The 12 Most Controversial Video Games

When I first read this article, I was all, “more like the 12 video games I gotta have!” But, then I read closer and that was simply not the case. While some of these games are just mischievous, others are downright evil. Which, of course, is what makes people like them so much. Few things in life are as satisfying as coming home from a rough day and blasting a few undead zombies. And even if you relieve stress by beating up hookers and taking your money back, in the games, they all come back to life when you play it next, stopping your morals from being quite so irritating.

Anyway, here’s the list. Enjoy. Or don’t. That’s your choice as an adult. And yes, they’re all real.

1. Bully

Reason: Violence in a school setting.

Bully has caused controversy among parents and educators. Groups such as Bullying Online and Peaceaholics have criticized the game for glorifying or trivializing school bullying.

The game’s ending depends on how you, the player, pilot your 15-year old character, Jimmy, through his first year at the unfriendly Bullworth Academy prep school. If you choose to defend the geeks, they’ll have your back if you run afoul of the jocks. If you team up with the bullies, you might find yourself at a disadvantage with the preps.

2. Tomb Raider

Reason: Sexuality.

When Tomb Raider hit the games market, it did so with a good degree of corporate muscle behind it: indeed the game was launched as a significant part of the Sony Playstation offensive. The success of the game is arguably attributable to this synchronicity between new techniques, a highly immersive and involving game space and game narrative and the controversial (and opportunistic) use of a female lead. Lara is provided with a narrative past appropriate to her status as an adventurer and an aristocratic English accent – a greater degree of characterization than the norm. Certainly, fans and critics suggest that none of these factors alone can explain the world beating success of the first game and its many sequels. “Lara’s phenomenal success wasn’t just about a cracking adventure, other games had that too. Lara had something that hooked the gamers like nothing has before. At the center of Tomb Raider was a fantasy female figure.

3. Ethnic Cleansing

Reason: Extreme racism
Ethnic Cleansing (2002) is a controversial computer game developed by Resistance Records, an underground music label specializing in Neo-Nazi and white supremacist bands. In the game, the protagonist (the player can choose either a skinhead or a Klansman) runs through a ghetto killing black people and Latinos, before descending into a subway system to kill Jews. Finally he reaches the “Jewish Control Center”, where Ariel Sharon, former Prime Minister of Israel, is directing plans for world domination. The player must kill Sharon to win the game.

4. Muslim Massacre

Reason: Critics say the game of modern religious genocide contains a blatantly destructive message but there is little authorities can do about it.

Muslim Massacre: The Game of Modern Religious Genocide is a controversial 2008 amateur computer game by Something Awful forum member Eric Vaughn under the screen name “Sigvatr.”It is a top-down shoot ‘em up video game. The aim of the game is to kill all Muslims that appear on the screen.

5. Resident Evil 5

Reason: Resident Evil 5′s 2007 E3 trailer was questioned for its depiction of a white protagonist killing black enemies in a small African village. Newsweek editor N’Gai Croal began the criticism, stating, “There was a lot of imagery in that trailer that dovetailed with classic racist imagery.” He acknowledged that only the preview had been released.

6. Six Days in Fallujah

Reason: The game was opposed by both the public and critics alike for “Glamorizing” and “Glossing over” the real-life massacre at Fallujah. This caused the former publisher, Konami, to oppose the game and stop publishing it.

Six Days in Fallujah is a third-person shooter video game described by the developer, Atomic Games, as a survival horror game. It is the first game to focus directly on Operation Iraqi Freedom, mainly the Second Battle of Fallujah or Operation Phantom Fury. The game follows a squad of U.S. Marines from 3rd Battalion 1st Marines over the span of six days. The premise of the game has been the subject of controversy; questions have been raised as to its appropriateness, especially given the fact that the true event the game is based upon was so recent. It was originally to be published by Konami. On April 28, 2009, a spokesman confirmed to the Associated Press that Konami was no longer publishing the game.

7. Left 4 Dead 2

Reason: The cover art in the UK had to be altered due to a potentially offensive hand gesture being depicted. The game was banned in Australia for its excessive violence and gore. The game’s New Orleans setting so soon after Hurricane Katrina was considered “a bad call”. Finally, Left 4 Dead 2 was accused of being racist after incorporating black infected into the game, Valve quickly stated this was only for population diversification purposes.

