July 1, 2008

July 4 = OCTO-MAC DAY

July 4 (not 24) marks the one year anniversary of the first construction and consumption of an OCTO-MAC.


I decree that all loyal BDPE listeners (and hosts) shall go to McDonald's on July 4 and order an OCTO-MAC, or, barring that, order four Big Macs and construct the OCTO-MAC manually. You shall then have pictures taken of yourself eating it. Post them in the forums or e-mail them to feedback@bestdamnpodcastever.com for your share of the glory.

LET IT BE KNOWN.

June 23, 2008

Episode 41: Gaki-Gate


After a break, the guys (Minus Fic) are back. This time they talk about Guitar Hero 4 nonsense, MGS4 sales and the story telling skills of the Japanese, and BLAKE craps on Monster Hunger. Then the discussion moves to Itagaki leaving Tecmo in true Itagaki fashion in the inagural edition of "GAKI GATE". Puzo family sues Paramount for money over the crap (Despite what BLAKE says, the game is butt) Godfather game. They also discuss whether Spore will suck or not.

Releases: Battlefield: Bad Company, Alone in the Dark, Guitar Hero On Tour, Operation Darkness

Judgement: Devil May Cry 4

Jank: Gamestop's Game Day Sales, lots of games on sale

Quote: "....Oh, this one's got a little jiggle thing on it, put your finger in there and wiggle it around..."

And don't forget, that BLAKEBUCK hates us all....

If you have any feedback, you can shoot an email here, call the voicemail at 845-BATTLE-9, or leave your thoughts in the forums here.

VOTE AT PODCAST ALLEY!

June 13, 2008

BDPE DRUNKAZT: Episode 1?


Since it's been so long since we've had a proper show, Miller and I (sorry, Fic is at WWDC) thought we should make up for it with not only a new show tomorrow afternoon, but a LIVE DRUNKCAZT tomorrow night.

The DRUNKCAZT will be tomorrow night (6-13) from 6-9PM central US time (though this could change - keep an eye on the posts below).

You can find all the information about listening live at http://www.bestdamnpodcastever.com/live

We'll also be fielding any questions or comments you guys have in the forums, so put your heat up.

THE SHOW WILL BE THIS FRIDAY, JULY FRIDAY THE 13th AT 6-9PM CENTRAL

Listen to the show as it's recorded Live! In addition, you can participate in our Live! chat by joining the room "bdpelive" (no quotes) on any AOL Instant Messenger program. Also, if you've got something to say, you can call in by dialing 845-BATTLE-9 on any phone, or contact our Skype name "bestdamnpodcastever" (no quotes).

Just click the "LISTEN LIVE!" button on the right to download the streaming file (lisen.pls), and double-click to open in iTunes (or other audio app) and listen in Live!

Let us know what you think, and get your heat in ASAP.

May 20, 2008

Interview: UWE


In a special interview with King Boll, Uwe talks with the guys about:

How he got in to making films, Being f*cked over by Atari, Boll bashing and beating the hell out of his critics, Michael Bay, His dream production, Metal Gear Solid the movie, Grand Theft Auto movie, Postal breaking down religious and political walls, Video game journalism, Video game movies other than his, His fears as a director, The anti-Boll petition, and Uwe Boll: The Game.

Quote: "...I'm always happy to find somebody that's thinks he's not the Antichrist or something..."

A very special thanks goes to Wazoo for getting this setup.

Go here for the Pro-Boll petition

If you have any feedback, you can shoot an email here, call the voicemail at 845-BATTLE-9, or leave your thoughts in the forums here.

VOTE AT PODCAST ALLEY!

May 15, 2008

Filler Show Episode 1

This is the BDPE Filler Show, designed to keep you semi-entertained during the long waits for actually good shows. The less-than-stellar hosts are Lucas (editor of the BDPE), Mic (BATTLE failure veteran), and Ryan (totally unconnected to the BDPE).

In this week's episode, we discuss whatever the hell we can think of to fill time. And I bet you it'll be the same in next week's episode.

Send us hate mail at filler@bestdamnpodcastever.com or call our listener line at oh wait we don't have one.

