A new trend seems to have started with the cries of racism toward Resident Evil 5, and the "glorification" of violence with Baby Shaker, an App for the iPhone/iPod Touch that was recently pulled from Apple's app store: intolerance. It continues with Pacific Islanders' outrage toward Pocket God, one of the most heavily-downloaded games in Apple's inventory. Though it was introduced to the online store in early January of 2009, those who have just now uncovered it are referring to it as "disgusting and degrading."
Pocket God is released in episodic segments, and players assume the role of god who watches over dimunitive "primitive islanders," occasionally tormenting the characters in various ways, similar to how some players may treat their Sims or characters in other games in the same genre. For instance, the characters are often set on fire, or even fed to sharks.
Pacific Islanders contend that the depiction of these island inhabitants, wearing grass skirts and bones in their hair, is "an arrogant slap in the face to our people." Dr. Malakai Koloamatangi, Pacific academic, has deemed the game "totally degrading." He went on to explain that the game only serves to cement stereotypes that many Pacific islanders are trying to overcome these days.
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The US creators of the game, Bolt Creative, are adamant in claiming that the game is not depicting a certain nationality, "The fictional characters in Pocket God do not directly or indirectly represent any human nationality, race or cultural people," they explained in a recent release. Bolt has went so far as to apologize to those who feel offended by the game, but feels that no true injustice has been done.
This is becoming more commonplace as the days wear on - digging up a game that has been floating around online or in the community for quite a long time, then instigating complaints about it. Why? Are they truly insulted or is it because it means that they may get some sort of compensation for the injury of their pride? Whatever the case, if you are going to deem a simple game such as Pocket God offensive, there is quite a long list of viable entertainment choices that can be added to the pile as well that do the same things (or worse.) Perhaps those offended feel that ganging up on a smaller competitor will do them the most good.
Whether the game is truly offensive or not seems inconsequential to me. How those "offended" go about making their complaints known seem totally unnecessary and frivolous to me, and it seems as if it's only a matter of time until we see a drastic increase in rules and regulations that prevent anyone from creating anything they should have the freedom to make.
Thanks to the Brisbane Times for the information.