First off I'm glad too see this issue creating discussion somewhere. I'd like to address a few issues regarding the game "Super Columbine Massacre RPG".
Danny Ledonne, who I've come to speak to quite regularly since this new scapegoat was found, has numerous projects completely unrelated to this game, this game being one which he submitted at his own expense for no profit, as can be seen on the homepage of the game itself. Therefore the "profiting from tragedy" debate is a none starter.
Whilst talking about the influence of media on killings, one has to wonder whether finding a comfortable scapegoat for the school shooting "upsurge" is really the answer.
"This "game" would also explain the recent "long coat" killing a month or so ago, when a guy kills his father then goes after students at the high school."
"Hate Speech"? Played the game? what an informed oppinion one must have!
I personally, think this view is a little one dimensional to be honest, and raises the chicken and the egg conundrum, before this game came the shooting itself, which was blamed on video game Doom and controversial media whore Marilyn Manson, although when, on September 15th in 1959 when Paul Orgeron walked into Poe Elementary school detonating six sticks of dynamite concealed in his suitcase, killing himself and five other people, including his son, there was no video game to scapegoat, there was only the perpetrator and his interpretation of the world around him that was at fault.
In between then and 2004 when Danny released that game there were 20 High School massacres worldwide, increasing density and severity. One cannot say that a game about a previous school shooting was the soul inspiration for all school shootings after that, it would be the same as saying that chickens didn't know they could lay eggs until they saw a documentary in which a chicken laid an egg, a paradoxical concept that makes no sense.
One has to ask more importantly whether the "real criminals" here are the people who make none profit video games created to raise discussions out of they're own pocket, the people who name scapegoats after an extensive shock and awe coverage so you can forget about the issue once they've made your mind up for you, and cut to commercial, the idiots who don't know when to listen to that voice that says "THINK" as they walk into a room and end not only existence as they know it, but the same for others, or a mixture of more elements than that.
When Elephant, the Basketball Diaries and Zero Day hit the film market, were they “profiting off tragedy” too? Or are they acceptable mediums for profiting off tragedy, where as not even free video games can make you think about a subject without doing just that?
The Columbine Massacre wasn't inspired by bullying, The Dawson College shooting was, The game wasn't inspired by money, the Poe Massacre wasn't inspired by the media, but the media was inspired by the ratings, and the revenue the simple answers give them.
But, this is just my opinions, of course, if you want to scapegoat this game, then it would probably a good idea to play it first, otherwise you've not actually made your mind up about anything, you've just made a shock and awe decision, one that your meant to make, before we cut to commercial. After all, we perpetuate the problem by not talking about it, so that next time, there's more scapegoats, more ratings, more money to be made by those who feed you opinions.
Of course, I have my own view on this matter, as do millions of others, I find that the minority opinions seem to come from those who played the game, discussed and researched the game and it's maker, instead of falling for the shock and awe scapegoat trap once again.
Cut to commercial.
To discuss this issue with the maker of the game, or for people who want to delve deeper into this game and it's impact, along with actual possible motives, I recommend the free forums, no commercial interruptions, the right to talk openly in a dialogue, instead of following what the news anchor expects you to think.
They can be found here
The question is, do people who dismiss such a thing want to join the debate? Or Just skip to the scapegoat?
3, 2, 1, Action
Speaking of profiting off tragedy, did anyone play that new, ultra realistic [insert money making war game here] with blood and guts and.....you get the picture.