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HOTLINE MIAMI 2 - BANNED IN AUSTRALIA

16/1/2015

22 Comments

 
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Here's a thing you may have read about this week: the Australia Classification Board has effectively banned the release of Hotline Miami 2, by refusing to grant it an age rating. Why? According to Kotaku Australia, the board objected to an alleged rape sequence.

Yes - that's right. Another day, and yet another gaming-related rape controversy. It's a word that we never thought we'd find cause to use on Digitiser 2000, but which is, depressingly, fast becoming an overused part of our vocabulary.

Look away now if you don't want to read the ABC's unpleasant description of the offending scene: 

"In the sequence of game play footage titled Midnight Animal, the protagonist character bursts into what appears to be a movie set and explicitly kills 4 people, who collapse to the floor in a pool of copious blood, often accompanied by blood splatter. After stomping on the head of a fifth male character, he strikes a female character wearing red underwear. She is knocked to the floor and is viewed lying face down in a pool of copious blood. 

"The male character is viewed with his pants halfway down, partially exposing his buttocks. He is viewed pinning the female down by the arms and lying on top of her thrusting, implicitly raping her (either rear entry or anally) while her legs are viewed kicking as she struggles beneath him. This visual depiction of implied sexual violence is emphasised by it being mid-screen, with a red backdrop pulsating and the remainder of the screen being surrounded by black."

EXCESSIVE VIOLENCE

The sequence earlier appeared in a demo, which had caused controversy at various media events last year. However, in the wake of some mild backlash, developer Dennaton Games announced it was considering removing the sequence. Evidently, they decided not to.

Now... we loved Hotline Miami. It was excessively violent and anti-social to be sure... but it never seemed to have anything like that in it. Of course, it's all in the telling and the context, but with that in mind... here's what the game's publisher Devolver had to say:

"First, to clear up any possible misconceptions, the opening cinematic that was first shown in June of 2013 has not changed in any way. We also want to make clear that players are given an choice at the start of the game as to whether they wish to avoid content that alludes to sexual violence. The sequence in question is presented below in context, both after choosing the uncut version of the game and after choosing to avoid content that alludes to sexual violence.

"Second, in response to the report itself, we are concerned and disappointed that a board of professionals tasked with evaluating and judging games fairly and honestly would stretch the facts to such a degree and issue a report that describes specific thrusting actions that are not simply present in the sequence in question and incorrectly portrays what was presented to them for review."


So... the "thrusting" has apparently been exaggerated... But that doesn't detract from the fact that, seemingly, the firm's way of trying to avoid controversy over sexual violence is to include sexual violence in the game, but give players the choice of not having to watch it. Which, frankly, seems a bit bizarre to us. 

And - if that is the case - no justification whatsoever.

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HOTLINE WALFORD

Now... we haven't seen Hotline Miami 2, but we don't feel there's anything wrong per se - if it's handled correctly and sensitively - in depicting sexual violence in a creative endeavour. 

There have been movies about it, books about it, stage plays about it. Heck, they've even had it in EastEnders and Downton Abbey. But often they're coming from a real place - written by someone with first-hand experience, as a way of processing or speaking out about the experience. Or, at the very least, they tend to get experts on board to ensure it's handled sensitively, in a way that isn't going to upset anyone unduly. 

You know: such as someone who has been a victim of sexual violence, and knows first-hand exactly why it is a devastating and life-destroying event, that casts a shadow across a person's entire life. 

Usually - when it's not just there for titilation or shock factor, or because it's just the sort of thing you're meant to have in rap lyrics - there's a point behind it. 

We dunno. Maybe Hotline Miami 2 is different to its predecessor, but we suspect it'll be more of the same gratuitous, arcade-y, 8-bit violence. And rape - we honestly cannot believe we're having to type that word yet again in relation to a video game - feels like a bad fit for that series. Even if you can skip it. Where's the context? What's the message? What are they trying to say? It feels hollow, and cheap, and utterly, completely, needless.

