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[mescalineeyes]

The Line's lead designer Cory Davis was speaking to Polygon in some sort of post-mortem article about the game and this rubbed me the wrong way:

"The multiplayer game's tone is entirely different, the game mechanics were raped to make it happen, and it was a waste of money. No one is playing it, and I don't even feel like it's part of the overall package — it's another game rammed onto the disk like a cancerous growth, threatening to destroy the best things about the experience that the team at Yager put their heart and souls into creating."

Is it just me or is this really poorly worded?
Rape and cancer are things that actually scar/kill actual people.

 

[xenist]

Eh, there's something to be said about trivializing such bad things and I certainly can't speak about rape. But as someone who has lost family members to cancer and had my mother's 12 month "all clear" two months ago I couldn't give a fuck about cancer being used in such a way.

 

[Cartman86]

This will not go well, but for what it's worth yeah it's a stupid thing to say. Mark on 8-4 says it ocassionally too and I flinch whenever I hear it. I used to say it as well, so I don't hate people who still do. I understand what they mean, but that doesn't really excuse it. It's just a little childish and thoughtless.

 

[XANDER CAGE]

The cancer analogy seems like a fair, if vitriolic way to describe unnecessary multiplayer. Rape sorta pushes it into "ok guys yeah I get it but really, video games" territory.

 

[Twinduct]

Poorly worded. Both the thread title and the dribble Cory sprouts.

 

[mescalineeyes]

Poorly worded. Both the thread title and the dribble Cory sprouts.

I agree on the thread title, I didn't know how many characters I had. :/

 

[Wolves Evolve]

What he says is very interesting, actually. His wording is not twitter-or-PR-friendly, and he should self-edit if he wants his interviews to go over well and be seamless representing his opinions. (Don't bother saying something about self-censorship - seriously.)

 

[Twinduct]

I agree on the thread title, I didn't know how many characters I had. :/

Tbh, well mostly the rape part heh =)
It just looked like something Kotaku would post, in terms of grabbing attention. I even checked the source to make sure it wasnt Kotaku lol

 

[Tomat]

The thread title barely even describes what he said. Using the term rape is an extreme example, but it also tells me exactly what he wants me to know. They were forced to build a multiplayer component that goes against what the game is about. The cancer example also makes sense. Sure he could have worded it better but people shouldn't read too much into it either.

Spec Ops is not a game you play for the multiplayer. The story is the meat of the game.

 

[jambo]

So we can't use the term "cancerous" to describe something now?

For fucks sake people!

 

[Mr_Appleby]

the cancer thing is fine. the word rape i wouldn't mind if it stopped getting thrown around so much. there are plenty of other words that probably are also better semantically to describe the situation. buuuut because it's such a powerful word, people will want to use it.

 

[scitek]

The Line's lead designer Cory Davis was speaking to Polygon in some sort of post-mortem article about the game and this rubbed me the wrong way:

"The multiplayer game's tone is entirely different, the game mechanics were raped to make it happen, and it was a waste of money. No one is playing it, and I don't even feel like it's part of the overall package — it's another game rammed onto the disk like a cancerous growth, threatening to destroy the best things about the experience that the team at Yager put their heart and souls into creating."

Is it just me or is this really poorly worded?
Rape and cancer are things that actually scar/kill actual people.

Well, technically, saying "like a cancer" or something along those lines is not related to the disease (though here he clearly did). The rape stuff is pretty insensitive, though. I used to say that all the time, too.

 

[rdrr gnr]

You can't use the word cancerous to describe something? Fucking Christ.

Also, the thread title is some sensationalist bullshit.

 

[mescalineeyes]

So we can't use the term "cancerous" to describe something now?

For fucks sake people!

but why would we be referencing a disease that has affected so many when talking about the MULTIPLAYER MODE OF A VIDEO GAME?

 

[Gustav]

Well, looks like he won't work with 2K ever again.

 

[rdrr gnr]

but why would we be referencing a disease that has affected so many when talking about the MULTIPLAYER MODE OF A VIDEO GAME?

You can't be serious.

 

[PSYGN]

The rape part is immature talk, but cancerous as a descriptive word is fine.

 

[mescalineeyes]

You can't be serious.

I am sorry, I am. It hit very close to home for me.

