Cortyn likes violence in games. But some titles tend to go overboard.
I wish you all a nice Wednesday afternoon! In the past few days, PAX East took place, and alongside some cool new trailers, there were also some presentations that prompted more thought and raised eyebrows. In my case, I’m referring to the trailer for Friday the 13th: The Game. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you can watch the trailer here. But beware, it’s brutal and not for the faint of heart:
In short: I found the trailer really bad.
I love violence. In pretty much all fictional works. Whether it’s a brutal “Game of Thrones” series where people are doused in molten gold, an Elf winter book where entire races are slaughtered, or a Witcher 3 game where torture, rape, and other atrocities are part of daily life. Violence makes all these worlds more vivid, exciting, and simply more interesting.
I certainly can’t speak for everyone here and unfortunately, I haven’t written a master’s thesis on violence studies, but I do think that the allure of violence can be explained quite easily. Violence and brutality are something forbidden. It’s something that society (for good reason) shuns, and that’s exactly what makes it attractive. Whether it’s gladiator fights in ancient Rome or boxing on television: violence is exciting because it’s primal, animalistic, and forbidden.
But still, I believe that violence is a narrative device that should be used with caution.
Perhaps that’s why I could never get excited about the “Mortal Kombat” series, while I enjoyed and persistently beat my friends in Dead or Alive.
When it comes to whether video games should be regarded as art, I always advocate for that. But just as a painter works with several colors to create a beautiful painting, a game should stand out for more than just pure violence. Because I can also call a completely red sheet of paper art, but no one would believe me.
I know that Friday the 13th has more to offer than violence. But the trailer didn’t convey that. The trailer forgot what makes a horror game: the horror. For me, the trailer was only repulsive. They wanted attention at any cost. They got that attention, but my interest in the game diminished.
What do you think about the topic of violence in video games, and especially in the trailer mentioned above? Are you looking forward to more brutal and merciless action, or do some go overboard? I’m curious about your opinions.
Last week, the topic was about add-ons and DLCs – are they just a cash grab?