While - again - holding up our hand and admitting we've not played the game, or seen the sequence in question, our worry is that it's just there because it's there. Because the developers deemed it would be a cool thing to have in their game. Because, troublingly, it sometimes feels like too many people who are drawn to video games - either as players, creators, or commentators - are obsessed with the idea of sexual violence. 

EXCUSES EXCUSES

Following the unveiling of the controversial demo last year, Dennaton's Dennis Wedin discussed the sequence with Rock, Paper, Shotgun. He said: 

"Our reasoning was, it’s been a trend in horror movies to do a remake of an old movie or maybe a sequel to an old movie, and they tend to take the next step up. Like, the first movie was really violent and bloody, and that was controversial. The next tries to [be equally controversial] with a big next step.

"So almost doing that with the illusion of an assault but then having the game stop you, that’s us saying we’re not going to go the whole way [toward that exploitative next step]. That’s not Hotline Miami. Some might think that would be the way for us to do the sequel. Like, 'OK, they did the violence. Now do sexual assault to be controversial'. That’s not what we’re about. So instead, it just stops."


We don't really know what he's trying to say there to be honest. You're not really about rape, so you put it in your game anyway, but you don't go the whole way... because that's what you're not really about? Eh? What?

Devolver has announced it won't be challenging the ruling from the ABC. But last night, in an email allegedly sent to a fan from Dennaton's Jonatan Söderström, the designer wrote: "If it ends up not being released in Australia, just pirate it after release. No need to send us any money, just enjoy the game!"

Yes. Enjoy the game. Enjoy the game, everyone. And don't worry about the rape - you can just skip past that part by pressing X.

It's like holding a dinner party, and putting a half-dissected cat on the table, with a pair of rubber testicles in its mouth, then telling people they don't have to look at it if it offends them.

22 Comments
Mr Jonny T
16/1/2015 04:47:22 am

I haven't played the game - so my opinion is probably misinformed - but is there really any context in which a brutal rape scene is acceptable in a game?

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Neiloits
16/1/2015 05:21:54 am

Fair enough, but couldn't you say that about any other form of media? With games now evolving as they are, while a game like this may not be the right forum for its inclusion (i'll make up my mind when I play it) I don't think its right to box off particular topics just because you're making a game

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Mr Jonny T
16/1/2015 06:10:41 am

In my opinion, games struggle to portray stories, emotions and the power that, say, a movie or book does. There have been very few games that I can say I empathise with or feel for the character. That is not to say that games don't have the potential to do so - but I guess the idea of it just makes me feel more uncomfortable in games for some reason.

Neilo
16/1/2015 07:53:30 am

In the context of the game it only looks like an assault is hinted at before the director yells cut. Its portrayed as another horrendous thing that a violent and horrific protagonist is doing in a violent and horrific film. Its not something gratuitous like "Press X to rape" or something like that.
Games seem to make people more uncomfortable because of the agency that a player has, as opposed to just being an observer like with a film. But I think that with that layer of interactivity comes the potential to tackle issues in a different way, even if developers haven't properly figured it out yet. But people are trying at least. Like how Paul Verhoeven films like Robocop and Starship Troopers can appear to be over the top schlock at first glance but actually have some interesting commentary to make, I'd like to think that games might have that potential as well

gecks
16/1/2015 05:01:00 am

i don't think it's fair to write them off just yet. hotline miami did a really good job of contextualising it's excessive violence by effectively being a commentary on that violence, and our willingness - as gamers - to go along with it. it is, in a way, the 'funny games' of gaming. perhaps it doesn't come across like that for everyone, but i think the hooks are there:
http://gamasutra.com/blogs/RamiIsmail/20121029/180408/Why_Hotline_Miami_is_an_important_game.php

that said, it's a bold writer who tries to deal with sexual violence, so it remains to be seen whether hotline miami 2 is still a worthy endeavour.

