Creator of Columbine "Game" Apologizes
Motorcycleboy @ Thu Sep 14, 2006 7:12 pm
I think it goes without saying that this guy is a complete asshole.
$1:
Don't blame the game, creator says'Columbine Massacre' developer expresses condolences to Montreal shooting victims
By BRODIE FENLON, Toronto Sun
The creator of a controversial video game based on the 1999 Columbine high school massacre — a game Dawson College shooter Kimveer Gill said was one of his favorites — expressed his condolences to the Montreal victims today.
But Danny Ledonne, 24, of Alamosa, Colorado, said his role-playing game “Super Columbine Massacre RPG” is a piece of art and social commentary, and it can’t be blamed for the actions of a person who has broken with reality.
“I regret people who misconstrue my message or people who use this video game as a means to justify their own immoral behaviour,” he said. “I send my deepest condolences to the victims involved in the Dawson College shooting.”
Crudely rendered and cartoonish, the free game allows players to choose a character — killers Eric Harris or Dylan Klebold — and follow in their true-to-life footsteps of April 20, 1999. A plot is hatched in a basement, propane bombs are planted, the school is entered and students are shot in the library and cafeteria.
The game weaves real photographs, transcripts and news coverage of the Columbine shootings into its narrative.
Gill said on a website that the game was one of his favourites. His attack Wednesday on a CEGEP college in the heart of Montreal bore many of the hallmarks of the Columbine shootings, including the fact he wore a dark trench coat similar to those worn by Harris and Klebold seven years earlier.
“Whether (Gill) picked up my video game or Oliver Stone’s Natural Born Killers, when you get to the point in your life, and you lose touch with reality, you lose your humanity.”
Any cause for debate?
hwacker @ Thu Sep 14, 2006 7:15 pm
Nope you're right. major anal sphincter
ridenrain @ Thu Sep 14, 2006 7:25 pm
Greedy amoral prick might be better. It's sad that he was able to find others like him to fund and market such borderline crap.
Delwin @ Thu Sep 14, 2006 7:38 pm
Sorry I have to disagree, I think this game was made as a piece of social commentary. The game was never charged for, it was made using rpgmaker. I see hollywood profiting off of the tragedy of 9/11, as much worse.
Delwin @ Thu Sep 14, 2006 7:46 pm
No different than the multitude of games depicting war re-enactments, nazi's, torture scenes, GTA, etc.
Except that, there was no profit made from this game.
RUEZ @ Thu Sep 14, 2006 7:46 pm
Delwin Delwin:
Sorry I have to disagree, I think this game was made as a piece of social commentary. The game was never charged for, it was made using rpgmaker. I see hollywood profiting off of the tragedy of 9/11, as much worse.
I just hope you never have someone die that way and then have some jerk off parody it in a game.
Jaime_Souviens @ Thu Sep 14, 2006 7:56 pm
I hope he doesn't have a peaceful night's sleep for the rest of his life.
Delwin @ Thu Sep 14, 2006 8:11 pm
I happen to be a believer in freedom of speech and freedom of expression, regardless of the medium. I don't like the way it was used in this instance, but I would never argue against it unless it's intent was to incite hatred, which I don't think was what this persons motive. Stone's movie about 9/11 served no real purpose but to entertain, could you explain the difference?
Jaime_Souviens @ Thu Sep 14, 2006 8:14 pm
Sure. He has freedom of speech. Just let him take responsibility for his speech, which he has not done.
usababe @ Thu Sep 14, 2006 8:16 pm
why do people even make games out of things like that?
Arctic_Menace @ Thu Sep 14, 2006 8:45 pm
It's funny, I have yet to see many people get worked up over the game Postal 2, which is one of the most fun, yet sickening games you'll ever play. 
Delwin @ Thu Sep 14, 2006 8:51 pm
Good point Arctic, I have heard people use the phrase "gone postal" all of the time, an obvious reference to a similar massacre with many victems, not much noise over that either.
usababe @ Thu Sep 14, 2006 8:53 pm
so, what is the attraction of a game like that Arctic_Menace?
Blue_Nose @ Thu Sep 14, 2006 9:12 pm
Same attraction that a movie like that would have - it's people who take it seriously (ie, not as entertainment) that have a problem dealing with it.
SireJoe @ Thu Sep 14, 2006 9:33 pm
The problem is not the game. Its the timing. Does anyone remember the South Park episode where they made fun of AIDS? (or was it family guy....) In any event, it was about them making fun of AIDS and the time allowed to pass was something like 15 years they were allowed to then make fun of it. I think they pretty much got it right. The analogy anyways.
Its about when the game or movie or whatever is made that makes the difference, not the actual content. If this were made in 10 years I am sure it would get the same greeting as any WWII or other military game gets now.