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Home Controversy updates

V-Tech shootings retold as a flash game

10:45 AM on 05.14.2007, Niero 72 comments

V-Tech shootings retold as a flash game photo
     Controversy

We knew it would happen sooner or later ... and here it is. Newgrounds just published a flash game based on the student shootings at Virginia Tech. This crude third person flash game allows you to play through the events as Cho Seung-Hui, navigating through campus to carry out the massacre methodically. Take a deep sigh and give it a go.

So who made it? Background info on the game designer and quotes from his blog that will make your blood boil after the jump.

The flash designer is Ryan Lambourn, an Australian living in Sydney who goes by the name "PigPen" and runs a site called GooGumProduce.com.  After posting the image above named "Go Cho" he wrote the following on his blog:

"I've been working on a game based on the VTech Massacre! ...yeah, yeah, im a horrible person, i know." 

At least he knows what he's getting himself into. It gets worse. This exchange between him and the FlashPortal operator (that refused to post the game) is also notable:

FP: You should be shot for making that game! Go f*ck off and die b*tch!"

PP:  ORLY? THEN ITS TIME FOR A BARBEQUE! I'll bring the meat, negroes bring the koolaid!

So yeah, he's approximately 48 hours away from getting his head kicked in by somebody. Nice MegaMan shirt, though. 

Although the game isn't as polished as the others it will be compared to (Namely I'm OK and Super Columbine Massacre RPG), PigPen's game is just short of awful. In its defense, it's short and has structure. If you don't follow the plan accordingly, the cops capture you early. If you walk into a classroom, the game engine makes the walls transparent. When you fire shots near pedestrians, they'll freak out and start screaming and running. It's amateur but not too bad for a Flash platform.

The icing on the cake is definitely the soundtrack -- Collective Soul's 1994 single "Shine" plays on a constant loop in the background. The song's uplifting lyrics juxtaposed to the shooting is just about the creepiest thing in the game. Why that song? Ryan notes:

"It was one of Cho's favorite songs." 

When you add this all up, it seems like the V-Tech shooting are secondary to the details put into the game. Although it's never stated, I can't help but feel that this his tribute to Cho. What a waste of talent.

 


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bluestinger90's Avatar
bluestinger90 at 05/14/2007 10:50
NOPE!
brad drac's Avatar
brad drac at 05/14/2007 10:52
STFU athiestium! The internet is serious business!!!

I'm not even going to give this pathetic waste of oxygen the credit of an internet hit. I'm all for laughing at tragedy, but this doesn't look like a very good joke. Just some pathetic loser's vie for attention. Fuck him.
brad drac's Avatar
brad drac at 05/14/2007 10:53
-> bluestinger: "First" comments are not too popular here. Say something worthwhile/funny or just plain don't bother.
fearian's Avatar
fearian at 05/14/2007 10:55
Too soon. this game will piss off the offendable people out there, and its going to bring down the reputations of kames like super columbine rpg massacre and they will be taken less seriously.

that said I so think he's quite funny...
BlindsideDork's Avatar
BlindsideDork at 05/14/2007 10:55
Something worthwhile/funny
Mabec's Avatar
Mabec at 05/14/2007 10:56
This will be banned in a minute, hold on...
BluDesign's Avatar
BluDesign at 05/14/2007 10:59
It was inevitable.

So, what networks is Jack Thompson going to be going on today? I wanna get my DVR lined up.
HighVoltage's Avatar
HighVoltage at 05/14/2007 11:00
I beat it. Kinda sucked though.
Niero's Avatar
Niero at 05/14/2007 11:01
Come to think of it, it reminds me of when Australians were outraged that somebody made a Crocodile Hunter death sim on Newgrounds. What goes around comes around, I guess.
BluDesign's Avatar
BluDesign at 05/14/2007 11:03
@bluestinger

Don't do this. This isn't slashdot, and it's not AICN. Give it a rest. If you don't have anything to say, posting "first" is about as pointless as stating out loud "I like masturbation" at a friend's wedding.

