Well, we didn't expect that did we? When you slap an Adults Only rating on a website for a supposed multiplatform game, you know you're being trolled. Funny thing is, most people expected it to be something related to America.
It turns out the trailer for Slavery: The Game was a viral for a Dutch documentary series, with a children's "Junior" edition series alongside it, to be aired on one of the Dutch public networks from September 18th onwards. Dutch gaming site Gamekings -- which has its own TV show on MTV over here -- interviewed one the documentary's researchers to explain what it is all about and to help raise awareness about the topic of slavery, which has given our small nation riches and freedom by means of exporting violence before it was cool.
If you happen to be Dutch, you probably don't know the intricacies of our slaver past since, at least when I went to school, it was never a big topic in any history classes. So you should watch that documentary! If you're not Dutch for some strange reason, carry on and wait until some indie slavery game eventually does pop up. As slavery is sadly something that still exists to this day, I doubt any controversy and debate surrounding the topic will fade away any time soon.
Either way, check out this interview between our national pride Boris van de Ven and researcher Lyangelo Vasquez as they discuss the viral, the topic of slavery right up to today, and the difference in reactions to the viral between regions. Hell, in the '90s this was all I knew about my country's involvement with slavery.
Maurice Tan Maurice Tan does his Associate Editing from The Netherlands in a reality-shattering time zone. After working as a university lecturer in Psychology and Communications teaching game studies and the merits of Keyboard Cat, he now spends most of his time posting news, previews, reviews, and features about industry stuff or all things PC and strategy. He is also a connoisseur of licensed games, as long as they have achievements. Likes Deus Ex, Colonization, Mass Effect, TIE Fighter, and his iPod Touch.
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>inb4 people start making fun of americans for the hell of it, claiming they were selfish for thinking the game was related to them, followed by the typical slinging of the insult americunt
America is a huge violator for slavery. Slavery is wrong. Would it be amusing for a video game? Oh probably. We have games depicting sex, extreme violence and all that jazz so why not slavery? I had a wicked time playing Fallout 3 and getting rich quick off slavery! People need to understand that pixels don't have souls.
I'd forgotten about the Dutch involvement in slave trading. I guess it was such a lucrative business that everyone got their hands into it, including the Africans themselves.
@EDOfyingFilms: Not hyper sensitive in any way, just trying to call out on the potential hipsters wanting to be cool because they hate something. Like, you know, a good 75% of the internet. If not more.
I'm not bothered by the criticisms of the country, people are entitled to make legitimate criticisms and commentaries about things on the net... I'm just bored/fed up of seeing the same typical comment. That and I wanted to rob some pretentious dick of the ability to say something that arrogant. I just figured beating them to the punch and pointing out the stupidity of such a comment is better than letting some snob stroke their ego.
Being on topic though, I do admit the subject in question intrigues me, if only from a 'So, what's different about it in another country/modern time?' sort of thing. Seems like it might be informative and if I didn't have a crappy attention span and higher interest, I might check out the documentary. :P
@Theplayer131: Don't joke about that shit man, them damn terrorists and al-kayduh are around every corner, trying to rape our women and blow up our buildings. [/sarcasm]
I'm accepting of the fact that a comment I imagined to pop up might never have popped up but hey, I've got nothing better to do. It's raining outside and I'm waiting for a download on Live to finish so I though, 'Why not attempt at making a witty commentary on the hate filled mindset of the internet masses?'
only just saw that game trailer and I could easily see it was dutch of origin judging from the ship lines and the not to obvious but still audible accent the announcer has
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Contest:
2:30 PM on 09.07.2011 | 
Wait no I didnt
These guys have it backwards.
I dont even,.,
I'm not bothered by the criticisms of the country, people are entitled to make legitimate criticisms and commentaries about things on the net... I'm just bored/fed up of seeing the same typical comment. That and I wanted to rob some pretentious dick of the ability to say something that arrogant. I just figured beating them to the punch and pointing out the stupidity of such a comment is better than letting some snob stroke their ego.
Being on topic though, I do admit the subject in question intrigues me, if only from a 'So, what's different about it in another country/modern time?' sort of thing. Seems like it might be informative and if I didn't have a crappy attention span and higher interest, I might check out the documentary. :P
Well leuk dat de mensen hier nu iets van Gamekings zien :)
Oh, if I was from the U.S., I'd have a lot more to worry than just random strangers from the internet.
(just kidding)
I'm accepting of the fact that a comment I imagined to pop up might never have popped up but hey, I've got nothing better to do. It's raining outside and I'm waiting for a download on Live to finish so I though, 'Why not attempt at making a witty commentary on the hate filled mindset of the internet masses?'
I was partially successful... I think.
=(