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[mavs]

Disclaimer: I think that statue is pretty damn gross

Query: Exactly why is it ok to get outraged about the statue and not the game when you literally spend half your time in the damn game chopping up women in bikinis?

I mean, if your stance is consistent and you find the game too repulsive to play due to half naked zombie women (and men) or whatever, great, but if you're objecting to the statue and not the game, that's a strange double standard to me.

Context. You're not putting screenshots of the game up on your wall to immortalize the moment.

Another side is that zombies were at one point supposed to be a horror trope, less than an action trope. So this game is already a bit different from, say ZombiU to begin with.

 

[antitrop]

EDIT: Nevermind, not worth the effort.

 

[Remachinate]

I don't believe there's any cultural barriers keeping women out. I believe its the field itself. Videogames are 90% about programming, 10% about the rest. Is culture keeping women out of majoring in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering?

I'm not sure what you're implying the alternative is if not cultural factors. Hopefully not lack of ability.

Though I've seen women in every major studio. Are you implying women didn't work on Dead Island? Want to post the credits?

When did I imply that? I don't doubt there is a female presence at many studios, if small.

I had to break this to you dude, but you're the only one is even seeing any sexual objects. You're the one who ignited the whole shallow, baseless charade. You would have had a point though if this was a sex object..I mean a literal sex toy like a blow up doll or..a dildo. But this is no where close. Entirely different context, and your perspective on looking at this thing is entirely screwed up to begin with.

I'm not the only or first person to see the issue this way in this thread; there have been a number of people who posted as much, as early as #13.

As said above, depends on the context. In this case, it would just serve as a memorabilia of a videogame.

Collectors gonna collect, I guess, even if some items are in poor taste.

Data was hard, conclusion was not and they admitted that in their study, saying more was clearly needed to prove anything.

I'm not sure if you understand how studies work, but one can't positively prove anything via the scientific method, only provide statistically significant evidence, which is what the study did.

Actions isn't an independent entity, its driven by values. One is inherent, which drives the exterior (action).

One's values may influence one's actions, but one doesn't act on a single value in a vacuum. One's hypothetical predisposition to violence would be offset by one's value of not being in jail, for example.

 

[Visualante2]

Just what I thought, and posted a while ago. It's somewhat the same with the old European ads of Sony. They didn't raise that many eyebrows here in Europe, but from time to time they are mentioned on Gaf as something distasteful and freakish.

Off topic but do you have the "there is another side" one of these? Same style of photography. I think it was on the back of manuals for a while but I haven't been able to find it.

 

[semiconscious]

Does this smell like cheap PR to anyone else?

Announce it, it blows up on the internet, apologize and cancel it. The game has huge mindshare and the torso didn't even have to actually exist in the first place.

It's just too ridiculous to think somebody actually though this was a good idea.

not bad . & these are the same guys who fabricated that 'out of left field' video their first game. i'm seeing a 'shock marketing' pattern here...

 

[oconnomiyaki]

New Zealand is a British colony.

What's New Zealand got to do with this?

 

[saunderez]

I'm not sure what you're implying the alternative is if not cultural factors. Hopefully not lack of ability.

How about lack of interest? Nobody made the 3 females in my Computer Science classes join up, they did so because they had an interest. There was never anything stopping more than those 3 females from signing up.

 

[antitrop]

not bad . & these are the same guys who fabricated that 'out of left field' video their first game. i'm seeing a 'shock marketing' pattern here...

I think the original Dead Island trailer was just a Bob Ross-style "happy accident".

 

[J-Tier]

not bad . & these are the same guys who fabricated that 'out of left field' video their first game. i'm seeing a 'shock marketing' pattern here...

This is likely the case. (With the CE)

Pretty much set up to attract bloggers and various other media everywhere.

 

[kliklik]

How about lack of interest? Nobody made the 3 females in my Computer Science classes join up, they did so because they had an interest. There was never anything stopping more than those 3 females from signing up.

Stereotype threat.

 

[EloquentM]

I'm so confused by this. I think it's awesome especially if you're a fan of zombie media of any kind.

 

[legacyzero]

What can I say? Ya gotta be edgy sometimes to get the buyers attention? Is is tasteless? Sure. Could it have been done different? Probably.

Does it look gruesome and cool?? It sure does.

 

[Fusebox]

Lol, puritans.

Omg breasts! Keep your sex out of my violence.

 

[Melchiah]

Off topic but do you have the "there is another side" one of these? Same style of photography. I think it was on the back of manuals for a while but I haven't been able to find it.

Unfortunately no. I'd be interested in seeing it myself.

 

[saunderez]

Stereotype threat.

Doesn't that apply to everyone taking Computer Science classes?

 

[Rubius]

What's New Zealand got to do with this?

Dead Island is a New Guinea located game. Which was a british colony, like the rest of Oceania.
Except for the cannibals tribes around there, pretty much the rest was british.