And don't let us change your minds about voting for the BDPE on Podcast Alley. The real show is actually good, don't worry.

May 6, 2008

Episode 40: BLAKE BUCK Went Down to Georgia


This week on The Best Damn Podcast Ever: Big Daddy K is not happy about Metal Gear Solid 4 eating all dem CPUs, Charlie Daniels is pissed with Guitar Hero 3, Uwe Boll continues to ROCK FACE, and Blake is pissed that Myst Uru is shut down. The guys also (Sort of) announce the winner of the "Xbox Live Vision Cam Contest".

Releases: GTAIV (360, PS3), Mario Kart (Wii), Iron Man (Multi Platform), SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1 (PSP, PS2), Great War Nations: The Spartans (PC)

Judgement: Orcs and Elves (DS) and Professor Layton and the Curious Village (DS)

Jank: "Still Alive" (Rock Band), Some Halo 3 Nonsense (360), and Lost: Via Domus

Quote: "...William Miller lube up your hand and beat them nerds off hard
'Cos hells broke loose in Georgia and BLAKE BUCK’s made of lard...."

If you have any feedback, you can shoot an email here, call the voicemail at 845-BATTLE-9, or leave your thoughts in the forums here.

VOTE AT PODCAST ALLEY!

May 4, 2008

Video: Butterfield's Restaurant


"We've got two locations - one next to Huddle House and one next to Krystals. It's just butter!"

If you have any feedback, you can shoot us an email here, call our voicemail at 845-BATTLE-9, or leave your thoughts in our forums here.

VOTE FOR US AT PODCAST ALLEY! DBZ GOKU!

April 21, 2008

Video: Terry's Turbo Towel


Is drying off after a shower taking too much time? Try Terry's new Teriffic Turbo Towel!

If you have any feedback, you can shoot us an email here, call our voicemail at 845-BATTLE-9, or leave your thoughts in our forums here.

VOTE FOR US AT PODCAST ALLEY! DBZ GOKU!

March 16, 2008

Episode 38: GODKILLER

You will learn.

Judgment: Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii)
Jank: Rez HD (XBLA) and Tax Free Tuesday (Star Package Liquor Store)
Quote: "It took me about 30 seconds to become an iPhone Douche."

GODKILLER: http://www.deproductive.com/godkiller

BLACK NERD COMEDY: http://www.blacknerdcomedy.com/

VOTE FOR US AT PODCAST ALLEY! DBZ GOKU!

Visit tbdpe.com for links to vote and donate.

March 9, 2008

Fic's Picks #2: Super Smash Bros. Brawl

brawl.png

Well, Super Smash Bros. Brawl is out, and I couldn't possibly recommend it more. It's got more characters than ever, 4 control schemes, level editor, and the same frantic gameplay the series has become known for.

While it doesn't reinvent the series in any way, in this host's humble opinion, that's a good thing. When something is awesome, don't change it. Just make it more awesome.

Also, in honor of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, I'm putting up links to Nintendo's other popular first party titles, as well as the Wii itself and its myriad of controllers. If you're looking to grab these, grab them through our Amazon links and help support the Best Damn Podcast Ever!

Bust out your nunchuks and your Wavebirds, because it's go time.

Note - You will need to disable any ad blocking software to view the buy now links below.

March 7, 2008

Fic's Picks #1 : Contra 4

Justin Fic here.

As mentioned on Episode 37, the BDPE is now a member of the Amazon Affiliate Program. What this means is that we can put links to products on Amazon, and if you guys buy it through our link, Amazon kicks us a small cut. It's a great way to help support the podcast, especially if it's a game you guys were going to buy anyway! So let's get started.

I know on the podcast I said I'd use Advance Wars: Days of Ruin for the first Pick, but it needs to be bumped in favor of a game that has a much larger set of testicles: Contra 4.

