Re: Controversial Gaming Question

From: Aram Khalili <akhali1@gl.umbc.edu>

Date: Wed, 10 Jul 1996 00:00:00 +0000

Aleks Andrzejewski wrote:
>=20
> I want to start a thread of discussion on a topic.  Here it goes:
>=20
> This is a discussion of developing a game dealing with life in or the
> running of an concentration camp.  I am playing devil=92s advocate on
> this one.
>=20
> With the development of many different types of games, one wonders why
> there is not one dealing with a concentration camp.  Are we concerned
> over the impropriety of such a game?  Why would we feel it is improper?

Because it is sick. We play games for our enjoyment, and what kind of=20
creatures would enjoy role-playing a concentration camp?

> We play  games of war, conquest, magic and on and on.  Would not an RPG
> or PBM help us deeper understand the psyche of the perpetrators and
> victims?  This in turn would let us re-play an important part of
> historical content.

Yes, we do play all those games, but do we play S&M games?=20
Despotism/Tyranny games? Look at the fantasy games most people play.=20
They generally have characters of 'good' alignment doing 'good' things.=20
Those who don't generally are merely sick of all the restrictions 'good'=20
characters have. I've seen few people play really 'evil' characters, and=20
even fewer stuck to them. Wargame players don't build up hatred and=20
propaganda against their opponents, it's a comparison of skill.

As for historical purposes, I would think that it would give us a better=20
understanding of these people's psyche, but I wouldn't consider this=20
desireable and painful. Would you think that surivors would want to go=20
back into a camp? Or think that is was a valuable and worthwhile=20
experience? No? Good. Then why would you want to expose yourself to that=20
shit?=20

Just my two cents.

--
Aram Khalili
akhali1@gl.umbc.edu

References

Re: Controversial Gaming Question
Eugene Young <10395@utech.net>
Sun, 30 Jun 1996 00:00:00 +0000
Controversial Gaming Question
attila3@ix.netcom.com(Aleks Andrzejewski )
Tue, 25 Jun 1996 00:00:00 +0000