You'll notice that most posts up on this site actually have something to say, and rarely throw up "first" posts or asinine posts in general. Unless you're me or Snaileb. Or... Well, dammit, just stop posting "first" is all.
Kif 's Avatar
Kif at 05/14/2007 11:05
No offense, but the premise doesn't really sound like a good game. I thought he locked the doors from the outside and just randomly shot people in one classroom with 2 pistols? It's not like Columbine where 2 people trolled a school with a crapload of weapons.
Toneman's Avatar
Toneman at 05/14/2007 11:09
If you're going to make a flash game about a tragedy that will make people hate you, at least make it not suck.
HighVoltage's Avatar
HighVoltage at 05/14/2007 11:10
dvddesign,

stating "I like masturbation" at a friends wedding is not pointless. It's hilarious. If one of my friends do that at my wedding I would laugh my ass off.

Oh, and I agree with the posting "first" as a comment. Stupid.
galagabug 's Avatar
galagabug at 05/14/2007 11:17
look at me! look at me! look at me!

yay attention.

BluDesign's Avatar
BluDesign at 05/14/2007 11:18
@kif

I doubt this would be a "faithful" translation of the events as they occured.

I guess after Mr. Lambourn gets done this game entirely, he can move onto his often rumored Holocaust simulator. I imagine that'll be a blast. Maybe he could start working on adapting Ethinc Cleansing to the Source engine.
BlindsideDork's Avatar
BlindsideDork at 05/14/2007 11:18
Sweet, gots a digg link...is that good or bad?
bhive01's Avatar
bhive01 at 05/14/2007 11:19
I played it just to see what it was. If it had not been based around a very recent, very chilling event at a US university I would have enjoyed it more. Choi wanted to be a martyr and this is only helping him. I suggest, if you're curious, just listen to Brad Drac.

Just horrible.
Joe Burling's Avatar
Joe Burling at 05/14/2007 11:22
It won't be banned if it is hosted in Australia. Also, Jack Thompson wouldn't be able to do a thing about this. The guy is just trying to get fame by exploiting the situation. Whatever. I'm not upset or anything but I do think that he's a tool.
wardrox's Avatar
wardrox at 05/14/2007 11:24
*shakes head and pulls the "why did you do that?... shamefull noob" face*
BahamutZero's Avatar
BahamutZero at 05/14/2007 11:27
"I like masturbation" at a friend's wedding
BluDesign's Avatar
BluDesign at 05/14/2007 11:27
@highvoltage

The "masturbation" thing. Sure, you'd laugh, I would, so would about 1/3 of the people there. Maybe the point would speak more to your mom or grandmother. Watch their reaction to the line. That's what I was aiming for.

Sorry. Next time I'll clarify who we need to address our masturbatory habits to when we're out in public.

In the mean time, don't admit you like to surf on sites for tentacle rape to anyone you value as a friend or figure of authority.

EvilElvis's Avatar
EvilElvis at 05/14/2007 11:29
tis thy tool be flamebait
HighVoltage's Avatar
HighVoltage at 05/14/2007 11:33
dvddesign,

that advice would've been helpful about two days ago. Now I can't look at my parents in the eyes......
Pyramid Head's Avatar
Pyramid Head at 05/14/2007 11:38
He did it for the LULZ!
BluDesign's Avatar
BluDesign at 05/14/2007 11:39
Actually it's a lot easier on them if you show them, either parent, in person, and look dead-on in their eyes while you're doing it. Follow them if you have to. At least out of courtesy, carry some tissues or a sock. Your mom doesn't want to have to clean up your messes her whole life.

@anyone who might get upset at this thread's digression...

The guy's a douche, what more can be said?
ghettosmurf's Avatar
ghettosmurf at 05/14/2007 11:43
Meh, this thing doesn't come close to thought-provoking, which is the only reason to make it, as was done in SCRPG. Just a dude with too much time on his hands and an itch to get his 15 minutes.
Mxyzptlk's Avatar
Mxyzptlk at 05/14/2007 11:46
Eh, boring and not enough funny with the tastelessness. Waste of talent is giving this guy a little too much credit. The rubber duckies were a nice touch though.
Bluefusion's Avatar
Bluefusion at 05/14/2007 11:47
I believe this falls under the category of:

Just because you have a right to do something doesn't mean its sensible.

I don't blame the media if they jump all over this--they earn their living by showcasing bad news to shock people, and this will offend a lot of people.
JonDarkwood's Avatar
JonDarkwood at 05/14/2007 11:47
I'm a student at VT, and while the game is terrible, being around the internet for so long really taught me to deal with things well.


However, I wonder if he still lives with his parents? Do you think maybe they'd like to see a copy of the game he made?


