I'm not sure how many folks will swarm in and comment about the subject matter, though I'd like to see that since the border patrol post got over a hundred comments. But before the floodgates open, I'd like to talk a bit of theory irrespective of the content, even though the content is very important.

The nature of challenge in videogames is, I think, central to the way we experience the game, and sadly the orientation of challenge so far has been to set-up for a dopamine pay off when that challenge is bested, what Nicole Lazzaro calls "Hard Fun". There are many other types of "fun", which I would argue, include things that aren't so much fun as engaging in the realms of being mystifying, encouraging, reflective, and provacative. SCMRPG falls into the latter. I think that we need to explore other types of reaction in general, and that a major design shift to this effect is moving from designing puzzles to designing rhizomes.

My only complaints about SCMRPG's design is that it uses puzzles, like sneaking down the hall into the cafeteria, or finding the copy of Ecce Homo to later give to Nietzche in hell, actually distract from the sort of challenge you're talking about Ian, a challenge to the user's sense of moral and social identity. Challenging social reasoning (and moral/ethical reasoning, which stems from the social) requires a form of design largely untapped in games as of yet, the creation of unsolvable realities that must be negotiated rather than conquered, what Janet Murray calls Rhizomes. We're seeing baby steps toward an understanding of rhizomatic design as a tool to representing and simualting social dynamics, Facade is one Storytron is another, but for the large part the tradition of game design that SCMRPG homages, pastiches and satirezes is one of puzzle design, with all the implications of an optimal solution to be found rationally. This is not what SCMRPG's macroGame message is all about, which the KFMDM lyrics at the end of the game make quite explicit: the problem cannot be made to go away.

SCMRPG is actually quite similar to Shadow of the Collosus in this sense, in that they use puzzles as the "meat" of the local agency to drive the player through a framework with social and personal implications. They're both games that imply really bold sentiments about being human, but which haven't made the jump to having the moment to moment interaction reflect directly on the overall aesthetic. I look foward to the day when games employ rhizomatic design in both the macro and micro game, and really challenge who-we-are, rather than our rational deduction skills.

Brian at Kotaku just posted an interview about the game with Columbine survivor Richard Castaldo, who was paralyzed from the chest down by Harris and Klebold.

Brian Crecente of Kotaku has written an article about the game in The Rocky Mountain News, including some quotes from the game's creator, Columbine survivors and families, and me.

The AP has picked up portions of the Rocky story. Which mostly means that a lot more people will be looking at it. It will be interesting to see how the responses change, or if they do.

The link on the game's website does not work. It doesn't seem as though it is because of over traffic, did they get pressured into getting rid of it???

Hey, Ian, Gamepolitics is reporting that L. Brent Bozell III, the head of the Parents Television Council (or as I like to call it, the shadow arm of the FCC's indecency department), is calling for you to be fired from your day job because of your comments over Super Columbine RPG.

http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/lbbcolumns/2006/0518.asp

http://gamepolitics.livejournal.com/291190.html

I have composed a letter to the writer of the post at

http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/lbbcolumns/2006/0518.asp

I will be posting a link to it asap.

JS-I'd be interested in reading the letter you composed. I think everyone here would be... :-)

Alex: Yeah, I saw Bozell's article/rant. It's too bad he decided not to even try to contact me or interview me for his piece.

JS: Definitely would love to see that letter. Do post a link when you have it.

Ian, it is refreshing to view an objective perspective on this game. People are often too shocked by the subject matter to relay any honest criticism besides "ugh this is sick!". Your openness and fair view is a true testament to free speech and I have a great respect for you.

I can only hope to one day be a student to someone as reasonable as yourself.

Cheers,

Jay.

Thatｴs sick I mean how can people

make a game about 2 students who gona kill over 10 peoples.

And the other problem is that the rumors about Pc-games who makes people go crazy only because they played a game like this become day for they more

The press reported only by games

in those people other people shots the head of their necks.BUT dear press take a look on WORLD OF WARCRAFT i know someone who plays the whole day this (iｴm sorry)

FUCKING GAME.DO YOU WANA PLAY FOOTBALL?No Iｴm sorry i must play WORLD OF WARCRAFT"

Once I asked him why he is playing the whole time this game then he said to me when you only miss one day in the game you never ever will be so good how you are before

(iｴm sorry about my bad englisch)

but thank you that you read this

new youk

I was reading about the massacre and found out about this game. I couldn't believe it so I had to take a look. The more I read the more I liked the idea. Showing the tragedy through the eyes of the killers makes you feel more sympathetic towards them. I think SCMRPG is one of the most important games of all time because it showes that games can be used as a method of getting a point across, rather than to make money. When my mother saw what I was reading about she said " tsk, how horrible." She didn't even read about it. She just saw pictures. That is proof that the game's critics never played it, or didn't know the game's purpose.