News & Politics - Video game simulates Kennedy assassination

JW77 · 11-22-2004, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Video game simulates Kennedy assassination
Developers say program designed to undermine conspiracy theories

LOS ANGELES - A new video game to be released Monday allows players to simulate the assassination of President Kennedy.

The release of "JFK Reloaded" is timed to coincide with the 41st anniversary of Kennedy's murder in Dallas and was designed to demonstrate a lone gunman was able to kill the president.

"It is despicable," said David Smith, a spokesman for Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy, the late president's brother. He was informed of the game on Friday but declined further comment.

Kirk Ewing, managing director of the Scottish firm Traffic Games, which developed the game, said he understood some people would be horrified at the concept, but he insisted he and his team had nothing but respect for Kennedy and for history.

"We believe that the only thing we're exploiting is new technology," said Ewing, a former documentary filmmaker and senior executive with Scottish developer VIS, responsible for games like "State of Emergency." He said he sent Edward Kennedy a letter before the game's release.

Ewing said the game was designed to undermine the theory there was some shadowy plot behind the assassination. "We believe passionately there was no conspiracy," he said.

Oswald's perch recreated
Traffic Games said the objective was for a player to fire three shots at Kennedy's motorcade from assassin Lee Harvey Oswald's digitally recreated sixth-floor perch in the Texas School Book Depository.

Points are awarded or subtracted based on how accurately the shots match the official version of events as documented in by the Warren Commission, which investigated Kennedy's assassination.

Shooting the image of Kennedy in the right spots in the right sequence adds to the score, while "errors" like shooting first lady Jacqueline Kennedy lead to deductions.

Each shot can be replayed in slow motion, and the bullets can be tracked as they travel and pass through Kennedy's digitally recreated body. Players can choose to see blood by pressing a "blood effects" option.

Players can view the motorcade from a number of angles, including the perspective of filmmaker Abraham Zapruder and a view from the "grassy knoll" where some conspiracy theorists believe a second gunman was stationed.

The game will be available via download for $9.99.

Hmm...wondering what people think about this.

The Happy Psycho · 11-22-2004, 01:02 AM

Personally, I think its disgusting. Not just because they used Kennedy, I'd feel the same way if they used any other real assassination.

Mandy Renay · 11-22-2004, 01:10 AM

As one thing leads to another, I hope it isn't going to be a new trend. I think it's pretty awful... just think if you were part of the family, you know? Would you want someone sitting around being entertained by shooting at your deceased family member? That's horrible.

mh67511 · 11-22-2004, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Ewing said the game was designed to undermine the theory there was some shadowy plot behind the assassination. "We believe passionately there was no conspiracy," he said.

What?!? Why in the world would you create an entire video game just to "undermine" a conspiracy theory. I think it's just disgusting and hope it's sales are miserable. What kind of a person would buy a game like this anyways?

***Jerry D*** · 11-22-2004, 04:13 AM

That really is despicable, and it does a disservice to the memory of President Kennedy.

Ambular · 11-22-2004, 04:21 AM

Um, I can have the same kind of learning experience about the assassination by reading a book .. Not re-inacting his death.

Terrible.

California_ here_ I _come · 11-22-2004, 08:28 PM

*Shudders* Rude...Rude...Rude...did I mention Rude!?

**TheAngel** · 11-22-2004, 10:40 PM

I think that is terrible. To do something like that, these people have no respect for life or death. Honestly, if you want to prove a point, write a thesis and not make a videogame. Enough people lived through that already. That would be like making a video game of 9/11 or Pearl Harbor or something like that.

mcdreamylover · 11-23-2004, 12:35 AM

This is just sick. I just don't know what else to say except that the person who came up with this needs some mental help IMO.

JellyBellyBean · 11-23-2004, 12:39 AM

That is disgusting. And stupid. And just plain wrong. All kinds of wrong that I can't even begin to describe.

The sad part is, some people will buy it just for the hype...which is terrible, and of course, completely disrespectful of his family.

Lovesbitch · 11-23-2004, 12:40 AM

they made a videogame to disprove a theory.

I miss the days were people, you know, wrote papers and researched.

JW77 · 11-23-2004, 01:45 AM

Yup, strange stuff.

So what kind of numbers do you guys think we'll see with this game?

**TheAngel** · 11-23-2004, 02:48 AM

More than I'd like. People will buy it for the hype, or because they seriously are disgusting and sick. I'd hope that not a single copy would sell, but I know that some will.

Maresa · 11-23-2004, 02:48 AM

It's the people buying this kind of game that the government should keep tags on.

shlee · 11-23-2004, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JW77
Yup, strange stuff.

So what kind of numbers do you guys think we'll see with this game?

Considering the creators are apparently offering a $100,000 prize to the person who most accurately recreates the shooting, I'd say that there will be quite a few people buying the game. Not to mention, the people who will buy it just out of curiousity.

Hey, anyway to make a buck, right? Sigh...this just depresses me.


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