Registrant:
Ryan Lambourn (6TS84) masterpigpen@yahoo.com
8 Barossa Close, St. Clair
Sydney, NSW 2759
Australia
Phone: +1 (029) 670-2947
joepekula's Avatar
joepekula at 05/14/2007 11:47
I wish a dingo ate this kid as a baby
SpiderChrist's Avatar
SpiderChrist at 05/14/2007 11:49
meh, Vtech done it long ago
http://vtechtrainer.ytmnd.com/
JonDarkwood's Avatar
JonDarkwood at 05/14/2007 11:49
Wow, looking at this guy's blog, I can tell his mentality is no better than any one of the other NGfags running around the place.

LOL GRAPE PIE FUNNY RANDOM KEKEKE
Mxyzptlk's Avatar
Mxyzptlk at 05/14/2007 11:51
@ JonDarkwood:

Haha, PowerWord: IRL Name ftw. Wonder if that'll stay up though.
JonDarkwood's Avatar
JonDarkwood at 05/14/2007 11:53
It'll stay up somewhere. =)
BlindsideDork's Avatar
BlindsideDork at 05/14/2007 11:54
I don't want to talk to you!

I just want BANG BANG BANG!
Coonskin05's Avatar
Coonskin05 at 05/14/2007 13:22
Jack Thompson just came.
rpbowlinggod's Avatar
rpbowlinggod at 05/14/2007 13:25
If anyone wants to hear the comparison to Napoleon Dynamite go here
http://www.92kqrs.com//sectional.asp?id=5898
free touch's Avatar
free touch at 05/14/2007 13:37
domataos's Avatar
domataos at 05/14/2007 13:52
Meh, it wasn't well made and there wern't enough people. If you're going to burn in hell for making a game at least make it playable.
AngelsDontBurn's Avatar
AngelsDontBurn at 05/14/2007 13:52
I agree with boba. Columbine Massacre actually had alot more to it, so sure to some it was very racey, but to others it was artistic. This is just straight to the point and has no thought at all. Though I really do think the engine is pretty cool for a flash based game. He should of used his talent for something better, cause in the end this was a waste and feels like nothing more than a cry for attention. But hey, douchebags will be douchebags.
PSIq0ut's Avatar
PSIq0ut at 05/14/2007 14:09
It's funny, Newgrounds originally became famous from posting controversial content including Pico's School, which is a direct reference to columbine.

This was going to happen sooner or later granted it still seems a bit too soon but essentially it WAS going to happen.

This is the world we live in, and this is the internet. Anyone hugely offended by this needs to quit the internet because theres worse stuff out there.
Rpg_Worshiper's Avatar
Rpg_Worshiper at 05/14/2007 14:17
It's fucking evil and you morons are completely disregarding the actual facts. You all seem to think that it doesn't have a negative effect because it's just some little game that some dumbass came up with. What the hell is wrong with you people? Why don't we just make a fucking holocaust game and play as Hitler? I'm sure the lot of you would think that's great fun.
Necros's Avatar
Necros at 05/14/2007 14:20
It took years before someone even dared to make Super Columbine Massacre RPG, and it was still highly controversial. When that game's creator set out to make his game, he knew exactly what statement he wanted to make and tried to do it in an artful way, even if it turned out to be kinda crude. To jump onto a similar tragedy so quickly and just churn out a game with little artistic merit - that's low.
Aurain's Avatar
Aurain at 05/14/2007 14:33
Every time someone gets pissed off at this game, the creator gets a little more joy out of making it. He only made it to get a rise out of you. Don't like it? Don't play it.
BahamutZero's Avatar
BahamutZero at 05/14/2007 14:47
a holocaust game where play as hitler? is there a free beta? will it be an mmorpg? where do I sign up? I bet it has awesome weapons
RWarrior1CO's Avatar
RWarrior1CO at 05/14/2007 14:58
Yay for no standards! Doing anything you want is ok, now!
lwesquire's Avatar
lwesquire at 05/14/2007 15:09
Holocaust sim?

*Dodge Jew King's smash attack*

*Run round other side, super Hitler fist!*

Nope, can't be bothered to play either.
kurabi's Avatar
kurabi at 05/14/2007 15:14
So, I guess we mainly agree that the clusterf**ck reaction from the mainstream will be the bigger issue. They seem to enjoy giving free publicity to games no one cares about.

@JonDarkwood -- Dude, how did you even find that info? Is this guy advertising himself as a designer on the web somewhere or what? Wow. I hope no one attacks him or anything, but. Wow.
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