How could I have a recurring column about awesome games and not kick it off with a Contra title? IT'S NOT POSSIBLE. Contra is the quintessential man's game: guns, explosions, aliens, and mind-blowing difficulty. Beating a Contra game demands perfection- anything less is met with failure. Contra 4 continues the time-honored tradition of dudes with no shirts blasting the ever-loving shit out of an endless supply of aliens, alien vehicles, and the iconic oversized-beating-alien-heart. This is a Contra game by Contra fans, for Contra fans. Every inch of it drips Contra. The levels, music, graphics, bosses, guns, every last inch is the good old Contra you know and love, taken to the next level.

contradudes.pngContra 4, however, also continues the tradition of taking lesser gamers, bending them over, and raping them so hard up their virgin asses that even members of their immediate family don't walk straight for a week. Which brings me to the most common complaint about Contra 4: people invariably say it's too difficult. I've had at least 3 people tell me they had to put the game down because they got killed in the first 10 seconds. And all I can say to that is: look. You don't play Contra 4 the way you play these other sissy games that pander to how much you suck. When you pick up Contra 4, you are declaring war, and you are expected to treat it with the seriousness that war demands. If the first enemy kills you enough times, eventually you learn to juke his bullets, and kill his ass. That, my friend, is what videogames are all about.

But I guess it's a fair warning- if you were too much of a pussy for Contra, Super C, or Contra 3: The Alien Wars, I can confidently say you're too much of a pussy to handle Contra 4. Don't fight it, it's a sad truth. Not everyone is man for it. If you're one of these people, I recommend not buying Contra 4, and instead, taking part in an activity that better suits you, like sucking your thumb, playing with dolls, or menstruating.

BUT, if you're up for the challenge, Contra 4 is your chance to prove to the world that you're a cut above the rest, one of the elite. You beat Contra 4, and gamers all around you will just assume you have an enormous schlong. You beat Contra 4 around the ladies, and the final explosion will blow their clothes clean off. Wives, sisters, daughters, and hot single moms will all flock to you, while their men will gladly and respectfully bow at your feet. And all will sing your name.

Note - You will need to disable any ad blocking software to view the buy now links below.

March 6, 2008

Episode 37: Let's Get it On


The next time you kids bitch about show notes, I'm going to take a DUKE in your mouths. Also this week, Final Fantasy 7 ported to the NES for the ultimate j-pop rpg crapfest, there's terrorists in my World of Warcraft base, killing my liberty, and Take Two says "NO DICE" to EA buyout.

Judgment: Ace Combat 6 (360) and Advance Wars: Days of Ruin (DS)
Jank: I swear it dosen't suck, Shadowrun (360)
Quote: "He's probably ******** this sentence coming out of my mouth right now"
Battle: http://web.mac.com/pyoungxyz

If you have any feedback, you can shoot us an email here, call our voicemail at 845-BATTLE-9, or leave your thoughts in our forums here.

VOTE FOR US AT PODCAST ALLEY! DBZ GOKU!

March 2, 2008

Episode 36: We're Bringing Sexy Back


This week's show is a little different - we talk of the STATE OF BDPE. So warm up your fingers to fire off those whiney emails! We also break down a few of the week's top stories. While this a 'mini-show' of sorts, fear not, as we'll be back later this week with another full length show!

If you have any feedback, you can shoot us an email here, call our voicemail at 845-BATTLE-9, or leave your thoughts in our forums here.

VOTE FOR US AT PODCAST ALLEY! DBZ GOKU!

December 30, 2007

Video: Venustas - Orcs and Art


Welcome to Venustas - a cinematic experience like no other.

Rolling Stone Magazine calls it "A Masterpiece! Blake Buck delivers a tour de' force of cinematic excellence!"

Roger Ebert claims "I am now officially retired. I have played witness to the greatest film - nay - the greatest work of creative performance ever witnessed by humanity"

YouTube version available above, and a high-quality version available in the BDPE feed.

If you have any feedback, you can shoot us an email here, call our voicemail at 845-BATTLE-9, or leave your thoughts in our forums here.

VOTE FOR US AT PODCAST ALLEY! DBZ GOKU!

December 25, 2007

Episode 33: "The Venerable Uncle A-Rad"


We're back with a new show just in time for Christmas! This week we've got Jeff Gerstmann Lynched by Kane, Itagaki ALLEGEDLY cleared of rape charges, Blactivision formed, and the DUKE rides again.

