OUTRAGEOUS!

Do we really need this?

Published on November 23, 2004 By iamheather In Current Events

A new video game allows players to simulate the assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy.

The release of "JFK Reloaded" is timed to coincide with the 41st anniversary of Kennedy's murder in Dallas. Designers wanted to demonstrate a lone gunman was able to kill the president.

Traffic Games said the objective was for a player to fire three shots at Kennedy's motorcade from assassin Lee Harvey Oswald's digitally recreated sixth-floor perch in the Texas School Book Depository.

Points are awarded or subtracted based on how accurately the shots match the official version of events as documented in by the Warren Commission, which investigated Kennedy's assassination.

Shooting the image of Kennedy in the right spots in the right sequence adds to the score, while "errors" like shooting first lady Jacqueline Kennedy lead to deductions.

Each shot can be replayed in slow motion, and the bullets can be tracked as they travel and pass through Kennedy's digitally recreated body. Players can choose to see blood by pressing a "blood effects" option.

Players can view the motorcade from a number of angles, including the perspective of filmmaker Abraham Zapruder and a view from the "grassy knoll" where some conspiracy theorists believe a second gunman was stationed.

This is the epitome of humanity's total lack of respect for anything! Is nothing sacred? I am outraged! I am sickened, mortified, and sad. Is this game really entertaining? Could it possibly "teach" anything? Could the designers have just used "technology" to make a documentary demonstrating their beliefs? I am almost speechless.

And yes, I know some will claim it is the "free speech" in action. That if I don't like it...don't buy it! Please, Kennedy family members must be pained by such irreverence.

I encourage anyone else upset about this despicable game to give your feedback here. Let them know what you really think!

Comments

Danny Bassette

on Nov 23, 2004

While I do see some value to a simulation of events like this, mainly to help prove/create theories about what happened, that value is overwhelmed by the insanity of selling it to the public. I could see the government using a similar tool, but it's about forty years too late for that. And for that matter, a first person shooter where you only shoot three times? It can't take long to finish, and not much replay value either.

iamheather

on Nov 23, 2004

Could the designers have just used "technology" to make a documentary demonstrating their beliefs?

While I do see some value to a simulation of events like this, mainly to help prove/create theories about what happened

Yes, on that we agree. The use of the technology is definitely valuable, but this is totally disgusting.

Danny Bassette

on Nov 23, 2004

They are holding a contest for the person to 'best' kill the president. As if it wasn't bad enough in the first place...

Dr Guy

on Nov 23, 2004

Please, Kennedy family members must be pained by such irreverence.

A spokesman for Ted Kennedy has already condemned it. So you can update that from MUST to ARE.

citahellion

on Nov 23, 2004

Maybe they'll make a sequel that will render this one tame by comparison.... a little flight-simulation game called "Hit the Tower, Win a Prize!"

dharmagrl

on Nov 23, 2004

I'm personally disgusted and dismayed. I have an odd sense of humor...but even I didn't find this funny, not in the slightest.

Can you imagine how Caroline must feel? Knowing the thousands of idiots everywhere are going to be re-encacting her father's death?

Phoenixboi

on Nov 23, 2004

How come this can be allowed to be sold?
Shouldnt there just be a total ban ?

shadesofgrey

on Nov 23, 2004

Good article Iamheather.

I've noticed that when it comes to the Kennedy's people sometimes forget that they are in fact, real people with real feelings. I remember the day that JFK, Jr's plane went down. I was interning in the Senate and walked into another Senate office to deliver something only to see that they had put a small plane at the bottom of their fish tank--it was nothing short of disgusting.

If they were trying to create more theories, than shouldn't the game be reserved for those working on the case or in law enforcement--not the general public. It's twisted. I don't think there should be a ban on it, but I think we need to let this company know that we are not interested in this product. Thanks for the link so that we can do that!

citahellion

on Nov 23, 2004

How come this can be allowed to be sold?
Shouldnt there just be a total ban ?

On what possible grounds, PB??

Sure it's tasteless and insensitive, but it's also of interest to millions of people. Probably mostly conspiracy theorists, but still.
The best way to object is to write the company and tell them what you think. (And don't buy it, or other items that they produce.)

iamheather

on Nov 23, 2004

Reply By: Dr. GuyPosted: Tuesday, November 23, 2004Please, Kennedy family members must be pained by such irreverence.A spokesman for Ted Kennedy has already condemned it. So you can update that from MUST to ARE.

Thank you, Dr. Guy. I certainly will.

Maybe they'll make a sequel that will render this one tame by comparison.... a little flight-simulation game called "Hit the Tower, Win a Prize!"

I ranted about that exact same thing to my husband last night. What? You get to be a terrorist and hijack a plane, crash it into the twin towers, and the pentagon! Disgusting!

I'm personally disgusted and dismayed. I have an odd sense of humor...but even I didn't find this funny, not in the slightest.

As do I dharma. As an avid gamer, I have tons of so-called violent games, but this goes too far! Is nothing sacred from the almighty dollar? Must tragedies be glorified?

I don't think there should be a ban on it, but I think we need to let this company know that we are not interested in this product. Thanks for the link so that we can do that!

I don't think there should be a ban either. Letting them know what we think is the most important part of my article. Public outrage may at least get them thinking. Thank you shadeofgrey for supporting this cause.

it's also of interest to millions of people.

I pray you are wrong about that citahellion. I should hope millions of people would not be interested in play-acting the assassination of an American president. These types of "studies" should remain in the area of documentary film making, not entertainment gaming.

Texas Wahine

on Nov 23, 2004

This is the epitome of humanity's total lack of respect for anything! Is nothing sacred?

I see so many things day in and day out that make me wonder. I agree, iamheather, this is very low . . . to find entertainment in an American tragedy is just disgusting.

citahellion

on Nov 23, 2004

Well, I was speaking in the broader sense that the JFK Assassination is of interest to millions of people. I hope that the Lee Harvey Oswald Simulator tanks as it so richly deserves to.

iamheather

on Nov 23, 2004

Well, I was speaking in the broader sense that the JFK Assassination is of interest to millions of people. I hope that the Lee Harvey Oswald Simulator tanks as it so richly deserves to.

Whew...thanks for clearing that up. I understand now, and in that we totally agree then.

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