NeoGAF

Its. A. Video. Game.

Yes we have some serious political and social issues in Australia right now, but this is a video game based on a car and music festival.

I'm not Australian, but I totally see where's he driving at. The same could be said for games set in other countries, or even in specific time periods... or other medium.

On reflection, "Bart vs Australia" was a mid-tier episode at best

What? Nahhh

The game shouldn't be a political statement... why isn't this applied to every game set in America or any other country for that matter. What does politics have to do with the game?

What an awful way to mix video games and politics you could literally do the samething with any other country using a real world setting. But that doesnt happen cause straya cunts.

Originally Posted by L~A

I'm not Australian, but I totally see where's he driving at. The same could be said for games set in other countries, or even in specific time periods... or other medium.

7/10 not bad not bad

That article is going to get way more clicks than it deserves.

Don't forget about their domestic violence crisis. To be a woman in Australia is an unenviable role.

Originally Posted by sTiTcH AU

Its. A. Video. Game.

Yes we have some serious political and social issues in Australia right now, but this is a video game based on a car and music festival.

I mean, the writer says that.

The developers are in no way responsible for that making me feel uncomfortable. There are plenty of people who argue that you should leave politics out of games that aren't explicitly political, and the developers have done that, which is perfectly reasonable. But our own personal politics can't always simply be switched off, and I feel like Forza Horizon 3 is showing a better Australia than what we deserve.

As an Australian who is deeply ashamed of some of the current policies our government has or is trying to instate, this article is reaching. Its a game. About racing. Can we please just let some things stand alone without over analysing or attaching meaning to something that really doesn't warrant it.

Originally Posted by mocolostrocolos

First post win!

Quit bringing real life into video games. Thanks.

TLDR: "I can't enjoy Forza's really great depiction of the best bits of Australia because of a bad politician. We don't deserve this game."

I would totally dig driving through slums of Australian Cities

Originally Posted by sTiTcH AU

Its. A. Video. Game.

Yes we have some serious political and social issues in Australia right now, but this is a video game based on a car and music festival.

Doesn't he basically say that in the article?

I think he gets that's it's a video game. But he's also describing why he feels uncomfortable.

Pretty interesting article I thought.

Forza also depicts a world where cars never run out of gas, the roads never have pot holes, your breaks never wear down and you never need to change your oil. It's already a car lover's high fantasy, why shouldn't it also depict only the dreamiest highways and byways to drive on?

People should, actually, you know, read the article.

What a terrible article.

I agree.

Disappointed that there isnt a NPC throwing a shitload of eggs and food to the passing cars while screaming like a maniac.

They should call their podcast "The Grip".

Yeah nah.

Originally Posted by ?oe?oe

The game shouldn't be a political statement... why isn't this applied to every game set in America or any other country for that matter. What does politics have to do with the game?

Yep, bad article to make a political statement.

Mad Max for realism last year. Forza Horizon for fantasy this year. I don't see the problem.

Originally Posted by VeeP

Doesn't he basically say that in the article?

I think he gets that's it's a video game. But he's also describing why he feels uncomfortable.

Pretty interesting article I thought.

It isn't only that 'it's a video game', as video game could display real life problems in them.

It's that it's a 'racing video game'. So of course it's going to only show the visual aspect of a place, and not the political issues. It's so obvious that the article is a waste of time, that's the problem people is going to have with the article.

When I'm reading articles like these I'm reminded of the satire articles Rory wrote that were posted on Shawn Elliott's blog:

Nuclear Launch Detected
The Juche is Loose
By: Internationally renowned games journalist and pundit Kevin Beverage, PhD in Important Topic Contemplation, Harverd Correspondence College and Chiropractor

Like most gamers, the moment I heard about the tragic sinking of the Republic of Korea corvette Cheonan in the contested Yellow Sea, my heart went out to the bereaved survivors in the Blizzard financial department. I had an almost uncanny suspicion that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea—or North Korea, as we in the industry like to call it—was behind the attack. Such agitation could lead to war, and a war between North and South Korea threatens to take more lives in a week than fan death and LAN center brawls claim annually, and that can’t be good for Blizzard’s bottom line or the longevity of professional StarCraft. With that in mind, I cast a fretful gamer’s eye eastward, and think the unthinkable.

Though I’ve done no research on the topic, I think it’s safe to panic over the thought that of the 10,000-plus DPRK artillery batteries aimed at Seoul, several thousand are probably zeroed-in on any number of e-sports stadiums. And though I’m no expert on military ordinance, I also feel confident in asserting that a 150mm howitzer shell landing in the middle of a StarCraft tournament might be detrimental to even the most focused player’s clicks-per-minute. The damage done to the gaming reputations of Korea’s most famous competitors could be catastrophic. Some experts have put the potential number of Facebook friends lost by affected ‘Craft professionals in the tens of thousands, a staggering number just vague enough to inspire terror without warranting corroboration.