Judgment: Rock Band (360 / PS3), Geometry Wars Galaxies (DS / Wii), Burnout Paradise Demo (360 / PS3), Contra 4 (DS).
Jank: Guitar Hero 3 and Toorock shirts
Quote: "Oh man, I forgot how much fun this is"

If you have any feedback, you can shoot us an email here, call our voicemail at 845-BATTLE-9, or leave your thoughts in our forums here.

VOTE FOR US AT PODCAST ALLEY! DBZ GOKU!

December 13, 2007

Video: Hordes of Orcs Trailer


What's this? An update to BDPE? And video power no less? My S.T.A.R.S!

The "director's cut" of the official trailer for Hordes of Orcs - a new Mac game published by Freeverse Software. Created by Blake Buck, this version has a slightly different ending that was deemed too intense by Freeverse Software.

To check out Hordes of Orcs, hop over to the official site at:

http://freeverse.com/games/game/?id=7019

Stay tuned, as we'll be posting a behind the scenes look at the making of this video soon!

If you have any feedback, you can shoot us an email here, call our voicemail at 845-BATTLE-9, or leave your thoughts in our forums here.

VOTE FOR US AT PODCAST ALLEY! DBZ GOKU!

November 27, 2007

Lights! Camera! Press Start! #1

By Staff Writer Matt K

Tron

Starring
Jeff Bridges
Bruce Boxleitner
David Warner
Cindy Morgan

Directed by
Steven Lisberger

Game Designer and Hacker Kevin Flynn (Bridges) is trying to gather evidence that his games were stolen by evil ENCOM CEO Ed Dillinger (Warner). His hack skills are so good, he uses game designs to try and hack into the Master Control Program (MCP), a Skynet-like supercomputer with eventual world domination plans, but is thwarted by his swiped game designs. Aided by his former co-workers, Alan Bradley (Boxleitner) and Lora (Morgan), he sneaks into ENCOM to continue his English-based hacking, only to be zapped into the mainframe by a laser-digitizing device controlled by the MCP (I dub this the CPUniverse). Within the CPUniverse, Flynn must use his superior ja alai, Frisbee, and light bike skills, along with a security program named Tron (conveniently resembling Bradley), to take down the MCP and his command program Sark and retrieve the evidence he’s been looking for.

By 1982, American video games had grown into a capable industry (even though it was on the verge of collapsing) and their relationship with movies thus far had been one-way, with average to crap games based on movies appearing on the consoles, most notably Atari 2600. Tron is the first movie to feature video games as critical to the plot. Obviously, at the time it was wise for Disney to create an original property rather than try to license and translate a game to the big screen. None of the games at the time were famous for their storylines, unless you count the games based on movies, and before you think “surely they wouldn’t recycle an IP licensed for another medium back into the original medium,” remember that there later was Street Fighter: The Movie: The Game! As well as telling an original story, creating a new IP allowed for the games viewed in the movie to be brought out as their own video game titles, complete with incredible hype from the fantastic visuals.

Tron is a landmark film as it’s the first major motion picture to incorporate extensive computer-generated images for the background of the computer world, the vehicle sequences, and the MCP. Backgrounds involving human actors were created using traditional methods of rotoscoping and backlighting. While some people may consider it gimmicky, it opened the floodgates for CGI research into major motion pictures. Also, the “gimmick” actually gives Tron an aesthetically pleasing look that reflects the decade in which it is set, though doesn’t completely shackle it to its date (outside of the CPUniverse, however, it’s 100% 1980’s and will never be mistaken otherwise).

While the technological setting hold up, the story fails a bit, mainly because outside the action elements, the film is quite boring. At its heart, Tron is nothing more than a fantasy epic with an evil overlord needing to be brought down by an outnumbered but incredibly capable rebel force, thus freeing the land for goodness. Tron even has to receive the ultimate weapon by the “users” before he can hope to defeat the “Evil Emperor” and his digital “Darth Vader.” Also, Flynn is brought to a fantastic world where people who resemble people in the real world was already done in The Wizard of OZ. The device used to transport our ordinary, modern-day protagonist to this fantasy realm is a technological replacement for Dorothy’s flying house. Even the MCP is a cybernetic wizard, albeit evil. Once Tron, Flynn, and Ram break through the confines of the light cycle arena, the film loses the adrenaline rush that it had. As a result, the story elements of the film are rehashed elements of better films, though integrating them into the frame of a computer universe is quite well done.

