Play at Your Peril – Controversial Games of 2009

22/01/2010

Every year computer games spark hysteria and controversy as gamers and critics clamour to rate and rave about the newest releases. So what’s caused the biggest fuss over the past 12 months?

2009 was the year of ultra realistic game play with gritty shoot-em-ups and simulators alike capturing the public’s imagination. Here are a few of the games that hitthe headlines.

Duty of care

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 undoubtedly provoked more controversy than any other game. For gamers over the age of 18, the title boasts dual wield weapons, many new multiplayer features, snowmobile races and the option to take on over 50 enemies at once…if you so desire.

With real wars dominating the news agenda, it is little surprise Modern Warfare 2 has come under fire for its use of extreme violence. However, one scene in particular has incurred critics’ wrath. Leaked game play footage caused a stir, showing a player taking control of a terrorist to gun down innocent civilians in an indiscriminate attack in a Russian public airport. Played in the first person, the footage even shocked lifetime ‘desensitised’ gamers.

So is the game a watershed moment for video game storytelling? The Call of Duty series has already been heralded as ‘genre defining’ so is it just pushing the boundaries a little further by offering an edgy viewpoint?

If a truly great video game’s strength lies in its interactivity and power to provoke thought, then maybe Modern Warfare 2 has set a new benchmark in the shoot-em-up genre. But should the interactivity be reigned in to prevent a highly sensitive and controversial scene degenerating into a gratuitous bloodbath?

The game has even ignited a heated debate in the House of Commons – no, we don’t think anyone bought a copy on expenses – as one politician condemned the game for its “scenes of brutality” (Keith Vaz) while another set up a Facebook group called Gamer’s Voice as a pressure group for video game fans. There are even rumours the Russian Government tried to ban it!

Despite the fanatical furore, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 sold a staggering four million copies on the day of its worldwide release and is still the biggest selling game of all time in the UK.

In another anti-violence move, Australia’s Attorney General has refused classification to Sega’s Alien vs Predator game, criticising is content of decapitation and dismemberment. Australia has no 18+ or mature-rated classification for videogames, leading to titles such as Left 4 Dead 2 becoming effectively banned.

Furious Angels

Unsurprisingly perhaps, the Church has damned games depicting violence and human suffering, but some clergymen were split over Microsoft’s celestial Halo 3 ODST (Orbital Drop Shock Trooper) offering, unveiled earlier this year.

Enterprising churches in America used the game to attract youngsters seeking the thrill of the kill, inviting the elusive young male audience to come for the game and stay for the sermon. Desperate to reach out to young people, protestant and evangelist ministers have copped criticism for using a Mature-rated game as a recruiting tool, holding popular Halo nights with multiple consoles so teens can shoot it out.

Some church leaders support Halo, despite its ‘thou shalt kill’ message, claiming the game provokes moral debate. What cannot be questioned is Halo’s enduring appeal. The first two instalments sold a whopping fifteen million copies.

Simulation grips the nation

Nurturing humans is the name of the game in the eagerly awaited Sims 3. As queues snaked round shopping centres and special editions sold out, the popular sequel sold 1.4 million copies worldwide in its first week and continued to dominate sales charts a month later.

Better visuals and downloadable content has ensured its addictive game play endures. Traditionally a PC game, the Sims is now available on a number of consoles and was recently topped the best selling games list on Apple’s App store for 2009, beating over 20,000 other contenders.

Electronic Arts is set to build on the Sims’ success with the release of the Create a World ToolBeta, allowing geeks to create any world they would like…from scratch. Good news for the less technically minded too, players with Sim City 4 and other Sims packages can build a community and share it with other fans.

Believe the hype

Much hyped games come and go but few have been as hotly anticipated as Beatles Rock Band. While adoring fans clamoured to take their place in the Fab four line-up it has been reported McCartney and Ringo had difficulty with the buttons, failing at their own hits. The game’s plethora of songs, retro handsets and lush graphics has trumped Guitar Hero’s desirability and bagged the Video Game Awards’ top music game prize.

In another much-publicised blast from the past, Nintendo’s favourite plumbers have powered up the game polls with a new multiplayer mode in New Super Mario Bros. According to Nintendo’s internal numbers, the Wii game has sold over two million units state-side since its November release.

Narrowly sneaking into 2009 was Dragon Age: Origins. First announced three years ago and the subject of excitement ever since, the role playing game had tonnes of game play video released to whet players’ appetites. The fantasy game has proved predictably popular and has even been praised for a controversial gay elf love scene.

It seems there will always be controversy in the video game arena as ever more vivid graphics give gritty violent scenes teeth and increasingly interactive game play boosts player involvement. One thing however remains irrefutable. There is real demand for creative games which give us different experiences. From SAS storm troopers to pixies, adults are increasingly demanding a release from their everyday lives. So while we look back on the gaming achievements of 2009, we have to wonder what the future holds for 2010.