Hit the *****: A Domestic Violence Videogame
- Thread starter Andy Chalk
- Start date
I wasn't aware that there was a difference between refering to someone as a pusy and refering to them as a gangsta 
I think this is a very badly thought-through way to go about trying to solve a very serious problem.
I think this is a very badly thought-through way to go about trying to solve a very serious problem.
There is an essential element missing that makes the comparison to A Clockwork Orange misleading.
McDowell's Alex was subjected to lengthy films of violence (which at first he enjoyed) while at the same time being administered intravenous drugs that made him feel ill.
The result was that he associated the one with the other, and although he still felt the urge to behave as he had done before, the associations built up made him feel ill at the prospect of experiencing or witnessing violence, and this led him to avoid it and changed his behavior.
I'm not entirely convinced that a good scolding (even in Danish) is going to build the same kind of associations. If you're that easily affected, you're probably not beating people up much to start with.
McDowell's Alex was subjected to lengthy films of violence (which at first he enjoyed) while at the same time being administered intravenous drugs that made him feel ill.
The result was that he associated the one with the other, and although he still felt the urge to behave as he had done before, the associations built up made him feel ill at the prospect of experiencing or witnessing violence, and this led him to avoid it and changed his behavior.
I'm not entirely convinced that a good scolding (even in Danish) is going to build the same kind of associations. If you're that easily affected, you're probably not beating people up much to start with.
Reminds me of a similar game on Newgrounds years ago...
It involved a bicycle pump and a pokemon...
I can totally see the appeal to the woman-haters... It'll go platinum for sure.
It involved a bicycle pump and a pokemon...
I can totally see the appeal to the woman-haters... It'll go platinum for sure.
It can express a viewpoint that is powerful. It can express a viewpoint in an effective manner (insofar that people understand the viewpoint, the method of expressing it has been effective).Xanadu84 said:
I cannot, however, express a viewpoint that is, in and of itself, effective. For that, it needs to have an effect. Instilling or teaching morality is an effect. They've achieved being "powerful" at least in the sense that "shocking" and "attention-getting" are considered synonyms for "powerful".
It's an open question what effect they want to achieve and whether or not the method they've chosen can be effective in achieving it. If the desired effect is to reduce violence against women I think it is unlikely to be effective. Those committing that offense, or prone to committing it, are unlikely to be affected by a stern talking-to. Those who are not are likely to make the content of the game itself the focus of discussion, undermining the real message. It may be perceived as glorifying the thing it wishes to criticize.
So are you saying that it is pointless to talk about domestic violence in any way, or that games are too weak a medium to have a powerful message?Narcogen said:
Besides, how is it that you say a game can't be powerful and effective, and then immediately say that it CAN be powerful and effective? I think you're trying to add context to my idea that simply isn't there.
If you're talking about a medium fighting a certain old-skool, outdated viewpoint, unfortunately videogames will have to wait...they are still the playground of adolescent boys, be it actually or metaphysically...but I'm still in favor of it. It has to wait until sufficient numbers enter the arena...Xanadu84 said:
Do they REALLY expect this to work?
*Facepalm and sigh*.
I have said it once and I'll say it more, we can't be like this, to get kids to stop, we need to scare the everloving shit out of them, with commercials of cops threatening kids and instead of saying "it's a stupid thing to do, violence and drugs, and if you do it etc, etc." they would say "Thinking of doing drugs tonight? Maybe hitting your girlfriend? FUCK THAT SHIT! It's not cool, and you know what you little punkass, if I catch you doing it, I will PERSONALLY SHOVE A FUCKING TAZER UP YOUR FUCKING ASS!".
Some say this is unconstitutional or something, but DAMMIT, WHAT ELSE HAVE WE GOT THAT WORKS?!
*Facepalm and sigh*.