As with any film involving technology, certain elements are quite dated. Not the actual CPUniverse, that is still quite impressive, even more so when considering the machines available to the film programmers at the time. I’m talking about the archaic games and the notion that people love to come to arcades to watch one gamer conquer a game. In fact, when Flynn is playing Space Paranoids in front of a cheering crowd, he destroys two Paranoids, the second one being simply a repeat of the previous sequence, only much harder because it seems to take him more time to aim, a task supposedly deemed impossible by his adoring fans by the amount of cheers he receives for completing it. Add to the fact that he is the original designer of the game; it’s perplexing that anyone would find this such a great feat. It’d be like Shigeru Miyamoto finding the Warp Whistle in Super Mario Bros 3, stage 1-3, and expecting everyone to claim that he is the greatest gamer ever for discovering his own secret.

Also, the “hacking” elements are a bit confusing. Obviously, when marketing such a high-brow concept as hacking to a general audience, you have to eliminate the jargon and tediousness involved in actual hacking; what results is our first (and certainly not last) instance of the programming using plain English to perform complex hacking/programming tasks, fooling the general audience into believing that all it takes to become an accomplished hacker is a keyboard, monitor, and grasp of the English language. Thus, a time-consuming, trial-and-error process is as simple as ordering from a drive-thru.

Finally, when depicting what actually goes on within the CPUniverse when you type Hack Computer, the film depicts games being played. I’m not sure if this is part of the program that Flynn and the MCP have programmed into their hacking/security databases, or if we are to believe that whenever we run Norton Antivirus, our computers are playing a round of Missile Command against oncoming viruses. Also, are the arcade games hooked-up to the MCP via some undisclosed network connection and comprised of the programs hijacked by the MCP? Makes me wonder if every time I inserted a quarter into Street Fighter II, a hacked version of Quicken as Ryu is duking it out with the AIM logo as Sagat, and that if I used a powerful enough combo, I could break directly into Capcom’s database?

Still, the acting is good. It’s easy to tell Jeff Bridges’s Flynn, the actual human transported into the CPUniverse, from the rest of the programs, since they act in such a non-emotional manner. However, I question whether Tron and Sark were transported out of the CPUniverse and into the real world, since their human counterparts, Bradley and Dillinger, seem equally devoid of emotion. With Boxleitner’s thick glasses, you’d believe that he’s a computer nerd, though it’s much harder to grasp him hooking up with Morgan’s Lora. Also hard to grasp is Flynn, being an arcade owner and hacker, not being an unshaved lummox. But in all, the acting is on par with Star Wars, both being movies more concerned with the special effects than high-caliber acting.

Tron is an accomplished cult film that makes up for its average story with groundbreaking special effects. Several video games based on the light cycles, Frisbee, and Space Paranoids segments of the film were produced for arcades at the time, as well as video game sequels to the movie storyline in recent years. Fans of The Matrix will certainly see the inspiration from this film without the deep insight (or pompous philosophy of the sequels). It introduced CGI to an audience on the verge of accepting home computers into their homes, opening the floodgates to extensive and crappy CGI in many movies that should have known better. Also, those of us that were around when the film originally came out have a chance for some good, if rose-colored, nostalgia.. Most important to this article, Tron serves as a great introduction to video games as a major element into the film. Though it wasn’t a translation of an existing popular game into a film, it did allow video games to gain mass media attention. Gamers dreaming of their favorite games being translated directly to screen would have to wait about a decade for their dreams to be shattered.

Gamer Culture Exposed: This movie deals quite well with video gamers, not making them out to be anarchists (Flynn is in the right as his games were stolen by Dillinger) or unsociable slobs. However, I may have been too young for the trend where people come to an arcade to watch someone else make a high score. If anything, I'd have my quarter slapped up there to beat it, but these guys seem to have nothing better to do than watch someone play the games. Also, this was during the Golden Age of the Arcade when the home console market was crashing and games were far superior at the arcade than at home. This, of course, came to an end with the release of the Dreamcast version of Soul Calibur.