 

[kliklik]

Doesn't that apply to everyone taking Computer Science classes?

Um, how? Did you read it?

 

[antitrop]

Lol, puritans.

Omg breasts! Keep your sex out of my violence.

The only thing I'm offended at now is being labeled as a puritan because I think the statue is unnecessary and in poor taste.

 

[oconnomiyaki]

Dead Island is a New Guinea located game. Which is a british colony.

I still don't see what that has to do with New Zealand...

 

[Fusebox]

The only thing I'm offended at now is being labeled as a puritan because I think the statue is unnecessary and in poor taste.

The game is unnecessary and in poor taste. The statue is appropriate.

 

[params7]

I'm pretty sure the next time an entertainment signs off on bloodied, sexualized, limbless torso as a marketing tool, there will be an equally negative reaction to it, sure.

Even if the entertainment itself deals with the context of bloodied, limbless, sexualized content? Dude where the fuck where you when Dead Island released as the game itself?

When you woke up this morning, did you envision yourself taking to the internet to stand up for the rights of a gaming company to sell statues of disfigured women as means to drum up interest in their video game? Did you brush your teeth, look into your own eyes in the mirror, and say "Man, I hope to GOD I get to play devil's advocate in an argument over whether or not really rich game developers have the right to include in their collector's edition a vinyl statue of a dismembered woman rocking some choice fake tittays."

And then you spit into the sink, wiped your mouth on a towel, nodded, turned out the light, sat down in front of your laptop, fired up GAF, and HOLY SHIT, IS TODAY YOUR DAY OR WHAT!?!

You're trying too hard.

 

[EloquentM]

The only thing I'm offended at now is being labeled as a puritan because I think the statue is unnecessary and in poor taste.

Have you played or seen any zombie games/movies in the past 20 years?

 

[Resilient]

The only thing I'm offended at now is being labeled as a puritan because I think the statue is unnecessary and in poor taste.

Don't you see, we're all fucking idiots for not enjoying these bloody tits!

 

[daycru]

The only thing I'm offended at now is being labeled as a puritan because I think the statue is unnecessary and in poor taste.

It's a doodad that comes with a murder simulator where you decapitate zombies, no shit it's in poor taste. Hence why it's appropriate.

 

[LiK]

i don't think it should be pulled even if it's not my thing. maybe they should make it a special order LE on their site or something. Let the fans who want it get it.

 

[lowrider007]

Seems to do what it is intended to do imo, use gore and sex in a quirky manner to sell a violent video game, as a British person I really don't see what all the fuss is about tbh, it's just a tacky statue, I can't say I agree with it but then I don't agree with a vast majority of the common sexual objectification of either gender in the industry but I have to accept it's pretty normal and it often works, things will change in time.

 

[stktt]

It's a doodad that comes with a murder simulator where you decapitate zombies, no shit it's in poor taste. Hence why it's appropriate.

.

 

[Fusebox]

Don't you see, we're all fucking idiots for not enjoying these bloody tits!

No, but you're a "fucking idiot" if you inferred that from my post.

There's a big difference between enjoying something and not being offended by something. The disproportionate reaction to the fact the statue has breasts compared to the fact the statue is a victim of violence is a result of a historically puritanical society.

 

[Tzeentch]

Here's the real question: if they use a different statue what the hell does a company do with hundreds or even thousands of crappy dismembered fake titty statues? What can they be repurposed into? Nightlights? Table legs? Lamps?

 

[Bobby Roberts]

Even if the entertainment itself deals with the context of bloodied, limbless, sexualized content? Dude where the fuck where you when Dead Island released as the game itself?

If the game consisted of you putting in the disc, hitting the start button, and then staring at a still image of a bloodied, dismembered corpse rocking fake tits and a bikini? It'd be a clean comparison.

You're trying too hard.

Not in the slightest.

Here's the real question: if they use a different statue what the hell does a company do with hundreds or even thousands of crappy dismembered fake titty statues? What can they be repurposed into? Nightlights? Table legs? Lamps?

A prop for the gritty reboot of A Christmas Story, directed by Michael Bay. At some point in the movie, a semi truck carrying these things will explode after a car full of drug dealers flies into it.

 

[antitrop]

Have you played or seen any zombie games/movies in the past 20 years?

Ya, but when I purchased the ticket to see Resident Evil they didn't give me a mutilated statue of Milla Jovovich's breasts to take into the theater with me.

 

[Rubius]

I still don't see what that has to do with New Zealand...

I got the wrong country,mainly because of Path of Exile, but still.

 

[Victrix]

Yeah I don't think I can join the internet pitchfork mob on this one.

Americans glorify gratuitous violence on a regular basis, the slightest hint of sexuality causes people to freak the fuck out.

Would people be saying anything if it was a diced up male torso? Doubt it. Maybe a passing 'that's icky, eww'.

