Shadow Complex
Last entry of the day. My friend Christian wrote a simply amazing piece for Gamasutra.com on whether or not progressive-minded gamers should consider boycotting Shadow Complex, a game based on concepts from author Orson Scott Card, who is an active campaigner against gay rights.
From the article:
While I feel passionately about the issue — it’s a matter of public record on my personal blog, Twitter, and Facebook, which are all read by members of the industry — it has nothing to do with “The Art & Business of Making Games”, which is Gamasutra’s mission and motto.
What does, however, is an examination of a boycott of a game, arising because some members of the gaming community feel strongly that one of the creative talents behind it is too strongly linked to a political cause.
My delight at reading such a thoughtful piece of true gaming journalism is equalled only by my disappointment that it’s such an exception to the rule. Hopefully the games biz will continue to grow and mature to the point where that’s no longer the case.
Thanks for linking to the article! This actually went through my mind last night as I was looking at the Shadow Complex stuff on Xbox Live. As much as I think “Ender’s Game” is a marvelous, classic sci-novel, I bought it used and haven’t purchased any other Card ‘products’ since then.
Maybe it’s pointless to boycott him. I don’t know. But when he uses his status as a Hugo/Nebula/whatever winning author to promote his anti-gay articles, then I have no problem putting him on the same list as L. Ron Hubbard and other crazies that I won’t be giving any money to fund their nefarious plots against humanity.