Friday, August 21, 2009

Should gay gamers boycott Shadow Complex?

Should gay gamers boycott Shadow Complex? That was the question posed by one NeoGAFfer yesterday. What prompted the query? Well, the Xbox Live Arcade title is based on Orson Scott Card's sci-fi novel, Empire, and Card, according to the NeoGAFfer in question, "is a notorious homophobe."

Twenty-four hours and hundreds of comments later, NeoGAFfers are still discussing the subject--as are visitors to GayGamer.net and Gamasutra.com, both of which have posted op-ed pieces devoted to the controversy.

"When Shadow Complex was announced, I personally was torn," shares Gamasutra's Christian Nutt. "I'd already long since made the conscious decision to not support Orson Scott Card directly with my money." On the other hand, he also "would like nothing more than to play a new game developed in the vein of some of my personal favorites--Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Super Metroid."

GayGamer.net's Dawdle was similarly torn by the situation, though he did offer up a solution. "I think if you're obviously too disgusted to enjoy the game, avoid it and speak out," he writes. "However, if you want to play the game, play it... but offset the hate: If you buy Shadow Complex, donate $5, $10, $15--if you can spare it--to a gay charity."

In addition, "in message boards or user reviews, in blogs or tweets, if it comes up, let people know exactly what Card has said on the matter and where--and damn him with his own language."

3 comments:

sydneyc said...

Congrats on being named to the LGF's list of 100 best LGBT blogs - just saw it (I know I am behind on the times but I'm new to the scene!) - still how awesome! Kate & I have a lot to learn from you :) Keep it up and keep it real ...
-Syd
www.lezzbuzz.com

Bryan Ochalla said...

Hello, Syd, and thanks for commenting! Actually, I didn't know this blog had been named to the LGF list until you told me, so thanks for that, too. Other than that, good luck to you on your site!

dfghj said...

Shadow complex is a great game. To be honest it doesn't matter if gay gamers boycott it. There are still many people who play the game.