STEWART DAVIDSON
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"The big issue for me is really down to whether a 2-3 hour film can do a games storyline justice, which generally I'd say isn't the case. Films are great for non stop action and hijinks (Inception/The Matrix), or for focussed stories covering a few individuals (The Reader/The Big Lebowski), but they really aren't the best format for anything in between, which is where most games tend to fall on the whole (lots of hijinks & lots of characters). A far better option would be to consider attempting to adapt a game franchise into a TV series or mini-series. 

 

If we consider Mass Effect, a 13 episode season with a 2 hour pilot would allow you to introduce (some of) the principal characters at the beginning, set up the universe as well as establish the big bad and set in place the overarching storyline (you could end the pilot at the attack on Eden Prime tbh). Whilst using the episodes between to develop the plot as well as bring in new characters (like Liara & Wrex). 

 

Sure it wouldn't be your (or probably mine) story, but it might not actually be that terrible as say a TV series (after all Mass Effect is kind of Star Trek inspired anyway).   "

Sunday, September 05, 2010
"Great read. Really enjoyed the game and personally hoping that the storyline continues. "
Friday, September 03, 2010
""The name "Chop Chop" appears to be a reference to a comic book character from the '40s and '50s. As you can see in the picture on the right  His image was that of a stereotypical Chinese caricature. It's insulting to for a game to take pride in killing a bunch of characters rewarding the player with a shout out to an offensive character."

 

I'll be honest, I think you're grasping with that one. The phrase 'Chop Chop' isn't exclusive to this character in any way shape or form. That he exists, is hardly proof positive that 2KCzech are deliberately referencing him, as you seem to have concluded in your article.  

 

Personally with period titles such as Mafia 2 I'd rather they try and be honest reflections of their time (regardless of how ugly and offensive that might be to modern sensibilities) rather than sanitised politically correct theme parks at the end of the day. I don't think it serves any good purpose to attempt to cotton wool the past in games, especially if we want the medium to be taken seriously by other media at the end of the day. If you consider some of the most critically acclaimed period dramas on TV over the last few years, Deadwood &  Mad Men. Both of those shows feature moments of vile racism and sexual discrimination, but wisely they leave it to the viewer to take on board what happens and draw their own conclusions rather than attempt to softball their audiences, or kowtow to modern attitudes, by sanitising them. 

 

Ultimately Mafia 2 is marketed as an adult game at the end of the day, and as such you have to accept that it's target audience expect to be treated like adults as well. I believe that it's misguided to make the jump that simply because a period game contains something we might deem offensive (but fail to make a commentary on it) that that the developers are necessarily promoting it.  "

Friday, September 03, 2010