nations.

[Skelah]

The indian bashing isnt needed how can anyone realy debate the complaint if u start off by claiming all indians are on the booze.

Im only on the booze occasionaly 8-)

I find it wierd how the indian community picks there battles tho I havent played the game so I dunno what to say about it but the high ups seem very easily bought off when there upset about things.

Id also like to add..wheres my casino money reperations are due and its never going down cause its being invested in casinos making the tribes that live close by rich .

They should be more concerned about there own people in the real world than video games.

[the_gloaming]

I enjoyed the game, but I played it on 360 at my friend's house ... with Johnny Cash playing from the console. It set the mood way better than the original soundtrack (did it have one?)

I guess I can understand the depiction of the indi -- native americans. When you kill them, they scream and holler like animals and they truly are savage in the game, like bloodthirsty creatures. But I never got that far in it (like the article says, there are some good ones later on, I guess). All the ones I slaughtered were like animals.

But then again, the hero himself is half-Apache. Don't worry, it's not a spoiler, it says so in the opening sequence. Besides, it's easy to tell from his appearance. Personally I would've liked better to play a regular old cowboy than a half-native-american-half-white-man. Seems like it was an attempt to calm some political drama that would eventually (and has) come their way.

Before I get long winded ... I guess I can understand the argument, but I still think it's silly. It's just a game and it really is the responsibility of those buying the games to make sure they know what they (or the child they're buying for) are in for.

[Roufuss]

Didn't Red Dead Revolver have indians that you killed?

Where was the hate towards that game?

Hey, if anything, this makes me want to go throw down $15 at Best Buy this week to see how the game is, so I guess their petition had a reverse effect on me.

And wait, what the hell? The lady on the TeamXbox article bought a game called GUN for her grand daughters birthday, and didn't think there would be anything wrong with it? That is just a stupid idea on her part, why would she ever think a game called Gun would be suitable for a child, just based on name alone?

[shieryda]

Now I'm confused. Are we talking about Indians, or "Native Americans";)

[shipwreck]

Now I'm confused. Are we talking about Indians, or "Native Americans";)

According to the first post: American Indians.

[nakanenui]

indians... feathers, not dots. ikik.

[usickenme]

Gun was awesome, I really enjoyed the gameplay/ story and atmosphere. Truely there are some groan inducing moments with regards to American Indians but those are usually spoken by the bad characters or about a specific group. Plus within the context of the Western settings I think the game was fair. History shows us that American Indians were not some united group against the white man. There was in-fighting, wars, alliances, between everyone and the game shows this.

[RelentlessRolento]

in ten years from now, there will be less political crap like this, guaranteed.

[Vegan]

If guys like that keep speaking for the video game industry no wonder they're screwed.

I admit I haven't played the game (or had any interest in it). Going simply on the descriptions here I am sympathetic to those claiming to be offended. I wouldn't really support pulling it, but their claim seems legitimate. But that guys response makes me think he's a jerk and makes me want to support those attacking the game more.

Really? I thought it was a perfectly reasonable arguement.

[Apossum]

*sniffs* wreaks of boneheaded ideology in here..

[Kayden]

Natives boycotting the game? Thats gotta account for atleast .01 of the gaming population!

[Brak]

Didn't Red Dead Revolver have indians that you killed?

There were villains who were Native Americans, but the main character was half Native American.

[rabbitt]

People in general are over-sensitive and should relax. A girl next to me said something along the lines of My boobs hurt, so I mentioned breast cancer, and she lost it on me, saying something about her mother and breast cancer.

[Requiem]

It should be boycotted for being a piece of shit, not because someone was offended.

:lol: I'm with you there. GUN sucked


And you know, I'm actually going to agree with the lawsuit. Native Americans have been treated like shit in forms of media. Normally I'm not cool with censorship and touchy lawsuits, but for the Native Americans, at least give them some dignity.

[Vegan]

People in general are over-sensitive and should relax. A girl next to me said something along the lines of My boobs hurt, so I mentioned breast cancer, and she lost it on me, saying something about her mother and breast cancer.

The correct reply is a massage offer.

[Mr Unoriginal]

in ten years from now, there will be less political crap like this, guaranteed.

I think you mean more. Much, much more.

[rabbitt]

The correct reply is a massage offer.

If you saw what she looks like. . .