08/17/2007

Nintendo DS "Homebrew" Game Openly Embraces Homophobia

Eyebrows in the gaming community are being raised after the release by an amateur developer of a "homebrew" game (meaning a game that is developed by consumers for gaming platforms that are not typically user-programmable) for the Nintendo DS. Developer Huntercool released the game RanAway 1.0, an avoidance game. The goal of the player? Avoid the gay people.

Reports DS Fanboy: "Here is the 'protagonist,' a jaundiced, wavy-mouthed boy trapped in a teal box. His genitals, to which we've applied a mosaic filter for the benefit of our younger readers, are exposed for reasons unexplained. A school of blocks swims around the screen, typifying the legions of square-shaped gay men that roam the streets. All of them, assumedly, are mesmerized by his five-pixel-long organ, unable to resist its draw. To advance, you must avoid the predatory boxes and keep your heterosexuality intact. Mere contact with the enemy, even for just a second, could suddenly condemn you to a life of effeminacy and corrupted morality. If you can outlast the timer, the game congratulates your agility: 'You safely avoided the gay mob. Good job.' Failing the task, however, brings up an image of two male characters from popular anime/manga Naruto, kissing, embarrassment on their faces. The bottom screen reads, 'You got hit by a gay person. Game Over.'"

Writes GayGamer.net, "Yes, the graphics are amateurish, and the gameplay would seem to be beyond basic, and it's likely created by a teenager with too much time on his hands and too much hate in his heart. But at the same time, it's worth noting the existence of this hateful little title. Right now the object of the game is simply to avoid the gay blobs. But what if Huntercool's next project is a game in which you not only avoid the gay blobs, but also kill them? At what point does this go from offensive to scary? The whole thing would be comical if it wasn't so sad and unfortunate. Sub-8-bit graphics aside, we have a "little boy" running away from gay men and their 'kiss of death.' Sigh. This is the world we live in, folks."

Homophobic homebrew on the DS [ds fanboy]
Homophobic Homebrew On The DS [gaygamer]

Posted 10:05 AM EST by Andy in News, Video Games | Permalink

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Comments

1. I don't get out of bed for anything less than 8 pixels, thanks.

   Posted by: Becks07 | Aug 17, 2007 10:23:09 AM

   
   

2. could gaygamer.net make a molehill into a mountain - geez... - talk about exaggeration.... homophobia exists? shocking....

   Posted by: yawn | Aug 17, 2007 10:29:47 AM

   
   

3. As I posted elsewhere:

   I've become very suspicious lately of obviously smart people using gays and lesbians to generate attention for themselves and their work. They deliberately create something in a way that is guaranteed to get people talking. Outrage makes it spread faster.

   I think it's wrong in either case, but I say again, there's nothing more satisfying to a too-clever teen-ager then to get people riled up over something stupidly fabricated...

   Posted by: BeeDee | Aug 17, 2007 10:44:02 AM

   
   

4. Researchers at the University of Georgia in a 1996 study found that most (white) homophobic men have repressed homosexual desires.

   Posted by: Casey | Aug 17, 2007 10:53:47 AM

   
   

5. DS fanboy's synopsis is hysterical. This game is too stupid to be taken serious.

   Posted by: Meeg | Aug 17, 2007 11:43:58 AM

   
   

6. I could have created a game with better graphics back in 88 on the old Apple II's lying around in the lab.

   Posted by: anon (gmail.com) | Aug 17, 2007 12:24:46 PM

   
   

7. Never underestimate the power of invention, my dears... This could go BIG TIME! After all, preoccupation with homosexuality is a hallmark amongst the youth of our country. DON'T BE SUCH A FAG, DUDE! resounds throughout the halls of learning throughout the land. Curiously tho, there are SOME gay people I'd prefer to avoid myself. Tres interessant, n'est-ce pas?

   Posted by: the queen | Aug 17, 2007 1:17:40 PM

   
   

8. Well, I think the game is stupid (obviously) and offensive.

   I do think it is funny that "we" talk about the slippery slope argument that politicians make in response to advancing gay rights... yet it is used here. "What's next?" - come on...

   Posted by: gabriel | Aug 17, 2007 2:55:29 PM

   
   

9. You guys totally missed the point. If you were offended, then good. Lulz score for the creator. If you weren't, even better. The game is a joke. It's not meant to be taken seriously. Drop the politically correct bullshit and deal with the fact that it's okay to joke about things like this. It's perfectly fine.

   Posted by: Codie | Aug 17, 2007 6:23:36 PM

   
   

10. I vote for the "too-clever teen looking for outrage" camp. If he were truly homophobic and a threat to the community, I doubt he would have used so neutral a term as "you got hit by a gay person" or "avoid the gay mob." I've never had a homophobe come at *me* so nicely.

    Posted by: Rafi | Aug 17, 2007 8:29:05 PM

    
    

11. Wow. Predatory homosexuality and contagion theory all in one!

    Posted by: Anonymous | Aug 17, 2007 11:51:27 PM

    
    

12. THIS GAME IS BORING I RECOMMEND "LESBIAN TENNIS" @ LESBIANTENNIS.COM EXPLICIT ACTS OF LESBIAN TENNIS

    Posted by: LESBIAN TENNIS | Aug 18, 2007 12:34:21 PM

    
    

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