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Wicked Eric
16/1/2015 05:11:03 am

The full context of the scene (both the cut and uncut version) can be viewed here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sM2vUBHUyA

My view is that giving the player the choice to opt out is probably the best course of action they could have taken. If the devs think that the scene is necessary to make some kind of point about trashy, exploitative entertainment then that's their call. They obviously feel it is important enough not to cut. Although I do think that Wedin's explanation is extremely weak and in no way convincing enough.

However it remains their work at the end of the day and having a disclaimer and the ability to opt-out at least shows some degree of sensitivity to the fact that members of their audience may not wish to be presented with such images.

Personally I'm not entirely comfortable with the scene, and it has somewhat put me off the idea of playing HM2. Fundamentally for me, it seems that computer games are a medium ill suited to tackling such massively emotive and potentially destructive subject matter.

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Mr Biffo
16/1/2015 05:43:29 am

Thanks, chaps, for your reasoned and intelligent responses. I totally agree that games - as they become increasingly more sophisticated - should have the scope to tackle any subject. I'm just not sure that HM2 - even as clever as the first game and its themes were - is the correct format for exploring exploitation.

And as was said, I'm not sure the developers' defence is sufficiently thought through or convincing to assuage my fears that this isn't just a case of "Oh cool! This will make people talk!".

At the least, though, we ARE talking about it - and that's only going to be a good thing going forwards.

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Alex Rogan
16/1/2015 05:45:13 am

I have seen the offending scene and it is as described. Obviously it's hard to compare it with something as explicit as "Irreversible" or "The Accused" because of the 8-bit style and also because, like you said, there's seemingly zero context or need for it to be there other than to shock. You can excuse excessive violence because it's always so over the top. Very few people will ever experience gun violence and none could ever punch a person's head off. But sexual violence is a very real thing that effects more people than you think- due to lack of victims coming forward, and not much in the way of real statistics on victims and those who comit it- so to just use it as a basic plot device is cheap, at best.

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David
16/1/2015 05:50:04 am

"it's OK to brutally murder people but not to rape them"

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Wicked Eric
16/1/2015 05:55:36 am

Good quote. Kurt Cobain wasn't it?

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Mr Biffo
16/1/2015 05:57:28 am

Well, that's the big question, isn't it, and usually one that comes up when this topic gets discussed. I can't really answer it in any definitive sense - all I can tell you how I feel from my personal perspective, and... I'm uncomfortable with it.

Fact is, the number of people I've known, or met, who've been blasted in the face with a shotgun is zero. The number of women in my life who've suffered sexual violence - and continue to suffer the trauma many, many years later - is frighteningly high.

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Some Guy
16/1/2015 06:42:16 am

It's pretty crazy to have an "Include rape?" option at the start of a game.

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Superbeast 37.
16/1/2015 06:49:38 am

I don't want to see it, play it or buy it.

That said it's 18 rated, you can turn off the scenes or you can just not buy it.

There is no link between games and people mimicking the actions in real life and so it comes down to consumer choice.

If you have been a victim and don't want to see it, you would have to be particularly daft to not only buy the game but also enable the scenes (and play a rock hard game enough to reach them!).

It's not like it's being shown on terrestial TV where you can view it by accident. You have to deliberately and purposefully go out of your way to see it. If you are prepared to put in that much effort to deliberately see something, I am sure you can find far worse on the Internet to be concerned about. Things that involve real people and not cartoon violence.

I'm uncomfortable with it and so I won't go out of my way to jump one of the hurdles required to see it.

I fully support the existence of the scenes though given the warnings and the deliberate and difficult steps you must take to see them.

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Mr Biffo
16/1/2015 08:03:39 am

Fair comment, SB 37. You're right that it seems to be a scene from a movie (though actually a bit worse than I'd imagined - the character shoots the woman before "raping" her, as she lays there in a pool of blood). It is shocking. It is distasteful.