I do firmly agree that anything that contributes to women feeling objectified or uncomfortable around games, which are already a goddamn sausage fest of developers and players is a bad thing, but that objection aside? Meh. Shock advertising at worst.

 

[CitizenCope]

What are they sorry about? What the hell!

 

[antitrop]

Would people be saying anything if it was a diced up male torso? Doubt it. Maybe a passing 'that's icky, eww'.

What if it was a sexually objectified male torso? I bet they fucking would.

What if it was a guy's crotch area with the legs hacked off at the thighs and an enormous penis bulge visible through the bathing suit?

 

[Nokagi]

It's a doodad that comes with a murder simulator where you decapitate zombies, no shit it's in poor taste. Hence why it's appropriate.

So we are agreeing with Fox News that video games are murder simulators now? Well that's a new one.

 

[Fusebox]

Yeah I don't think I can join the internet pitchfork mob on this one.

Americans glorify gratuitous violence on a regular basis, the slightest hint of sexuality causes people to freak the fuck out.

So true. It's the great American paradox.

 

[oconnomiyaki]

I got the wrong country,mainly because of Path of Exile, but still.

Yeah, so there's a Union Jack on our flag and we are a Commonwealth country. But we certainly aren't British and -- even though it's not set here -- there's would be no logic in claiming Kiwis would be likely to wear a Union Jack bikini -- especially not just because of who founded the country. I'd imagine the same applies to New Guinea.

 

[Rubius]

What if it was a sexually objectified male torso? I bet they fucking would.

What if it was a guy's crotch area with the legs hacked off at the thighs and an enormous penis bulge visible through the bathing suit?

A male torso is objectified as much as a female torso I would say. Sure people are freaking out about those fat blobs on the chest, but if the torso was a cutted one with trained biceps, dont you think it would be as objectified as a torso of a female

 

[dyergram]

They need to change it to a mans torso otherwise it's bad!

 

[EloquentM]

Ya, but when I purchased the ticket to see Resident Evil they didn't give me a mutilated statue of Milla Jovovich's breasts to take into the theater with me.

They were a limited release print, I'm sorry.

Spoiler

im pretty sure there were dead tits in RE2 movie or that night just be dawn of the dead.

 

[daycru]

So we are now agreeing with Fox News that video games are murder simulators now? Well that's a new one.

I didn't call "video games" anything.

 

[Uno Venova]

Pulled? oh what the fuck guys, now I can't order it anymore.

 

[params7]

If the game consisted of you putting in the disc, hitting the start button, and then staring at a still image of a bloodied, dismembered corpse rocking fake tits and a bikini? It'd be a clean comparison.

Are..you trying to change the definition of media memorabillia? Or are you upset that Deep Silver can't physically represent the 20 hours of videogameplay in the physical form somehow, and they're just stick with subset of individual characters from their game to model?

Not in the slightest.

Well I hoped so. You seemed to put way too much time in it.

 

[Bony Manifesto]

What if it was a sexually objectified male torso? I bet they fucking would.

What if it was a guy's crotch area with the legs hacked off at the thighs and an enormous penis bulge visible through the bathing suit?

See, that just sounds hilarious to me. Just like those severed penises from the Resident Evil 6 launch event that someone posted earlier. Not sure why that is - I guess male sex organs are just more comedic by their nature...

 

[antitrop]

See, that just sounds hilarious to me. Just like those severed penises from the Resident Evil 6 launch event that someone posted earlier. Not sure why that is - I guess male sex organs are just more comedic by their nature...

And so you perpetuate the double standard.

 

[Nokagi]

I didn't call "video games" anything.

Ah okay. Dead Island is not a video game. Got it.

 

[diamount]

Surprise this is coming from a German dev. They would be having a heart attack if this was on for sale and clearly visible in stores.

 

[Broder Salsa]

That is great, would buy if only I liked the game. Surprised so many are outraged.

 

[Victrix]

So we are agreeing with Fox News that video games are murder simulators now? Well that's a new one.

Most of them are? Unless you're seriously arguing that violence isn't the primary language we use to interact with videogames.

It's not an offensive statement - CoD is a murder simulator, I have digitally slain thousands of digital players with millions of digital bullets.

Conflict is part of human history and human nature, to ignore that is to ignore who and what we are, but to attempt to defend videogames from an accurate label, however biased is pointless. (Even Settlers, a most innocuous of series has military conflict in it - its a rarity in games that something isn't dying. Mario is a goomba murderer!)

Content and context matter far more - is your 6 year old son playing CoD online while racial epithets are being slung at him? Or is it me unwinding late at night with a bunch of adult friends in a private party while we digitally murder some fools?

Which is a large part of the reason I can't get too upset about this (again, beyond the gender issue, which is something that bothers me about games more, but is a much bigger societal issue, and so not something I routinely waste words on in a gaming forum )