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Parappa creator wants less violence in games photo

Kick and punch may be all in the mind, but Parappa the Rapper creator Masaya Matsuura doesn't want so much of it in videogames. Speaking with Joystiq, the man responsible for Major Minor's Majestic March views videogame violence as a problem that needs to be stamped out.

"Reducing the volume of games that involve hurting people with knives and guns," said Matsuura, when asked if there was one videogame problem he could instantly solve. "The recent success of music games and also family games for the Wii springs to mind. Undoubtedly there are other possibilities out there that are as yet undiscovered."

The designer also has fears about the recent peripheral craze, wondering if it's a fad destined to be discarded: "I’ve been thinking about peripheral-based games these days. It is great that they’ve gotten really popular but I’m concerned about people throwing them out after the boom subsides. On the other hand it is true that games need to have more tangible experiences.

"I have a toy piano which is not special at all but it’s precious to me. There is no doubt that it’s just a toy and no matter how hard I practice it’s impossible for me to deeply express myself musically with it but despite that I probably wouldn’t let it go. I want all games and peripherals to be cherished this way."

Something tells me that DJ Hero is not going to be as cherished as a sentimental toy piano, but that's just me. What do you make of this man's words? Less violence and more peripherals that we can learn to treasure -- is that a future you can believe in?


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23 comments | showing # 1 to 23

GEMPadre036's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 15:31
GEMPadre036
I like what he is saying. I feel like there has been both a violence and peripheral overload, and a change of pace for both would be welcome in my book.
Loogibot's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 15:34
Loogibot
I like what he's saying, as unrealistic as it may be. I wouldn't mind a violent-less future in videogames, so long as the option is still available and expanded. And I wouldn't mind if more devs based the peripherals we already have to make more games. It could happen, but I doubt it will.
ScrapmetaL's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 15:35
ScrapmetaL
No, fuck that, I love experimental stuff, but I also want to blow shit up.
Onlineatron's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 15:38
Onlineatron
Violence is great... put in the right context.

Take the God of War series/God of War III demo.

The brutality may seem unnecessary to spectators... but when educated in Kratos back story and who he is battling against it is completely just.
Xzyliac's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 15:39
Xzyliac
Where does he say more peripherals? Who the fuck in their right mind wants more peripherals?

I'd love more games where there's less emphasis on violence. Just no more band games and peripherals.

How about a new PaRappa?
Loogibot's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 15:46
Loogibot
@Xzyliac: The wording is weird, but I don't think Jim meant specifically more peripherals. I think he meant to treasure them more.
Im OK's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 15:56
Im OK
More variety would be nice, yes, as opposed to how it is now with somewhere around 80-90%* of all games currently being in the shoot-stab-kill genre.

* I would say that these statistics are most likely at least 60% accurate.

@LoopholeJumper

As soon as planet earth ceases its habit of endless war, pain and suffering, we can talk about video games being peaceful. Until then, shut the hell up.

So,you're basically saying that games must reflect reality or else they're not worth talking about? Man, sucks to be Tetris, I guess.
free touch's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 15:57
free touch
I think the man should stop talking, and get back to making parappa 3. Or Umjammer 2, or anything for that matter.
ArrestedDeveloper's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 15:58
ArrestedDeveloper
It's fun to play with guns and knives.
It's fun to take the goomba's lives.
Doesn't he know that violence is fun?
Violence is best when it's one on one.


U Rappin' Cool
munkee's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 16:02
munkee
Kick, Punch, its all in the mind. If you wanna test me im sure you'll find the things i teach ya are sure to beat ya. But, never the less you'll get a lesson from teacher. NOW KICK!
Xzyliac's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 16:02
Xzyliac
@Loogibot
Ah. I didn't think about it like that.
D-503's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 16:06
D-503
Absolutely!
D-503's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 16:14
D-503
@Loogibot
I hope that's what he meant.
lelk's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 16:30
lelk
i think we need more peripheral violence
RBinator's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 18:16
RBinator
With people's love of violence, I doubt we'll be seeing less of that in gaming anytime soon unless we somehow reach world peace.

As for peripherals, if developers are gonna make them, they better be able to be useful down the road. Isn't it hard enough to keep a set of peripherals for Guitar Hero and/or Rock Band lying around. Do we really need something like the skateboard peripheral for Tony Hawk Ride adding to the others, except possibly not getting reused down the road?
RenagadePanda's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 18:17
RenagadePanda
Sounds like a great time to bring back Jet Set Radio.

Screw violence, civil disobedience is where it's at.
Grawly's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 18:20
Grawly
Actually, playing Guitar Hero makes me a lot more likely to get pissed and whack a drummer than relieving my violent frustrations through over the top violence. But I would like to see more mainstream games with situations that can't be resolved by violence.
agentgray's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 18:49
agentgray
He should know.

Playing Parappa drives me to violence.
Gee-Man's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 21:00
Gee-Man
While unrealistic, I like his message. There will always be room for conflict-based games, but I think more games where the goal wasn't achieved by stabbing/shooting/burning/maiming/punching/destroying your enemies would be nice. I'll always enjoy over-the-top violence like MadWorld and Borderlands, but every now and then, something like Harvest Moon is nice too.
Bobbe Lee's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 07:52
Bobbe Lee
Wow now that is some pretty cool stuff dude!

RT
www.complete-privacy.at.tc
ChaosTeaCup's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 11:01
ChaosTeaCup
I like violence in games, but then I like violent comics, and violent films (I'm not a violent person, though - generally) What does he propose the future of gaming should hold for me? I'm not going back to squashing fucking mushrooms.

I hated Parappa the rapper. Biggest cob of shit I've ever played infact.
Even if it did kickstart the whole rhythm game genre. I've never played a rhythm game since. Whoah. I've never played guitar hero. I do, however, play a beautiful Sunburst Fender Telecaster. Perhaps this is why I think rhythm games stink? But not in a snobby way, it's just that I have a studio set-up, and so that kind of thing just doesn't appeal to me.
sprldr's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 11:13
sprldr
There is nothing wrong with violent games, absolutely nothing at all. Instead of saying that the industry should make some decent non-violent games, why doesn't he get off his ass and do it himself?
gains's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 13:12
gains
He did. What do you think that screenshot is at the top of the article?
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