I have said it once and I'll say it more, we can't be like this, to get kids to stop, we need to scare the everloving shit out of them, with commercials of cops threatening kids and instead of saying "it's a stupid thing to do, violence and drugs, and if you do it etc, etc." they would say "Thinking of doing drugs tonight? Maybe hitting your girlfriend? FUCK THAT SHIT! It's not cool, and you know what you little punkass, if I catch you doing it, I will PERSONALLY SHOVE A FUCKING TAZER UP YOUR FUCKING ASS!".
Some say this is unconstitutional or something, but DAMMIT, WHAT ELSE HAVE WE GOT THAT WORKS?!
I don't think that current trends or preconceptions have to enter into it. The best way to push the envelope with games is to have ideas that CAN push the envelope, and if those ideas are in the community that puts up the money to buy games, so much the better. I like the idea of mental exercises in developing "Art games" that could have a deep impact, in order to show that it is possible. Obviously, this idea isn't the best thought out one, made by people trying to capitalize on a growing medium without truly understanding its nuances. I would like to see if we, as gamers, can put out money where our mouths are and come up with a better idea. I admit that it is tricky, and making a game with a similar format means muddling through a very difficult premise. But I think its worth some thinking.funguy2121 said:
My only idea here, to create a game where the mechanics actually bring about a meaningful and relevant experience, is to provide a bit of surprise negative feedback on the reverse. Keep a glamorous, humorous view on domestic violence on one side, but have the second part of the game be from the abused perspective, and have the consequences far outweigh the original action. It would be very, very easy to have this be in terrible taste, but its a start.
It's really strange that people will form such poor opinions of something whilst admitting to not understand the very words. So here's a complete translation of all of the dialogue in the game:
The girls walks into the screen, where she announces that she has bad "the best night". Then a pause.
"Of course I have danced with someone!" Anoter pause.
"You have no right to determine with whom I can and can't dance"
Then a male voise which has this, uhm, sort of "gangster" dialect, the origins of which I can't make out, and it says: "Oops, it would appear as if you have no control over your *****, a few slaps ought to help"
Then the game begins, and you choose the control either by your mouse or webcam.
Before and during the first slaps, the girl says the following sentences in a seemingly random pattern:
"Why would I have slept with your best friend, he's just as ugly as you!"
"Only your IQ is smaller than your penis"
"If I desire to go out with Maria, then that's what I will do, it's my life"
This next one is not easily translateable, so I'll just paraphrase: You suck so much that it's difficult to believe.
Again, impossible to translate, but a word play between being drunk and having an erection.
"What part of 'Fuck off' don't you understand.
As the "pussy-gansgster" parameter reaches about 40 %, the girl says new statements:
"Perhaps you have been beaten up as a child, but don't take it out on me."
"You are weak, get that in to your head!"
"You have always appeared as a loser, but now your behavior has removed all doubt."
"Is that really the hardest you can hit?"
"The only instance in which you feel manly, is when you have sex with me, whilst I'm screaming 'NO!'"
"You call me an ugly **** in front of your friends, but what does that make you? The one who can get only ugly
cunts?"
"WHAT THE HELL IS THE MATTER WITH YOU!!?"
When the aforementioned parameter reaches around 70 %, we again hear new messages:
"Is that all you've got?"
("crybaby" may not be an accurate translation, but it was all I could find in the dictionary)
"You weak little crybaby, you really think that you are the only capable of hitting, do you really?"
"You ridiculous little man, fuck you!"
"Are you stupid or something? A 'NO!' is a 'NO!'"
"Do you feel strong now?"
"You say to me that if I really love you, I will do what? NO! If YOU really love ME, you will not make me do things, I don't want to do."
When the parameter approaches 100 %, the girl will say all of the abovementioned things, but obviously in a different recording, as the actress is more injured at this point.
Once the parameter reaches 100 %, the girl falls, and the male voice comes back and says: "You are an idiot. It's not 'ganster' to hit women, you made yourself a pussy and an idiot the very moment you raised your hand the first time. There exists no excuses for using violence, none! So seek help before it's too late."After this a female voice (perhaps the voice of the actress?) says: "[In Denmark]... there is in every class from 9th to 12th grade 2 girls who are in a violent relationship. If you are one of the men who use violence, or a girl exposed to violence, then seek help." A pause followed by a call for the viewer to share the game on facebook, twitter, and etc. the spread the message.