Availability: Tron enjoyed a revival during the dawn of the new millenium, especially with its spiritual successor The Matrix garnering attention and popularity. Various versions of the DVD are available in stores and on Amazon.

Formula: As mentioned above, Tron is not exactly original plot-wise, and we’ll see that no video game movies are. Therefore, I shall provide an easy-to-follow flow chart that will help you determine what kind of movie you’re getting, thus illuminating possible alternatives if you’re trying to find a similar flick without the video game trappings.

click on image for details

November 23, 2007

Video: Foursouth - Jerrall


It's the Thanksgiving holidays! Which means we're being a bit slow at getting a new show recorded with all the holiday festivities. So to tide you over until the next show, I present you with the Jerrall.

Jerrall was the first film Blake Buck and William Miller shot together in the fall of 2003. This was back in our senior year of high-school at the Mississippi School of Mathematics and Science - an academically selective boarding school for gifted students. The film presents one legendary Calculus II teacher and his ensuing wrath on his students.

Though as crude as it perhaps looks now, Jerrall paved the way for future films; we also had a lot of fun premiering it in our Calculus II class as well. If you have any feedback for us, leave your thoughts in our forums here.

In the coming weeks we'll be posting the rest of Buck and Miller's Foursouth films, so stay tuned!

November 12, 2007

Episode 32: Uncle Tom Motherf***er


This week BDPE's got a very special guest! Andre Meadows, who some of you may know from his "Buy me a Wii" YouTube video, talks to us about his love of games, comedy, and his experiences as a black nerd.

Also this week, Jack Thompson announces himself keynote speaker at GDC, the ESRB says Manhunt 2's rating will stand despite it sucking really bad, and Guitar Hero 3 makes Activision enough money to license a good set list next time - oooh, burn!

Judgment: Guitar Hero 3 (360, PS3, Wii, PS2)
Jank: Lost Planet Collector's Edition
Quote: "I'm inviting him to MLK Day"

Check out Andre's website and videos over at:

www.blacknerdcomedy.com

If you have any feedback, you can shoot us an email here, call our voicemail at 845-BATTLE-9, or leave your thoughts in our forums here.

VOTE FOR US AT PODCAST ALLEY! DBZ GOKU!

November 2, 2007

Rated 'M' for 'Mature' or 'R' for 'Racist'?

By Staff Writer Matt K
Original Pic by Shawn B

I’m going to try and address a very controversial topic. Some people may find it inappropriate and offensive. Does that mean I should stop writing now? Well, how can you be offended if I don’t complete the article? Surely you’ll need the complete context of my writing and my intention for writing if you’re going to deem it offensive. Such is the case for Resident Evil 5. Sure, the series is no stranger to controversy, what with its explicit violence and gore. A new controversy came about during E3 2007, where a video depicted series mainstay Chris Redfield battling savage villagers. A blogger caught sight of this trailer and vented her offense, deeming the images in the trailer to be racist. Naturally, many people reacted in a rather knee-jerk fashion, spewing racial and sexist slurs towards the blogger, essentially validating the blogger’s opinion that video games can make people racist.

People like to abuse the anonymity of the Internet. Bloggers will pick any topic of interest and write about it, saying anything they want with a false sense of authority in a desire to be heard and validated. They take offense when people read their blogs and react against them, often with a similar sense of false authority. Each blogger and commentator thinks they are right and believe that they can convince others to affirm and conform to their views but will not seek to change their own views at any counter argument. By no means were the slanderous remarks about the blogger's race or gender called for. Such slander served no purpose but to support the blogger's claim. On the other hand, the blogger failed to approach the subject in a wise manner. With such claims as “Start them young… fearing, hating, and destroying black people,” she was inadvertently implying that video game players are racist. In reality, such a claim makes her racist, and a poor writer. She’s made broad generalizations about a game, and the gamers who will play it.

