Poll: Cultural progression: Desensitization

[viranimus]

Ok, got reminded of this game thanks to the "room" thread earlier this morning.

Back in 1999 when games like Mortal Kombat were still relevant, there was word that a game entitled "Thrill Kill" was set to be released.

Info:
[link]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrill_Kill[/link]

Footage:

The game was in essence completed but was never officially released citing it was excessively and needlessly violent and overtly sexualized and would be too much of a hotbed of controversy.

Now its been shown that as time progresses our sensibilities change, and we become desensitized to such things. However the question is how fast do we do it?

Would a game such as this if released today in a modern incarnation be met with the same trepidation, or would it be considered timid and weak in comparison to what has came since? Have we in just over 10 years really changed our ideology that much? If we have is this a good or bad thing?

 

[Withall]

I'm not exactly recoiling in horror (having almost finished the video), but I am chocked over the content of the game- I've never liked beat 'em us at all, but this game is an obvious pandering to the violent crowd- which I'm not part off. I'm glad I'm not, because this is tasteless.

 

[Arachon]

I really don't think it would cause much controversy, games like these has been around ever since, as you say, Mortal Kombat, probably even earlier.

Personally, I think the type of games are somewhat juvenile, trying to go "oh look, there's lots of blood, blood is cool", which might have an appeal when you're 10, but not when you're 19. So, I think that no matter when the game was released, then, or now, the reception would be mostly similar, generally, people don't mind extreme amounts of blood. Mortal Kombat caused controversy when it was released, by I think the desensitisation happened relatively quick.

 

[gamer_parent]

when we have games like manhunt becoming a financial success, this will seem pretty silly by comparison.

Don't get me wrong: the acts depicted here are all pretty senselessly violent and some I dare say are supposed to appeal to sensationalist depravity. But at it's core, it's not so much offensive as it is just puerile.