And - okay - I haven't seen it in the context of the rest of the game, but in isolation it's difficult to know what point is being made (especially in light of the developers' weird response). At the moment it just looks like it's being gratuitous to make people go "That's gratuitous", before they turn around and say "EXACTLY! That's the point, guys!".

Just wondering, though, whether the right people are trying to tackle a topic like this in games. Having watched the sequence now, I just can't picture a female developer tackling it in the same way. It just feels - to me - too abstract to be making a point. It's just sort of there.

But it's clearly a smart team - and I adored the first Hotline Miami. So I'm prepared to reserve a bit of judgement.

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Superbeast 37
16/1/2015 09:09:22 am

I think the way to handle this is to simply inform people just as this news story has. Let consumers know what type of content is involved.

Then like me, they can choose to avoid it. If enough people like me avoid it, the game will fail financially and other devs will take note.

Of course if consumers do buy it in large numbers one has to accept that the majority are OK with it (subject to access restrictions).

I'm not a fan a censorship as that is effectively taking a decision on behalf of millions of adults without their delegated consent. Only exception is when real people/animals were hurt in the creation of something - and this is already banned.

Curiously I was on the Nat Geo TV channel website the other day reading up on the new series of Aircrash Investigation. A guy wrote in the comments that he had written to ofcom to complain about the programme.

He had been on the plane that crashed and had no doubt been seriously injured (physically and mentally) and some of his relatives were killed.

I'm sure no one would support a science documentary like that being banned but his complaint was more legitimate than complaints about this game.

The programme was being broadcast on a widely available channel that he could accidentally switch to. They would then be presented with a realistic CGI recreation of the horrific thing that happened to him and his family that day and of which he still carries the mental and physical scars.

It also involved realistic live action footage of actors covered in blood etc.

In perspective this is horrendous compared to a game that you specifically have to purchase, specifically disable the content filter and then bang your head against a wall in a notoriously hard game dying every ten seconds before you witness an unrealistic 8 bit cartoon depiction.

I don't like fallacies but the slippery slope fallacy is a legit point here. What do you censor...

dan de la peche
16/1/2015 09:21:18 am

I know this will probably be very unpopular, but I have exactly the same issue with 8-bit depictions of rape as I do of an 8-bit depiction of pushing a drill through someone's head - I just don't care. I think if we're trying to impose any kind of moral compass on games then we are ALL fucked, because nearly all games have violence as their central mechanic. The important part being that we've all laughed at the Mary Whitehouses and that crazy Jack Thompson dude, because "it's only games, man". Digital rape is distasteful, yeah, but then so is Digital Going Into The Police Station With The Wolf Mask On And Stabbing Everyone, and that was real good fun.

I've just completed Bayonetta 2 for the second time though, so my brain's probably addled with all the angel killing and clothes-stripping.

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Mr Biffo
16/1/2015 09:58:37 am

Dan and SB 37 - points taken. Especially about free speech and censorship.

This is entirely a personal perspective - and I'm not actually supporting the banning of the game, or of it being censored - but I can't bring myself to be at ease with the content.

Dan - you said it yourself: the game is real good fun. Not everything can be a Disney movie, but do we need the rape stuff in this instance? Is it really making so brilliant a satirical point? What is it adding? Again, I'm not advocating its removal... it's more that I don't like that someone would put it in the game in the first place. I think that's where I feel a bit depressed about it.

But I do agree that it's a bit weird and incongruent that I'm ok about the stabbing and shooting and blood, but not when it comes to that - admittedly brief - moment of pixellated sexual violence against a woman. Sadly, it just strikes too close to home for me.

And there probably was a point, years ago, where I wouldn't have cared less either. Unfortunately, I'm very uncomfortable these days when it comes to stuff like that. I might be viewed as a complete prude, and an old fart, or whatever, but I just don't think it's necessary - it needs to be handled, in my eyes, with absolute sensitivity. And probably not by a couple of male, Swedish game developers.