Should their reputations survive the shelling, the threat of compulsory military service looms large for displaced e-thletes. Or at least I’m guessing it does, I can’t really be bothered to look up the Republic of Korea’s stance on military drafting. Nevertheless, I assume that StarCraft experts will be in high demand due to their superhuman logistical prowess and micro skill. Though the possibility of losing an entire generation of ‘Craft experts to war is daunting, one can’t rule out the psyops (psychological operations) benefit to fielding a “gosu” corps of trained StarCraft strategists.

There is a silver lining to this menacing cloud of gaming despair. While the various e-sports stadiums in South Korea, being of immense strategic value, are undoubtedly targeted for immediate devastation by DPRK hardware, the numerous LAN centers scattered throughout the nation will be more difficult—if not impossible--to neutralize. The gaming idealist in me can’t help but choke up imagining the remnants of Korea’s professional StarCraft elite feverishly pounding away at hotkeys amidst the smoldering ruins of their former home cities, desperately seeking meaning for their shattered lives in the warm glow of a monitor screen. The movie rights alone ought to net a hefty sum, hopefully offsetting any financial losses from missed StarCraft 2 sales opportunities. But I’ll leave that for economists to ponder.

Reached for comment on this important man, a man whom I believe to be the Republic of Korea’s Electronic Gaming Commissioner said, through a translator: “Are you f***ing kidding me? Who is this? Don’t call this number again.”

What a weird article.

The only offensive thing about FH3 and the Australia setting is left lane driving and ANNA telling me to use "3rd exit in roundabout" when it would actually be the first exit if driving on the right side of the road. Goddammit.

I feel this author is incredibly bias. As an Australian I understand many of his frustrations but there is no denying that there is beauty in the country as well. In fact I'd argue that the problem stems from Australians rather than Australia and I suspect the game doesn't cover humans very much.

I also don't think it is just Australia that can evoke such feelings. Every country has their own problems and secrets. I honestly can't think of many games that strive to bring out the most shameful aspects of a country.

If the game evokes such an emotional response I think the experience is inherently biased. If anything the game should perhaps remind us that our country still has a nice side which we all fight to protect in different ways. It reads like the author is letting the bitterness of the state of some of our affairs affect his enjoyment of the game which is a shame.

How silly

Very insightful article, raised some valid concerns. Hopefully the devs take note. Maybe they can patch in a showcase event where you race around the solitary wing against that kid strapped into his wheelchair with a spit hood.

if articles like this are what Vice gaming is about, count me out.

Originally Posted by sTiTcH AU

Its. A. Video. Game.

</thread> These thought pieces that over analyze games need to understand that. Yes there's issues with AU politics right now (along with many other countries) those countries being featured in a video game aren't endorsing those ideas or any political pushes.

Originally Posted by ?oe?oe

The game shouldn't be a political statement... why isn't this applied to every game set in America or any other country for that matter. What does politics have to do with the game?

Exactly. If this is the best VICE Gaming's department can do, count me out.

I don't think anyone is trying to hang the game for not being an accurate representation of the country. The Horizon games take place in idealised world that romanticises car culture. A world where you're rewarded for taking you're gas guzzling Lamborghini (that has been air dropped by helicopter) off the road and into a farmer's field and then drifting through his crops.

Video game worlds should try and represent the real world more often but in a game who's narrative is basically "enjoy this dalliance of the rich", I think its fine.

Also, I am totally offended that Byron Bay in FH3 does not have a wickedweasel cross promo.

Politics. Ruining fun since stone age.

We all know fallout 4 was the realistic Aussie simulator , this is just the arcade version .

Seriously though every country has shitty politicians that ignore 80 percent of there voters wishes . Don't think I have ever played a video game and started thinking about that countries policies and government .

Reads like the writer wanted to write about Australian politics and used Forza 3 as an excuse to do it.

I mean, it's a racing game.

Originally Posted by ClivePwned

if articles like this are what Vice gaming is about, count me out.

Austin Walker has to look at every game from a political standpoint. With him in charge of Vice Gaming expect articles like this to be the norm.

I'd prefer politics to be kept out of a racing game.

Originally Posted by Lunar15

I don't think this article is criticizing the game as much as it's using the game as a spring board to discuss things about Australian politics outsiders otherwise would never know about.

Pretty much. It's definitely not a criticism of the game.
He's not asking for a politically fueled forza either.

Originally Posted by hollomat

Austin Walker has to look at every game from a political standpoint. With him in charge of Vice Gaming expect articles like this to be the norm.

Not really. Austin is very smart and a lot of times looks at the political or social side of games but in a well thought out way. This is just crappy writing.

This is honestly one of the dumbest articles I've ever read. I'm just scrolling through paragraph after paragraph of Australian political critique, with the odd Forza screenshot here and there. It almost seems like satire.

How about a Nauru Island expansion pack?

Maybe Forza Horizon 4 will be set in apartheid South Africa.