One has to realize that the objective of this game is first and foremost to get people, especially young men between 15 and 19 to talk about the taboo topic of domestic violence. This campaign has already achieved this, and it has done so by daring to be different than existing campaigns.
Campaigns seeking to alter behavior or draw attention to a specific point in public service is very often ridiculed, as young men in Denmark are being fed with such throughout their youth, seemingly with little to none effect.
But why does this problem even exist, why is it that there are women and girls out there, who are getting abused, not by muggers or other criminal strangers, but by men with whom they are in a relationship, when the objective of relationships is to be in love? I think it has to do with jalousy, and jalousy is a very strange emotion, different and stronger in many ways than other emotions. Firstly jalousy is onset by an outside source, secondly jalousy is a very strong emotion that can very easily and very quickly turn into uncontrollable anger, and thirdly then jalousy is, like many other emotions, beyond our free will; One simply can't choose to not feel jalous, if that's what one feels. Violence against women then occurs when jalousy turns into anger, but it doesn't have to. All of us, I think, will at some point in our lives feel jalous, and luckily we can use our free will to choose, what we want to do with the jalousy, so if you find yourself feeling jalous, here's what you should do (this is directed towards men):
1. Try to shrug it off.
In most cases your girl friend was just having a little fun.
2. Okay guys, I know this sounds girly and everything, but it is just how it is! Talk about it. Tell your girlfriend that her behavior has made you jalous, then the ball is in her court. If then her responce is to start shouting "you have no right to feel jalous", you should attempt to explain to her, how you have no free will over what you feel in this regard, and if she can't understand this, and stays angry, then shrug it off, or find a new girl friend. Fortunately many girl friends will see the affection in you, which causes you to feel jalous, even if she doesn't see it at first. Think about it, you are feeling jalous because she means something to you, and girls are great at spotting that type of thing.
3. If you are not mentally capable of shrugging it off, and you can't talk about it with her, and you suddenly find yourself having hit her, then it's time to seek fucking help!
Remember, our free will is what makes us human, and it is what enables us to make choices, but it's not an absolute ability by no means! You are simply not capable of choosing to feel happy, you have to earn and pursuit happiness. Likewise you cannot choose not to feel jalous, when you feel it! So I suggest you learn to accept this, and then to you ladies, remember that most of what men do, they are doing for you at some point, so cut us some slag, if we act like jerks every now and then, but do no allow men to stay abusive. If he has hit you once, then the only thing that can keep him from doing it again is some sort of professional help. Get out of abusive relationships, and if you see friends or relatives, who are being abused in a relationship, it is okay to point it out.
The girls walks into the screen, where she announces that she has bad "the best night". Then a pause.
"Of course I have danced with someone!" Anoter pause.
"You have no right to determine with whom I can and can't dance"
Then a male voise which has this, uhm, sort of "gangster" dialect, the origins of which I can't make out, and it says: "Oops, it would appear as if you have no control over your *****, a few slaps ought to help"
Then the game begins, and you choose the control either by your mouse or webcam.
Before and during the first slaps, the girl says the following sentences in a seemingly random pattern:
"Why would I have slept with your best friend, he's just as ugly as you!"
"Only your IQ is smaller than your penis"
"If I desire to go out with Maria, then that's what I will do, it's my life"
This next one is not easily translateable, so I'll just paraphrase: You suck so much that it's difficult to believe.
Again, impossible to translate, but a word play between being drunk and having an erection.
"What part of 'Fuck off' don't you understand.
As the "pussy-gansgster" parameter reaches about 40 %, the girl says new statements:
"Perhaps you have been beaten up as a child, but don't take it out on me."
"You are weak, get that in to your head!"
"You have always appeared as a loser, but now your behavior has removed all doubt."
"Is that really the hardest you can hit?"
"The only instance in which you feel manly, is when you have sex with me, whilst I'm screaming 'NO!'"