She mentions “the fact that this video game is marketed to children and young adults.” The Resident Evil series has never been marketed to children. All American releases since the very first game have garnered an ‘M’ rating due to violence and gore, and each game’s title sequence is preceded by the warning “This game contains scenes of explicit violence and gore.” Any parent who has blindly bought these games for their children have more problems to deal with than just racism. Parents are provided with sufficient warning of the explicit content in a game via the box warnings and the Internet. If a parent allows their child to play the game, it’s up to them to let them know that the entire game is fiction and that no racial influence is developed from the experience. If the parents are racist, then honestly the game is not going to make a difference one way or another because the child is already exposed to the racism. As for young adults or adults in general, it’s up to them to determine their own feelings and outlook on races, and this has most likely been cultivated long before they are exposed to other material. I looked at the trailer myself before hearing of this blog and I did not find myself overcome with the urge to grab a white hood and lynching ropes. Racial feelings did not rise up in me when I saw the enemies. I’m an adult and my feelings about people of different races are pretty much set, and those were from my real life interactions with them. Also, I’m mature enough to know that experiences with a finite number of people from a race do not necessarily dictate the entire race from acting in such a way. Resident Evil 5 or any other game does not determine that.

Another problem is that many of these accusations of racism are based on a trailer. The blogger herself says “The new Resident Evil 5 video game depicts a white man in what appears to be Africa killing black people.” First, it’s the trailer, not the game. You can’t declare an entire game, or for that matter its makers and fans of the game/series, racist if the entire context of the game has not been released. Such an assumption is just as racist as judging an entire race based on a few people. Also, I feel I can safely assume that the blogger has not followed the series. The “white man,” revealed to be Chris Redfield, has battled against the Umbrella Corporation, the company responsible for the outbreaks of zombie and parasitic infestation throughout the entire series. The spoken line of dialogue, “I have a job to do, and I’m going to see it through,” is inferred by the blog to imply Chris’s desire to attack the black villagers. Now, having not played the game myself, I cannot say this for certain, but having played the previous games, I safely infer that this is targeted towards Umbrella Corp. At any rate, the dialogue and actions of Chris cannot be properly interpreted until the full context of the game has been revealed.

In regards to context, it’s not been explicitly revealed where the game is taking place, but if the story is set in a locale indigenous to black people, would people be offended if black people were completely omitted, most likely interpreting that black people aren’t worthy of being in a video game? Would people be offended if the main character was black, believing this glorifies black-on-black violence? Where was this blogger’s outrage when the previous installment featured Spanish villagers as similarly savage? Where was the outrage of racism when all previous zombies, with the exception in Resident Evil 2 of Officer Marvin Branagh, were all white? The blogger has not addressed these issues because they never were issues. In the context of the game, the things being “killed” were dead to begin with, and it was a matter of survival for the main characters. There’s no hidden meaning to the undead nor to their elimination. To paraphrase Freud, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, but what we interpret the cigar to mean determines what we believe is there.

Will canceling Resident Evil 5 teach everyone that racism is wrong and people everywhere will join together in peace and harmony? I can safely say it will not. The problems of racism exist not in games, but within people. Games, like novels and movies, address issues; they don’t cause or solve issues. The best we can do is educate ourselves and deal with issues of racism and other negative vices not within the games, which are just interactive fiction, but within ourselves and our society. People make games, games do not make people.

October 30, 2007

Episode 31: Black Smoke Sh**


BDPE goes retro with a more classic show style - and tight leather pants. Also this week, Bungie tells Microsoft "K BAI", Bionic Commando swings back into action (lol, gamespot headline), and NEW STREET FIGHT.

Judgment: Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS) , The Orange Box (360 / PC)
Jank: Q? Entertainment XBLA Bonanza
Quote: "We won't have a department of defense, we'll have a department of FIGHT"

VOTE FOR US AT PODCAST ALLEY! DBZ GOKU!

Visit tbdpe.com for links to vote and donate.

If you have any feedback, you can shoot us an email here, call our voicemail at 845-BATTLE-9, or leave your thoughts in our forums here.

VOTE FOR US AT PODCAST ALLEY! DBZ GOKU!

October 19, 2007

BDPE’s Most Wanted, File #02


By Staff Writer Matt K