Topic: A few words on the Hatred controversy

[Intersection]

So here's what's apparently the second game in history to ever receive the AO rating for violence alone (after Rockstar's Mahunt 2). It generated an extensive internet controversy before release, and even made it to a few news outlets.

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Yes, those executions are about as violent as the game ever gets.

I don't want to sound like I'm condoning violence, but all I could think of after watching that trailer was: is that it? Sure, the game is pretty violent, but compared to everything else we've seen in the entertainment industry, it's like a drop in the ocean. Is throat-slitting and stabbing too much? Look to Mortal Kombat for inspiration. Is it because you're slaughtering policemen and innocent people? Well, there goes what's arguably most fun about Grand Theft Auto.

Of course, we can debate all we want about the social impact of violent gaming on society, but let's not go about setting double standards. Let's not act shocked every time we see something that's already been in our face for more than a decade. We can at least have that kind of decency.


And with all of the media buzz going on, no one noticed that they literally copied Doom's title layout. Heh.

[VladCT]

A little elaboration by TotalBiscuit on just how overblown it is:

[darkmanx_429]

Am I wrong to wanna play this...

[VladCT]

Eh, I suppose the only things wrong with the game are that it's on the meh side and that it tries so hard to be edgy that it's cringeworthy.

[Gunlord]

Yes, the game turned out to be quite tamer than anyone expected, and IMO much sillier as well. I don't want to spoil anyone, but who here has seen the ending cinematic? Not gonna lie, I LOL'd more than anything else. That said, the difference between this game and GTA is that GTA is fairly obviously quite satirical, while Hatred...well, if it is satire, its devs are playing along much more than GTA's.

[Ratty]

Yes, the game turned out to be quite tamer than anyone expected, and IMO much sillier as well. I don't want to spoil anyone, but who here has seen the ending cinematic? Not gonna lie, I LOL'd more than anything else. That said, the difference between this game and GTA is that GTA is fairly obviously quite satirical, while Hatred...well, if it is satire, its devs are playing along much more than GTA's.

It seems like an unofficial remake of Postal 1 to me. I'd rather just get that recent expansion pack for Postal 2, had a good bit of fun with Postal 2 a few weeks ago.

[Claimh Solais]

It's not just necessarily the blood and gore that caused the controversy, but a lot of it has to do with the innocent people. Like, the trailer shows a woman pleading with him, before he plants the gun in her mouth and pulls the trigger. It's some pretty brutal stuff.

That being said, I wanted to get the game just outta spite, but it seems like a decent twin-stick shooter, too. Unfortunately, my computer sucks so I can't run the game.

Also, the game got some pretty bad reviews.

P.S.: Not's voice sounds kinda forced. Kinda wish they got a voice more like Steve Blum's (not particularly the actor, but the sound of the voice would have been perfect).

get it, i called him Not, because his name is Not Important *ba-dum-dish*

[JR]

Eh, I suppose the only things wrong with the game are that it's on the meh side and that it tries so hard to be edgy that it's cringeworthy.

That's the vibe I've been getting from the whole thing.

Yes, the game turned out to be quite tamer than anyone expected, and IMO much sillier as well. I don't want to spoil anyone, but who here has seen the ending cinematic? Not gonna lie, I LOL'd more than anything else.

The only thing I've seen of the game is the original trailer, and I started laughing somewhere around, "I hate this world, and everything in it..." This game just seems like the perfect example of trying too hard.

I couldn't help but be amused at people who were trying to keep the game from being released, as well. I mean, look at how much press it got just on backlash alone. Who didn't see that coming? Why couldn't the critics of the game just be content in letting it fade away in its own mediocrity?

Not gonna lie, though...I wouldn't be opposed to buying the game out of pure spite. I just really don't like the idea of being told what I should play and how I should feel about certain games, characters, subject matters, etc. It's just so tiring to hear lately.

[theANdROId]

I vaguely recall an article or video about how some companies try to get negative PR on purpose because it's still PR and gets their name out...or something like that.  For the life of me though I don't have a clue where or when I saw that... or read it... whatever.

[Highwind Dragoon]

It was a game theory video.

[Inccubus]

It's also a factual documented business practice.

[Super Waffle]

This is the only thing I know about this game.

[PFG9000]

Looks pretty disgustingly brutal to me.  I can't see why anybody would want to play that, but that's just me.  That video is all I've seen of this game, but based on that I'd say it's totally deserving of an AO rating.  To be fair, I wouldn't have a problem with the recent GTAs or Mortal Kombat X getting an AO rating either.

[VladCT]

I guess if there's anything good about the game, it's that everyone is treated (read: hated) equally. :V

[beingthehero]

It's pretty much a playable Venom album. It's overwrought and angsty to the point of being comical, and that's apparently want the developers were going for - they're black metal fans themselves.

The game's okay, btw. I have it on Steam. It's fairly fun in short bursts.