Playing the "C-Word" game

We like to think we have an open readership of all ages and our feedback attests to this fact, so for that reason we'll be using "C-Word" in place of, well... the actual "C" word.. know what we're saying? If not hopefully all will become clear.

The feminist gamers are upset... again... and this time in the firing line is the rarely spoken (lest you get a slap from your mother) "C-Word", a flash game published by Newgrounds. We're not linking to it because frankly, why give them more direct links than they already have, but suffice to say the 'game' revolves around a small penis firing balls at a giant wizened (and rather disturbing) vagina, which gushes blood when hit. If that isn't disturbing enough for you there's also germs you must shoot too.

Feminist gamers take on the game comes down to a fairly simple premise "issues with female sexuality" and that "it represents a very real and tangible culture of hatred of women that exists within the gaming community".

Strangely the game isn't just some uneducated 15 year old boys twisted idea of a joke, it was made by Edmund McMillen, a fairly talented graphic artist. For this reason one has to question his motive with regards to the game. Why was it made by a grown man and why did he actually believe it to be a good idea at the time? As the 'Acid for Blood' (LOVE that name) blog points out "Edmund McMillen is not just some basement coder or armchair designer. McMillan had a hand in the early development of current Xbox 360 indie darling, Braid, and he co-created the critically praised indie game, Gish. He is a professional game designer (or he has professional aspirations) and he not only thought that C*nt was a good idea, but he thought gamers would play it". And to some degree he was right, people are playing it, though one has to wonder how many people who have 'played' the game did so for 'fun' and how many people (like me) did so to look at it and garner an opinion on it.

The GirlGamers Australia response to this title is simple, it's a ridiculous attempt for attention. There can be no other logical explanation for a grown man to have made something so completely headline grabbing and ridiculous in premise. So are the feminist gamers right in their angry assertions, is the title all about gynephobia and misogyny, sure it's about those things, but what lies beneath (see what we did there?) is actually perhaps more scary. The use of feminism itself to garner anger and thus coverage for a title that would otherwise have been largely ignored and laughed off, but for a few immature giggles from boys without a clue (about real vagina's, common decency and good taste).

Comments

[GollumGrrl]

I went and looked it up and wished I hadn't, that is sick and I'm pretty sure that guy Eddie that made it has some serious Mommy issues.

Why is it alright to publish games like this on the internet where anyone can get them, but games we pay actual money for with age ratings can be edited or banned without a second thought.

[Banksy]

@ GolumGirl

The quick answer is developers and publishers make a lot of money, so they have to follow rules. A game like this can be made by any idiot with a copy of macromedia and bam, you've got a whole heap of crass, stupid, sexist and utterly ridiculous games.

The rule should probably be "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should" which I read someplace recently. Of course as was pointed out, I bet this guy has never had so many hits in his life and that was probably the reasoning behind it.

[Thefremen]

http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2008/09/indiegames_interview_edmund_mc.php

Apparently he also did character design and animation for Braid.

[Kentucky Nickle]

If the game wasn't based on a penis shooting balls at a vigina it would actually be fun. If he changed the characters in the game and the name of it then it would be a great game to play. I mean what if a little kid saw there older sibling playing this game? He really should be more carefull about what he puts on the interenet, if the right person comes along it could get legal!