 

[fabricated backlash]

the cancer thing is fine. the word rape i wouldn't mind if it stopped getting thrown around so much. there are plenty of other words that probably are also better semantically to describe the situation. buuuut because it's such a powerful word, people will want to use it.

If you create any work of fiction that you hold dear and be proud of, just to see an external force pervert this work to repurpose it for financial gains, I guess the visual image of rape is what comes to mind first. A big brutish force that interferes with the most basic principles of your creation/your creative process to force his will onto you.

I think the use of "raped" in his analogy works, allthough it might be a bit inconsiderate.

 

[Jintor]

The rape part is immature talk, but cancerous as a descriptive word is fine.

Yeah, I'd agree with that sentiment.

 

[XANDER CAGE]

but why would we be referencing a disease that has affected so many when talking about the MULTIPLAYER MODE OF A VIDEO GAME?

Because it's kind of a fitting analogy? I dunno, why do we say games were "killed" when they get canned or canceled?

The rape comment is a bit much (I'm not offended, but it's not a great example of self-editing) but referring to something as cancer - a scientific/medical anomaly - is a bit different from a rape analogy, which implies cruel intent and identifies an aggressor and victim.

I've lost a couple of family members to cancer and I dunno, it's a strong word but it really doesn't bother me one iota in this context.

 

[The M.O.B]

Seems accurate.

It's A typical gamer talk, hear it all the time online. Doesn't mean it's right, but i'm not offended or disgusted by it.

"I JUST GOT RAPED BY THAT MOB OF TROLLS BRO"

"DUDE THIS NEWB IS A CANCER ON THIS TEAM, GET RID OF HIM".

Two ways you can go about it.

 

[The Cartographer]

Are you seriously discussing about something like this?

Wow

 

[Ken]

Knowing nothing about Spec-Ops' MP, I was expecting something much different from the thread title.

 

[Striek]

Jeez, must there be a crusade about everything?

Context, context, context. Read the quote and would've expected praise for the unexpected and surprising candidness beneath it, instead of a hilarious crusade.

 

[Perkel]

I don't see any point stopping people using rape or cancer aids in language for other reasons than naming diffrent things.

It's like killing in video games. You don't actually kill people.

 

[mescalineeyes]

Are you seriously discussing about something like this?

Wow

Well you won't be for long, Junior.

Because it's kind of a fitting analogy? I dunno, why do we say games were "killed" when they get canned or canceled?

The rape comment is a bit much (I'm not offended, but it's not a great example of self-editing) but referring to something as cancer - a scientific/medical anomaly - is a bit different from a rape analogy, which implies cruel intent and identifies an aggressor and victim.

I've lost a couple of family members to cancer and I dunno, it's a strong word but it really doesn't bother me one iota in this context.

Hm, well then maybe it IS just me. As I said, fresh wound. Maybe I am just being overly sensitive. Still doesn't change my feelings on it.

Keep in mind, I am not a native speaker, but a "cancerous growth" for me nothing else than "cancer". I am also not a doctor.

Knowing nothing about Spec-Ops' MP, I was expecting something much different from the thread title.

I am sorry, I messed up on that big time.
If a mod could clean it up to "Spec-Ops: The Line's gameplay designer equates Multiplayer mode's creation to a cancerous growth and rape" or whatever seems appropriate I'd be thankful.

 

[Dabanton]

Just say it's shit or crap and we'll get what you mean.

I cringe when I see the word 'rape' thrown around as it's use as it's always disgustingly crass especially when used by gamers and pop culture morons as a throwaway comment

"(insert name here) just raped my entire childhood"

 

[CecilRousso]

Was waiting for a thread about the subject of tacked on multiplayer on this, but if this thread is just going to be about the words he choosed, then I´m out.

 

[Shamdeo]

By the context of the selection, I don't think he's making light of rape or cancer.

 

[rdrr gnr]

I am sorry, I am. It hit very close to home for me.

I'm sure it did -- as it does for many people. But that's not really how words work and describing some perceived negative (and growing) phenomenon as "cancerous" is common. It may be a more powerful trigger for you than others -- but that's what language is in most cases: subjective.

 

[DSGamer]

Yeah. Cancer is technically not disease as much as it is a state of malfunctioning cellular growth that destroys healthy cells. This using it as a metaphor is not only apt in many cases, but it's not intended to make light of big C Cancer. Lighten up, folks.

