'Narc': New Video Game Draws Ire
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is angry at video game makers. So he's timed the promotion of his legislation that would ban the sales and rental of sexually explicit and violent video games to minors with the release of the new game "Narc."
"These kinds of games teach kids to do the very things that in real life, we put people in jail for,'' Blagojevich said during a news conference Monday at Glenview's Springman Middle School. "Just as we don't allow kids to buy pornography or alcohol or tobacco, we shouldn't allow them to buy these games.''
The governor and other legislative backers of the bill showed a taped promo for "Narc,'' an M-rated game that features various fictitious characters of the drug demimonde, including narcotics officers faced with its temptations. Midway, the Chicago-based maker of the game said its dark look was influenced by films such as "Traffic," "Training Day" and "Rush."
The game sounds like a law enforcement officer's wet dream--pure proselytizing from beginning to end.I wouldn't be surprised if there's an unethical defense lawyer at every court hearing. Dick Wolf must have been a consultant (no offense, Mr. Wolf, I know you're a true believer, just like me.)
The game, to be released today, has automatic weapons, gore and the fictitious officer Jack Forzenski, who spits out lines such as "You have the right to shut the hell up.''
Players can become "narcotics officers'' who arrest dealers and use confiscated dope to change the look and speed of "Narc'' to score more points. Pot slows the game; LSD changes the appearance of characters to better distinguish enemies and crack increases the damage players can inflict.
Why couldn't they make a well-rounded game? Why can't players become a defense attorney and score points when they get evidence suppressed because the cop lied? How about players choosing to be judges who score points when the case is thrown out for entrapment?
Anyway, the Governor's "Safe Games" legislation passed the Illinois House last week 91 - 19, but it may not survive a court challenge:
Similar moves in other states have been thrown out by courts as threats to freedom of speech, said Jason Della Rocca, executive director of the International Game Developers Association.
A spokesman for Chicago's Midway Games said "Narc'' is targeted toward the same adults who enjoy shows like "The Sopranos,'' "Deadwood'' and "C.S.I.''
Why not Law and Order fans? [link via Drug War Rant .]
| < Right and Left Join to Fight Patriot Act | Cartoonist Faces Jail in Greece Over Jesus Cartoon > |