8. State of Emergency

Reason: Military-style violence including political assassinations and coup d’etats. Additionally, the game caused controversy in Washington due to the game’s similarities to the World Trade Organization riots in Seattle.

State of Emergency is a controversial 2002 action-adventure video game released by Rockstar Games. It was developed by Scottish firm VIS Entertainment for the PlayStation 2, Xbox and Microsoft Windows. Hip Hop artists D-Stroy and Jean Grae provided voices for State of Emergency characters.

The game was supposed to cause considerable controversy for the level of military style violence and its coup d’etats styled, grass-roots ‘urban political revolution’ subject matter, featuring political assassinations of Orwellian, corrupt government executives. It faced accusations of being a “hooligan simulator” and calls from numerous groups, most notably from a number of tabloids and ‘concerned parents watch-dog’ groups in the USA & UK to be banned. It received an “M-18″ certificate, for amongst other things, the use of vicariously simulated military firearms.

Additionally, the game was denounced by Washington state politicians for its similarity to the real-life 1999 World Trade Organization riots and protests in Seattle which caused $3 million in damages. The game features the fictional “American Trade Organization” as the antagonistic establishment.

9. Silent Hill

Reason: for graphic violence and very disturbing imagery.

In 1999 Konami released the original Silent Hill on the PSX. From the outset the game caused a lot of controversy with its dark, deeply disturbing psychological gameplay and horrific visual effects. This was a game with a twisted storyline unlike any other survival horror release that was on the market at the time. Cut scenes showed disembowelled bodies hanging crucified from stakes and weird, tortured unearthly creatures that could have come straight out of a Clive Barker novel.

10. Grand Theft Auto IV

Reason: Sexuality and extreme violence. GTA IV was referred to as a “terrorist simulator” due to Liberty City being an exact replica of an American city. This is the reason why the plane is not available.

Grand Theft Auto (GTA) is a video game series created by Scottish game programmer Dave Jones, then later by English brothers Dan Houser and Sam Houser, and game designer Zachary Clarke and primarily developed by Rockstar North (formerly DMA Design) and published by Rockstar Games.

The gameplay consists of a mixture of action, adventure, driving, and occasional role-playing, stealth and racing elements and has gained controversy for its adult nature and violent themes. The series focuses around many different protagonists who attempt to rise through the ranks of the criminal underworld, although their motives for doing so vary in each game. The antagonists are commonly characters who have betrayed the protagonist or their organization, or who have the most impact impeding their progress.

11. Mass Effect

Reason: Falsely accused by evangelical blogger Kevin McCullough of containing rape and sodomy, as well as by Fox News host Martha MacCallum of including “full graphic sex”. In actuality, the game’s most explicit content is an indirect shot of a humanoid alien breast.

12. Death Race (1976 game)

Reason: Rejected by the public and denounced in the press due to the sound effect issued by enemies who are driven over, coupled with a grave marker which rises where they were killed.

Death Race is a controversial arcade game, released by Exidy in 1976. While not the first violent video game to appear, it was the first video game to inspire a great deal of protest and controversy in the United States.

In the game, designed by Howell Ivy and inspired by the 1975 cult film Death Race 2000 by Paul Bartel, one or two players control an on-screen car (two cars if two players played) with a steering wheel and an acceleration pedal. The object was to run down “gremlins” who were fleeing the vehicle. As the player hit them, they would scream or squeal and be replaced on-screen by tombstones. This increased the challenge of the game as the screen cluttered up and the player had to avoid the tombstones.

The controversy increased the game’s sales, causing another product run, but the game inspired so many protests—including the first-ever organized protests over a video game, led by Ronnie Lamm—that in the end only about 500 units were made. There were even stories about the stand-up consoles being dragged into parking lots and burned by protesters.
by Nora Vega @ oddee.com

I’m sure this transvestite sounds great in other interviews. I’m sure she just had a cold or something. Als0, I don’t speak a word of Portuguese, even though it’s apparently a romance language like Spanish, but I’m pretty sure she’s saying the same things over and over to each question.

“Who are you wearing this evening?”
“Boing boing.”
“What inspired you to be a superstar?”
“Uh, boing boing, and boing. Oh! And, boing boing.”

Don’t get me wrong; be whoever you want to be.  I’m all for the freedom of personal expression.

But.

If you’re going to do an interview on television, just maybe wait until your oestrogen, progesterone, or your ethinyloestradiol or whatever vocal chord scraping you’re having done as started working. Just an idea. Also, maybe learn to speak the language you’re being interviewed in.

Or have C3-PO translate for you while you say the same things over and over.
“…Because he’s holding a thermal detonator!”

I’m a big fan of people hurting themselves. Especially stupid people. And the best way for a stupid person to hurt themselves is to faceplant. It’s almost like proof of Darwinian evolution. Dumbasses simply hurt (and kill) themselves more often than smart people.

I’ve compiled a collection of videos that should bring a smile to the lips of anyone in favor of thinning the herd.

Enjoy.

10. The Stunt Faceplant

Excluding skateboards, this faceplant counts whenever anyone is on bicycles, skis, snowboards, rollerblades–anything man wasn’t meant to call a ‘vehicle.’ (Skateboards are different.) AND, building your own ramp out of mud isn’t necessarily a bad idea, but maybe build it closer to the lake.

9. The Martial Arts Expert Faceplant

Almost like the weightlifting faceplant, the martial arts faceplant always makes one wonder, “why were you filming yourself?”

8. The Drunken Faceplant

Look out for the dog!…Look out for the Coronado Stone!…Look out for the disk golf net!…Oh, and if you’re gonna drink, maybe don’t ride your bike.

7. The Party Trickster Faceplant

This actually combines two of my favorite faceplant genres: trampolines and the party trickster. Ever been at a party and had someone call for quiet while they performed a trick that turned into an injury (or at the very least turned out to not be as cool as all the hype suggested)? I have. But it’s never turned into a faceplant. That usually happens on the trampoline all by itself.

6. The Trampoline Faceplant

Not exactly a faceplant, but just close enough. Some people only have the discipline to practice things that will never get them anywhere in real life.

5. The Pool Faceplant

If only there were more drowning deaths from faceplants…caught on film. (He actually didn’t die, but keep giving your teens camcorders.)

4. The Fat-plant

Like the little Asian man in “The Hangover” says, some things are just funnier when people are fat.

3. The Baby Faceplant

Nothing’s cuter than underdeveloped motor skills. Until somebody faceplants.

2. The Skateboard Faceplant

Whenever I see kids skateboarding, I try to see if they’re filming themselves. Because if they are, someone is definitely going to faceplant. What did this kid think was supposed to happen? And does he have a rubber spine?

1. The Karmic Faceplant

Although rarely seen in the wild, this beautiful creature will sometimes appear when one least expects it, but at exactly the right time.

It all started with Tequila

In 1982, a candy company in California called HOTLIX produced a Tequila-flavored lolli-pop with a real worm inside. Larry Peterman is the brains behind these ‘hot licks,’ and even though he’s 70 now, the candy ideas are still plaguing him. (get it? plague?)

I think ol’ Larry may be getting a little bit senile. According to the company’s website, the chocolate covered scorpions are totally safe to eat once the scorpions are dead. When they die, the poison deactivates (puh-shaw), but they cut off the stingers “just in case.” That’s good too because there’s nothing worse than when I’m eating a dead scorpion and I get that stinger caught in the back of my throat. I start coughing and drinking my Sprite, but everyone else in the movie theater wishes I would shut up or excuse myself to the restroom.

You should see the other stuff this company makes. Go on. I’ll wait. There’s jalapeño flavored candy. JALA-FREAKIN-PEÑO! That’s not candy to me. When I was a kid, candy was a treat that tasted better than anything you had to eat all day, maybe all month. I don’t recall ever being so hungry that I payed to eat an apple covered in worms. That sounds like third-world-country cuisine right there. When you get tired of eating dirt. Someone gives me a jalapeño candy for Halloween? Their house gets egged.

images property of Barcroft Media, via telegraph.co.uk

What I think is most interesting to note in the video above, is that almost no one seems to care. Someone gets on their phone, all, “Yeah, I’m on the 6 Train. Oh, nothing much. There’s a dude cuddling a chicken. Let’s do Chinese for dinner tonight.” Because knowing Chinatown’s the only place in New York where you could get a live chicken. It’s not like Chick-fil-A gets live chickens shipped to them in coops; the last one always running around at the back of the truck…

And I love how at about 1:00 there’s a guy who runs into the car as the doors are closing and almost steps on the dude’s head. You know he picked the wrong car then. Seeing a dude molest a live chicken on your commute is sort of a wrap on the day. You need to go home and call your mom.