"You call me an ugly **** in front of your friends, but what does that make you? The one who can get only ugly
cunts?"
"WHAT THE HELL IS THE MATTER WITH YOU!!?"
When the aforementioned parameter reaches around 70 %, we again hear new messages:
"Is that all you've got?"
("crybaby" may not be an accurate translation, but it was all I could find in the dictionary)
"You weak little crybaby, you really think that you are the only capable of hitting, do you really?"
"You ridiculous little man, fuck you!"
"Are you stupid or something? A 'NO!' is a 'NO!'"
"Do you feel strong now?"
"You say to me that if I really love you, I will do what? NO! If YOU really love ME, you will not make me do things, I don't want to do."
When the parameter approaches 100 %, the girl will say all of the abovementioned things, but obviously in a different recording, as the actress is more injured at this point.
Once the parameter reaches 100 %, the girl falls, and the male voice comes back and says: "You are an idiot. It's not 'ganster' to hit women, you made yourself a pussy and an idiot the very moment you raised your hand the first time. There exists no excuses for using violence, none! So seek help before it's too late."After this a female voice (perhaps the voice of the actress?) says: "[In Denmark]... there is in every class from 9th to 12th grade 2 girls who are in a violent relationship. If you are one of the men who use violence, or a girl exposed to violence, then seek help." A pause followed by a call for the viewer to share the game on facebook, twitter, and etc. the spread the message.
One has to realize that the objective of this game is first and foremost to get people, especially young men between 15 and 19 to talk about the taboo topic of domestic violence. This campaign has already achieved this, and it has done so by daring to be different than existing campaigns.
Campaigns seeking to alter behavior or draw attention to a specific point in public service is very often ridiculed, as young men in Denmark are being fed with such throughout their youth, seemingly with little to none effect.
But why does this problem even exist, why is it that there are women and girls out there, who are getting abused, not by muggers or other criminal strangers, but by men with whom they are in a relationship, when the objective of relationships is to be in love? I think it has to do with jalousy, and jalousy is a very strange emotion, different and stronger in many ways than other emotions. Firstly jalousy is onset by an outside source, secondly jalousy is a very strong emotion that can very easily and very quickly turn into uncontrollable anger, and thirdly then jalousy is, like many other emotions, beyond our free will; One simply can't choose to not feel jalous, if that's what one feels. Violence against women then occurs when jalousy turns into anger, but it doesn't have to. All of us, I think, will at some point in our lives feel jalous, and luckily we can use our free will to choose, what we want to do with the jalousy, so if you find yourself feeling jalous, here's what you should do (this is directed towards men):
1. Try to shrug it off.
In most cases your girl friend was just having a little fun.
2. Okay guys, I know this sounds girly and everything, but it is just how it is! Talk about it. Tell your girlfriend that her behavior has made you jalous, then the ball is in her court. If then her responce is to start shouting "you have no right to feel jalous", you should attempt to explain to her, how you have no free will over what you feel in this regard, and if she can't understand this, and stays angry, then shrug it off, or find a new girl friend. Fortunately many girl friends will see the affection in you, which causes you to feel jalous, even if she doesn't see it at first. Think about it, you are feeling jalous because she means something to you, and girls are great at spotting that type of thing.
3. If you are not mentally capable of shrugging it off, and you can't talk about it with her, and you suddenly find yourself having hit her, then it's time to seek fucking help!
Remember, our free will is what makes us human, and it is what enables us to make choices, but it's not an absolute ability by no means! You are simply not capable of choosing to feel happy, you have to earn and pursuit happiness. Likewise you cannot choose not to feel jalous, when you feel it! So I suggest you learn to accept this, and then to you ladies, remember that most of what men do, they are doing for you at some point, so cut us some slag, if we act like jerks every now and then, but do no allow men to stay abusive. If he has hit you once, then the only thing that can keep him from doing it again is some sort of professional help. Get out of abusive relationships, and if you see friends or relatives, who are being abused in a relationship, it is okay to point it out.