And it's ok that you're ok with it - I really hope that sort of thing never comes into your real life, or the life of people you care about. I'm happy you can enjoy a game which features something like that without it making you feel uncomfortable. Unfortunately, not everyone can.

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dan de la peche
16/1/2015 10:18:59 am

I don't for a minute think they're making any kind of satirical point successfully (although they might be attempting it). The whole game aesthetic is grubby filth, like a dirty 80's snuff film. Like I say, I wouldn't care less if they cut it out or not, I'd enjoy the game, as I did the first one.

And, personal stuff alert, more than one person very close to me has had that sort of business happen to them multiple times. It's fucking abhorrent in real life. I'd be more likely to play this than a game that tried to handle the issue sensitively, games aren't (and I doubt will ever be) the kind of medium that can explore the subject. "Press Z to shower for four hours, Press X to scrub until skin comes off", ha. Fuck that.

I do think it's interesting that more and more 'people that play games' seem to be getting upset with this sort of thing, when we don't bat an eyelid when the latest Mortal Kombat (or whatever) comes out. Although I suppose it's a different thing. I dunno. I understand where you're coming from though. Games, eh? They'll all be banned by the Tories at some point anyway, I'm sure.

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Mr Biffo
16/1/2015 12:10:19 pm

Hah! Yeah. Games are eeeeeviiil...

Superbeast 37
16/1/2015 11:17:39 am

Sadly I think this where real victims have been let down by the pro-censorship PC mob.

To me such a scene in this game is totally unnecessary and deliberately provocative. It makes me furious as they had no reason to do it. Worst thing to do at the worst possible time.

It clearly isn't like the scene at the start of the movie Death Wish which is there to set up the conflicted feelings in the viewers minds about what happens later - what Kersey does is wrong but you empathise with his anger and share his hatred of the hoodlums as a result of that scene.

Instead it is deliberately placed in the game for no good reason other than to bait the PC mob into whipping up a storm of controversy. Thousands of pounds worth of free advertising and they believe it will gain the support of the millions of gamers who dislike that PC crowd.

The thing is I don't think most gamers particularly want to see such a scene in a game IF it isn't there for a good reason (as in Death Wish).

If gamers buy the game it will likely be because they liked the original and hey if they get to poke the PC-mob in the eye then that is an added bonus. So the draw is not the scene but rather spiting the people trying to tell them what they can and cannot do.

I plan on buying Hatred specifically for that reason. I don't want the game and I will not install it. But it was my choice not to buy Hatred. The problem came when people aggressively poked their nose in and tried to make that choice for me. Even though the choice they tried to make on my behalf was the one I was going to make anyway, it was no longer a "choice" once they had butted in and self appointed themselves as my moral guardian.

So hey now I am buying the game; not because I want the game but because I want to make it clear that I will exercise my freedoms and not be lectured at or controlled.

If they had just made a restrained disapproval of the game I wouldn't be buying it. They had to go too far with the usual over dramatised extreme outcry and attempts at censorship.

At the moment I have no intention of buying Hotline Miami 2. But if these people push it too far I will buy it. It will never be installed or played though, I can assure you of that.

I won't normally pay for such disgusting tabloid nonsense but I will vote with my wallet to protect my freedom as a consumer. I really hope people keep their cool and it doesn't blow up on social media etc.

Not holding my breath.

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Mr Biffo
16/1/2015 12:11:05 pm

Shockingly... I don't think I've seen even a second of any Death Wish. I must run immediately to the old fashioned video rental store...

ChorltonWheelie
17/1/2015 06:18:45 am

A game is banned by the machinations of the religious right wing in Australia so you're going to buy it to spite the "PC brigade"?
Yeah, nice one mate.

Anyhoo, the only thing Hotline Miami taught me was my twitch reactions aren't those of my Defender ruling younger self. I'll continue to spin the legend to my kids without ever having to demonstrate.
Time for a hot milky drink.




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