I could do without "rape" being used, however.

 

[TaroYamada]

Was waiting for a thread about the subject of tacked on multiplayer on this, but if this thread is just going to be about the words he choosed, then I´m out.

Agreed, seems like gaf is more about vocabulary and semantics than gaming sometimes.

 

[mescalineeyes]

Agreed, seems like gaf is more about vocabulary and semantics than gaming sometimes.

No, GAF isn't, I was upset so I made the thread. Don't hivemind this.

 

[Margalis]

Overuse of the word "rape" is a cancer in gaming!

 

[daviyoung]

Outrage isn't ctrl+f'ing some keywords and seeing if they appear.

 

[Lancehead]

"Cancerous growth" is apt. "Raped" is just inarticulate.

 

[exYle]

Hm, well then maybe it IS just me. As I said, fresh wound. Maybe I am just being overly sensitive. Still doesn't change my feelings on it.

Keep in mind, I am not a native speaker, but a "cancerous growth" for me nothing else than "cancer". I am also not a doctor.

Essentially, an unnecessary and inevitably destructive or hindering growth on a (potentially) perfectly healthy organism. The analogy works well.

 

[SuperEpicMan]

I think whilst rape may get the point across, there are maybe more efficient words he could have used. But anyway, people should learn not to over analyse comments made here and there when they are taken out of context and typed up on website.

Many things that everyone say could maybe sound offensive or distasteful when you are reading them in text form, opposed to hearing it first person, when there is also their tone of voice and emotion conveyed in what they are saying.

 

[mescalineeyes]

Essentially, an unnecessary and inevitably destructive or hindering growth on a (potentially) perfectly healthy organism. The analogy works well.

considering the business realities of the industry, it might be the other way around; that single-player can only exist because it's the multiplayer that sells the game, keeps people interested and sells the DLC.

 

[Hanmik]

Are you seriously discussing about something like this?

Wow

Well you won't be for long, Junior.
l.

wtf..? what is so wrong with his comment that you had to post a "junior" comment..? even one that suggests that his comment would get him banned..?

 

[Tomat]

considering the business realities of the industry, it might be the other way around; that single-player can only exist because it's the multiplayer that sells the game, keeps people interested and sells the DLC.

Not in the case of Spec Ops. Nobody, and I meant NOBODY bought this game for the multiplayer.

 

[Aaron]

I hate when people use the word 'triage' when referring to solving non-medical problems. I feel these word rapists are a cancer on our language.

 

[mescalineeyes]

wtf..? what is so wrong with his comment that you had to post a "junior" comment..? even one that suggests that his comment would get him banned..?

"If you don't want to discuss something, you don't need to post."

Not in the case of Spec Ops. Nobody, and I meant NOBODY bought this game for the multiplayer.

But did anyone buy it for the single-player? I don't think it did that well on the strength of the single-player either.

 

[Dead Man]

Not speaking to the use of rape, but cancer as an analogy for a shitty spreading situation bothers me not one bit. Lost 3 family members to cancer.

 

[Rei_Toei]

I'm so glad most of you guys don't speak Dutch. We're world champions abusing the word cancer. Probably because it sounds so deliciously violent in Dutch.

 

[SuperEpicMan]

Slightly off topic, but if the next generation consoles impose anti used game technology, does anybody think that would result in greater freedom for developers to do what they want without things like multiplayer being forced upon their games.

 

[Jintor]

But did anyone buy it for the single-player? I don't think it did that well on the strength of the single-player either.

It probably didn't set the world on fire, but honestly, it should have. Spec Ops' singleplayer is genuinely interesting.

 

[mescalineeyes]

Slightly off topic, but if the next generation consoles impose anti used game technology, does anybody think that would result in greater freedom for developers to do what they want without things like multiplayer being forced upon their games.

that's not off-topic at all!

And I think tacking on multiplayer is basically our boxed-game model being on its last legs, the future is F2P, wether we want it or not. Especially with mutliplayer games. No need to tack them on anymore?

 

[BrokenEchelon]

He used extreme wording to define his extreme displeasure with the multiplayer.

And the world will live to see another sunrise while some people will continue to get offended at everything.