The Gun Game...

[Broken_Hero]

I found this game today, while trying to see if there was a Superman Returns game, and seeing what the critics thought of the Superman Returns game, and I came across this one...

http://www.gamergod.com/article.php?article_id=3563

Its a game called GUN. My wife and I are Native Americans, and fight for native american goals, and it amazes us, how the stereotypes abound. I know, mods, that this is more slanted towards the Native American Board, but I wanted to see what GD thought of it. If you move the thread, i understand...

[Kutjara]

1. Gun came out late last year...

...and takes a pretty stereotypical attitude to the Old West. 'Injuns' are bad, gunslingers are heros, everyone else is fodder. As such, it is guilty of all the same prejudices and bigotries that plagued the Western movie genre in the past (and, arguably, still does). America is still deeply conflicted about its Westward expansion, veering between arch sentimentality and genocidal xenophobia. Gun is very much in this vein, with emphasis on the conflicted loner (anti)hero who is so introverted and inarticulate that he can only communicate with bullets.

It misrepresents much about the West, but that's what people pay to see. If you ain't having a shootout with the Sheriff or shooting Indians off their horses, what's the point of playing?

[Broken_Hero]

2. I never

heard of this game before, until today, I was amazed when I was reading the review. I'm not much a gamer myself, I just get the ones that I know i like, like madden, and tekken games primarily, and Devil May Cry stuff. I was just astounded, that a game like this is out there...whew.

[Kutjara]

3. I think the problem with 'Gun'...

...is that it is a bit too 'knowing.' The creator obviously wanted to create a 'gritty' Western with elements of Sergio Leone and some of Clint Eastwood's later stuff. The moral ambiguity of the main character is clear but, inevitably, secondary characters and, particularly, enemies are pretty black and white. I think Gun's creators were indulging, at least partly, in irony, but I'd be surprised if most of the target audience will get it.

[Broken_Hero]

6. They could have made

the game, without so much stereotypes...the scalping of the apaches, for points, and the outrageous violence there in. I have no issue with them killing indians, its a part of our countries history, but do it tastefully, and don't revel in the act of scalping indians, and all of that bullshit. Scalping wasn't even a american indian practice, it origniated from european roots. I would have no issue with the game, if it was more accurate, and didn't reveal in the scalping, and other inaccuracies.

And the notion, of the main character being part indian, to make his prior violence seem acceptable, is a joke. The article was a weird read to say the least.

They could have done the game, a bit better, and still have a decent game probably. I haven't played it, but there are a few things, that they could have done, to avoid PAINTING a huge bullseye on thier chest for native american groups to aim at...they could have avoided a lot of bad press, if they consulted a competant amerian indian, or american indian scholar....

[Kutjara]

7. Everything you say is valid...

...but, of course, no publicity is bad publicity. As the furore over Grand Theft Auto has shown, uproar equals sales. The more we say that the game is wrong, the more people will buy it. If you write an article saying that the game misrepresents Native Americans by depicting them scalping (as you say, a practice originated by French bounty hunters, who were paid 'per scalp'), all the kids who buy the game will think is 'Cool! I get to scalp people! Wicked!!'

[Broken_Hero]

11. yeah, true, true...

there is no such thing as bad publicity, as far as this game goes, or any other games...

[bemildred]

4. Have you ever seen GTA Vice City?

Many video games are racist, violent and juvenile. It is a good thing that the whole Cowboy schtick is out of fashion or you would see a lot more of this. In answer to your question, I think it sucks, bad, but the lawsuit against the DOI is a lot more important, and holding the FBI and BIA accountable is a lot more important, and getting Peltier released is a lot more important.

Just my 2c.

[Broken_Hero]

5. I agree, partly...

There are other things more important yes, true, but its still a MAJOR issue. Just like, the Iraq War is an issue, but does it trump all the other issues? In my mind, NO. The identity of the american indians have been crushed, blenderized, and flushed down the proverbial toilet many times. How can american indians even get recognition of issues, if everyone thinks of them as savage, morons? I see the same issue with GTA and other games, and i'm sure groups were up in arms about it too, but it was still an issue with them, and continues to be so, when black/drug dealers and other races, are being so outrageously potrayed.

I know, you said its bad, and all of that, and I agree whole heartedly with that, but to say, that there are more pressing issues, than identity, i say, no, thats not entirely accurate. I believe our ameican indian identity is the third, if not second highest issue with American Indians. Indentity, and fighting for a voice, is so damn hard.

Imagine if this game was about Gays getting massacred, or christians or jews...this game, probably, would never hit the shelf. Yet, American Indians are suppose to take a pass? I know, you said

"In answer to your question, I think it sucks, bad, "

I just find, an issue with your staement saying that there are more important things to deal with, and that this should take a back seat to other problems. There are a good number of other issues that plague native americans, aka Gale Norton trial, tribal rights, eduction, and poverty issues, but why can't we focus on them all, instead of fighting for one cause at a time? It's like telling someone, that the immigration issue is BS, or the NSA spying issue is not important, because the Iraq War issue is more important, and they should focus on iraq war, and nothing else...why can't we focus on more than one issue at a time?

I'm not trying to start a fight, I'm just saying, hey pal, we, as in American Indians can multi task...:)

[bemildred]

8. Well. OK.

It's not that I disagree, exactly. I'm white, so I can't really lecture you anyway, at least not about this. But I have found that I have to respect my limits, or it's bad for me. And I'm not saying I would not write a nasty letter or two over the game. And I do think (if it were me) that if I could get my rights respected and my treaties honored and the assholes in BIA out of my life, I'd be willing to let the game die the quiet death that it will die anyway, and I'd spend some time with my family instead, that is an important task too. But if you have the energy, by all means give them some shit, I'm with you all the way, I'll march in your parade. :hi:

[bemildred]

9. Here, see what I mean:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2288959

How sick is that? I mean there is no respect for anyone. This one isn't racist like Gun, but that's about all you can say.

[Broken_Hero]

10. damn...

I never knew about this game...like i said, i don't keep up on new games at all, really....I agree with your assessment, it is sick....:( Nice talking with you...:)

[Broken_Hero]

12. I agree...:)

But, I like fighting for a few things...as do a lot of other people on DU, I'm assuming...:) This is just one of the things, that...I admit, is a hyperbole, issue, that upsets me. Its a forehead slapper for me, and as always, my forehead gets slapped, when I see games, or other blantant offensive/brutal depictions of native americans. I feel the same way with other groups as well, and please, don't let the color of you skin, keep you from speaking your mind, ever...:) I don[t care if you are a jamicaian voodoo god, I like all opinions, and view points...I'm here to learn, and to educate/inform others, thats why i'm here!...:) And, nice talking with you, also...:) cheers! :toast:

[bemildred]

13. Likewise. See you around.

:toast: