It's not unusual to kill stuff in video games. Many an RPG starts with the ubiquitous killing of rats in a sewer or cellar, then we progress to killing trolls, goblins and other assorted critters. We kill humans, we kill monsters, many of us even killed little girls in Bioshock... and I can gleefully kill all that stuff... but somehow it bothers me when I have to kill dogs. It makes me... uncomfortable.
I've always had pets (at one point we had 3 dogs and 5 cats) and I admit that even in the early Tomb Raider games, I used to try and climb up high and avoid the dogs rather than killing them if I could. In COD4, killing those dogs with a knife was brutal. Yes, they were german shepherds with big teeth lunging for my neck... and the natural reaction is to kill them, but still, that yelp that they made when dying made me feel a bit sad. The multiplayer of Call of Duty was even worse with the killstreak perk of "attack dogs" where a pack of dogs is suddenly howling and trying to rip your ass off... though I often did manage to get up high and avoid them - but killing them just seemed much worse than killing a human for some reason.
I have no concerns that "killing dogs in a video game" will lead to packs of teenagers killing fluffy pooches in people's backyards. I've killed thousands of rats in video games with nary a thought... but not all that long ago one of my cats brought home a live rat, and had just nibbled on the back legs enough to maim it but not kill it. We don't let our cats eat rats or mice due to a very expensive vet bill when one of our cats got rat poisoned... so as the rat tried to crawl away in the grass, squealing pitifully, I knew what had to be done. Enter real life and a shovel. I do wish games made it easier, because it wasn't. I'd never had to kill a live animal before, and even though the reason was so that it wouldn't suffer... it simply wasn't easy - even with all those years of practice killing virtual rats. Games have absolutely no relation to reality at all. Anyone who thinks so is very simply an idiot... or a politician.
While the dogs in COD are somewhat historically accurate, I'm sure the reason that they were included was specifically to create a feeling of discomfort - to evoke an emotional response. While everyone might have different "triggers" it's likely the same reason that we scale heights, enter enclosed spaces, or run around in darkness with monsters popping out in games. It's the same reason why clubbing baby seals in Overlord 2 seems ... well, kind of funny. It takes something we're likely "uncomfortable with" and by putting it into a game, it can evoke some form of emotion. So if you were a game designer, what might you use to evoke a feeling of discomfort... a response? What mechanisms in video games make you uncomfortable?
I miss my dog. My last dog died in February and I've been thinking of getting another, which was what brought this blog topic to mind. However, I still do have 2 cats... and I'm sure that somewhere, someone is making a video game (if it doesn't already exist) where you get to slaughter fluffy kittens. :(
(# 0) on 06/30/2009 12:01
http://www.owensworld.com/flashgames/play-347.htm
But yeah, I know what you means in CoD. It's a good mechanic, but it takes you outside of your comfort zone. It also, I suppose, does shake up the nerves when you hear the dogs approaching. Can you avoid them or will you have to dispose of tem?
In a way, it's the same as all the controversy that surrounded WoW with the torture quests in Wrath. It's part of a game, there's no link to reality and we're not going to see people copying what they see in the games but, as you say, they do evoke an emotional response.
(# 1) on 06/30/2009 12:01
I'm a dog person, but that doesn't mean I like games where you have to attack cats (as far as I know, there aren't any). The sad part with the animals is that you cannot get them to stop attacking you. I mean, they were trained to kill so they're just following their programming, but...as you said, it still feels bad, even when you're doing it to survive. I can't imagine how bad it'd be doing it for real. =\
(# 2) on 06/30/2009 12:03
Secondly, I have a friend who, whenever a story comes on the news about animals being sick, hurt, abandoned, etc., she has to close her eyes and literally go "lalalalala" until it is over. It's really the only sort of news story that she has a problem with.
I'm actually surprised that I don't have more of a problem with animals in games, but perhaps it's only because not a lot of games give them a sympathetic treatment.
And, yeah, the kitten slaughtering game already exists. Many do, actually. Bleh.
(# 3) on 06/30/2009 12:04
Also, baby seal clubbing is fun times.
(# 4) on 06/30/2009 12:07
(# 5) on 06/30/2009 12:13
The rabid dogs in fallout 3 are the only dogs I don't feel mean for killing :(
(# 6) on 06/30/2009 12:22
But I have no problem killing the tentacle-raping wolves from RE4. Or any dog from the Resident Evil franchise in fact.
(# 7) on 06/30/2009 12:26
How about the dogs in Ninja Gaiden II, though? Those fuckers carry knives and they're really annoying, so it's alright to slice them in half with a scythe.
(# 8) on 06/30/2009 12:29
That said, I always feel a little bad when I'm tasked with repeatedly killing cuddly domestic critters. Dogs especially are seen as the loyal companion so killing one feels like you're abusing the trust they placed in you, even if they are trying to rip your heart out.
(# 9) on 06/30/2009 12:36
(# 10) on 06/30/2009 12:40
(# 11) on 06/30/2009 12:40
My favorite sweet kitty Lofi died a couple weeks ago, a few hours after finding out at the vet that she had liver problems. I've had many animals, but it really hurt going out into the yard and digging a hole for her right after she died in front of me. I want to mention, a certain Dtoider really helped me by exchanging messages about things with me that day, and while I won't call him out so as not to embarrass him, I figure he'll be along to comment here later and I want to say thanks :) ...and thanks for blogging Elsa :)
(# 12) on 06/30/2009 12:45
I can't imagine killing a rat though, never seen one, in reality. *Boots up oblivion and burn some rats, why the f*ck are they attacking me, ALL OF THEM?*
(# 13) on 06/30/2009 12:46
Concerning dogs. I don't like 'em. Well, at least most of them. I've been bitten once when I was younger by a Neopolitan Mastiff (Mastino) [img]http://www.savvy-dog-lovers.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/neopolitan-mastiff-picture.jpg[/url]. Which wasn't his fault because he was old, demented and had bad eye-sight. But his jaws worked, I can tell you that.
I'm not gonna talk about Hunting here because that's a completely different story as well. Ok, quickly then. It really depends on the conditions. But enough of that.
We're talking about Video Games here.
I usually don't feel anything when I kill some animal in a game. Is that because of the way they're usually being portrayed in a game? Being vicious and ready to kill you if they get the change. Or just not very accurate (at least in older games). And all those the Hedgehogs, Monkeys, Gorilla's, Toads, Rabbits and other creatures that are used in games? Yeah, they're often blue or pink and don't even look like animals anymore. So for me they don't count as animals anymore.
In Fallout for instance almost all the animals were mutated so naturally I didn't have an affection with those. Even the dogs that weren't transformed into weird looking creatures didn't get my liking. That, and Dogmeat was pretty much useless. Giving away my position the whole time and getting stuck in abandoned houses.
I was excited about Farcry 2 being set in Africa. But when I played it there weren't many animals to be found. It's bloody Africa! Where are the lions?
In Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater you had to kill animals to survive. I killed and ate every single creature in that game and it didn't feel good or bad. It was a necessity to finish the game and, like I said, survive in that harsh environment.
There's many more games to talk about but I'll end this rather long comment by mentioning the dogs in COD4 and 5.
The dogs in COD5 are a pain in the ass. They act rather natural and won't stop until either you or them are dead. What would you do in real life when holding a gun and being attacked by mean canines? I don't think you'd try to talk them out if it.
Those bloody dogs in COD4! I've never seen or heard about a dog that brings you down without biting you in either the arm or leg and going straight for the throat. Those vile creatures are bloody annoying so I enjoyed killing them.
You got that PETA? I enjoyed killing unnatural digital dogs in a Video Game. While I love animals in real life.
I'm sorry for this blog in the comments.
(# 14) on 06/30/2009 12:49
(# 15) on 06/30/2009 12:56
Personally, killing the dogs in COD:WaW doesn't bother me, as they are in packs and it is lke hunting prey to them, and it is also politically correct in that they did use packs of dogs. And they have been used since Roman times to fend off enemies.
I do feel a bit odd after killing a dog in COD4 though as it has a worse whelp, and it's different somehow (I guess because I'm not constantly killing them like in WaW).
Good blog :)
(# 16) on 06/30/2009 13:00
(# 17) on 06/30/2009 13:05
(# 18) on 06/30/2009 13:08
That is the truth. No matter how many animals and people I've killed in videogames, it never gets easier to shoot someone. Uhhhh, I mean....
No, seriously though. I thought that paragraph was genius. Videogames are not murder simulators and do not raise your real life murder exp bar for slaughtering critters and people.
(# 19) on 06/30/2009 13:10
@Blasto... I'm so very sorry to hear about Lofi! In addition to our 14 year old dog, I also lost a 20 year old cat and a 17 year old cat last year - it was a very rough year (but at least they all lived to fairly good old ages). It's never easy... they become so much a part of your daily routine. :(
@Walkyourpath... I was attacked by a dog when very young, but mostly it's because dogs are trained that way or because they are old/ill - not really their fault in some ways - as one person said, they're not inherently "evil".
It's interesting that people brought up the dogs in Oblivion, RE4 and other games... it really is a common mechanism. I think the thing that bothered me so much about COD4 was how realistic the dogs looked. It's also a first person viewpoint, and when you're sneaking through the grass only to see a lunging Shepherd right in your face - well, it just seemed a little too close to reality, which I guess is the point.
No one mentioned any other phobias/discomforts?? I think spiders would be a good one. Not the spiders in most games that are unrealistic and massively huge... but if they could evoke the creepiness of real spiders crawling on your skin - yeah, that would do the "discomfort" thing for me!
... and I'm really glad to know that I'm not "wimpy" and that other people are bothered when they have to kill dogs too! :)
... and Wintersocks... that pic of the puppy is really, really, really making me want to run out and get another dog! LOL!
(# 20) on 06/30/2009 13:27
I forgot to mention something.
Parting with a pet is about the saddest thing that can happen. Which is probably the main reason I don't have one right now. I've seen too many cats die in my life. I don't think I can handle seeing another one go.
If I lived on my island again I would probably have at least 3 cats. Maybe I'll go to the asylum and get an old cat that is left behind and nobody wants because it's old. Cats shouldn't be in an asylum. Maybe I can provide it with a nice home and few good years...
(# 21) on 06/30/2009 13:37
I read your comment "I'm so very sorry to hear about Lofi" and was surprised Blasto hadn't commented earlier, then I checked back and he had. Yeah it was me who was messaging him and I was glad to help Blasto :) As like I said to you I know what it's like to loses animals (for the record Elsa I've lost 2 dogs and 3 cats, I'm only 18 :( ). You could have mentioned my name but it's cool Blasto, and I don't feel ashamed at all man, it was nice chatting to you and thanks again :) Glad I could help.
(# 22) on 06/30/2009 13:37
(# 23) on 06/30/2009 14:04
(# 24) on 06/30/2009 14:45
@Blasto... I'm not surprised that the person was Zippy... even from first impressions he just seems like that kind of a guy! :)
(# 25) on 06/30/2009 15:22
I have multiple cats myself, 8 actually, 3 indoors, 5 outdoors and I love em all, I know the pain of losing some all to well as I lost no less than 4 between november and december, it was a dreadful month, Christmas cheer was hard to come by that day.
Losing one is painful, its horribly painful actually, its a difficult pain to describe but I'd rather have them than not have them regardless of what happens, I love all my kitties and have faith they'll be safe.
Getting another one can really help, the thing you gotta keep in mind is that you're not replacing the animal, nothing will ever replace that pet and all that love you had for it, you're merely moving on and giving all that love you still have left to it.
I can't wait till I move so I can get some dogs too :)
(# 26) on 06/30/2009 15:46
(# 27) on 06/30/2009 15:58
... and so sorry to hear about your losses... especially around Christmas time. :(
(# 28) on 06/30/2009 16:03
(# 29) on 06/30/2009 16:50
Yes, FFVII. I hate snakes. Now, I'm sure you all remember the Zolom? That big snake that hounds you across the wetlands not long after you leave midgar. It's not realistic, it didn't scare me.
But then Sephiroth gets it, and you get a painted backgrounds of the snake battered and impaled. And scaly. And more realistic.
Gave me shivers, which I suppose was the point.
(# 30) on 06/30/2009 17:36
(# 31) on 06/30/2009 17:45
@Celica: I think M&M is the most painful to watch if you love dogs, or if you have/had dogs, or if you've lost a dog. I'm all three, and watching that ending made everyone in my family rather emotional. Looking back, I feel so bad for all of the parents who brought their little kids to the theater to see it. XD Whoops~
@Analoge: And how. I've played exceedingly gory games yet I still can't really stand the sight of blood. And amusingly enough, even on TV shows, I can't watch someone get injected, but that's also due to a personal fear of needles. :3
(# 32) on 06/30/2009 18:08
Before I could take him to the vet, he started having problems breathing and since it was the long weekend, I had no choice but to bring him to the emergency care clinic in town instead of his regular vet.
Cost me $120 to put him down and they did it wrong. They basically overdosed the poor little guy and he didn't fall asleep but instead died a painful death.
The worst part was that my bf was more pissed about the price tag on the vet bill, then the overdose and he told me that he would have killed the hamster himself if he had known what it would have cost to put it down.
To this day, I question whether or not he would have actual killed my hamster to end its suffering.