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Players can get 'high' in 'Narc' video game
Game criticized as all-time low
From Alex Walker
CNN
ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- In the first-person video game "Narc," published by Midway, you play an undercover police officer busting drug dealers.
Except in this game, your cop character can take the drugs he confiscates -- and the illicit substances can enhance performance.
Narc's publishers at Midway say the game is all about choices, and the consequences of those choices. The following is an excerpt of a statement released to CNN by the company's chief marketing officer, Steve Allison:
"The drugs in Narc affect game play -- addiction, and crime and punishment are predominant themes in the story. Ultimately, the players who choose to take drugs will face consequences; they will experience the highs and lows of this culture, but following this path will ultimately lead to failure."
Family groups that have fought against violent and sexual content in video games for years, say this new "high" in gaming is an all-time low.
Psychologist David Walsh, spokesman for the National Institute on Family and the Media, does not buy Midway's choice-consequence justification, and says drug use in the game creates curiosity and allure for players.
"They [Midway] do portray the extreme that the use of drugs can lead to bad outcomes, and the game penalizes you for misusing drugs. But the flip side of that message is that some drug use actually enhances play and enhances your performance. That's the glorification part. That's the dangerous message: Drugs are OK, just don't overdo it."
But Narc is an M-rated title, and designers at Midway say -- in the same statement released to CNN -- that the game is for adults, and "offers adult gamers the chance to play through an interactive crime saga where players face the temptations and choices of an undercover police officer."
Walsh concedes Midway is not promoting the title for children, but says he knows from experience that teenagers gravitate towards M-rated games that generate a lot of buzz. Popular titles such as Grand Theft Auto and Halo 2, both rated for 17+ gamers, are enormously appealing to teenagers, says Walsh. He says chances are that a game like Narc could end up in their hands, and warp their minds:
"Games are interactive and psychologically powerful. We have to watch what our kids watch because the teenage brain is a work in progress. The experiences we have during growth spurts in the brain have a greater impact on the formation of attitudes, values and norms than at any other time in our lives."
"We want our young people going into adulthood with a healthy set of values and attitudes toward health and toward how to treat other people. A lot of these games glorify violence. Now we have a game that glorifies drug use. Where do we draw the line?"
According to the Entertainment Software Association's 2004 Essential Facts Guide, the average age of a video game player is 30 years old. And the $7.3 billion gaming industry rivals the U.S. motion-picture industry, according to the same guide. Midway's publishers point to these statistics, and say there is no reason video games should not be able to take on the same mature themes as movies.
Narc has been banned in Australia, and Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has denounced the game in his push to pass the Safe Games Act in his state.
Computer-generated acid trip
"I would normally say 'just say no' to drugs, except in this case they've been replaced for power-ups. If you were playing Super Mario Bros., a 'magic mushroom' would make you bigger and more powerful. Here, it's kind of the same theory," says video game reviewer Scott Steinberg.
Marijuana, as you light a virtual joint and take a long drag, causes the screen to become a hazy green. The drug slows time for criminals in the game, allowing your cop character to chase down and arrest them easier.
LSD helps differentiate friend from foe, so your character knows whom to confront; allies grow wacky court jester heads, and enemies become devil-headed cartoons. Trippy music and psychedelic colors accompany your computer-generated acid trip.
Other drugs in Narc include speed, ecstasy and crack. Crack, after the distinct sound of someone huffing on a pipe, gives players a one-shot-one-kill skill. Your crackhead cop character suddenly becomes an expert marksman.
Drug use may give you super powers in the game, but abuse can cause addiction. Protodone -- the game's version of methodone, can curb your cravings. Otherwise, addiction can lead to withdrawal.
But unlike real-life, you can kick your virtual habit after a few skillful clicks on the game controller.
Players can avoid all of this, however, by adopting a "just say no" attitude in the game. The illicit activity is all a matter of choice, says Steinberg.
"It's entirely up to the player. You can be a good cop, or you can be a bad cop, but there are consequences. I can use drugs or sell drugs to the citizenry. The thing is, there are random drug tests. I can get busted, develop addictions, or my fellow officers can come chasing me."
The M-rated, 17-and-older title retails for $19.99 and is available for the Xbox and PlayStation 2.
Find this article at:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/fun.gam...arc/index.html
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screenie
bah! Nothing beats Jet.. it's one of the best highs out there. Though Psycho is pretty good as well.
That's actually hilarious. Drugs are ok, just don't overdo it kids!
It was inevitable that someone would do such a game, wasn't it? I mean, with so many games about criminal life, it was just natural that the next step would be a game where the characters are actually using drugs. And, as far as I know, the developers of this game are not lying to the gamers: drugs can enhance your performance in certain situations and/or activities.
I don't think that someone would actually begin to use drugs after playing the game. It is probable that the gamer already use them.
'Yep, I've been drinking again.'
The drug thing has been there since the first NARC game in the 80's.
"Our scientific power has out run out spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men." - Martin Luther King Jr.
"A cynical, mercenary, demagogic press will produce in time a people as base as itself." - Joseph Pulitzer
Yeah, Oerdin but IIRC, you only seize drugs as contraband for points. Here, it seems that when you take drugs there are positive effects that enhance your abilities.
While I don't exactly approve this game, I don't support the idea of banning it. Parents have responsiblity to be more involved in what games their kids play and its not our fault if some of them have not been owning up to that.
Why ban this one and not that Sims version of the Playboy Mansion?
Ah managed to find a screenie of the orginial Narc gameI rented it long time ago and it was fun - I used to imagine myself being a bada$$ narc cop busting those druggie scum.
*cough* Fallout *cough*Originally posted by Barinthus
Yeah, Oerdin but IIRC, you only seize drugs as contraband for points. Here, it seems that when you take drugs there are positive effects that enhance your abilities.
While I don't exactly approve this game, I don't support the idea of banning it. Parents have responsiblity to be more involved in what games their kids play and its not our fault if some of them have not been owning up to that.
Why ban this one and not that Sims version of the Playboy Mansion?
in case my earlier post wasn't clear about this.
Fallout you take drugs, and they have pretty good effects on your character. Though you stand to get addicted to them. They don't have the modern day names. As I said, they use words like Jet and Psycho.
Yeah? Haven't played that one.
*gasp* PhilistineOriginally posted by Barinthus
Yeah? Haven't played that one.
Yet another example of how our fundamentalist christian ratings board operates.Narc has been banned in Australia
There's no game in The Sims. It's not a game. It's like watching a tank of goldfishes and feed them occasionally. - Urban Ranger
I'm surpised* the same people opposed to this aren't opposed to KOTOR - I mean, there, you're offered the choice to kill people for a few credits.
*actually I'm not
I would bust Kuci if i was a narc cop
What type of idiot quotes himself
-paramir
Fortunately it doesn't seem such a great loss with this game. On the other hand, it does set a disturbing precedent. The Australian version of GTA3 for example does not allow you to pick up prostitutes due to that part of the game being banned here. One day they may ban something that I would like to play.Originally posted by Qilue
Yet another example of how our fundamentalist christian ratings board operates.
I'm building a wagon! On some other part of the internets, obviously (but not that other site).
Most stores prohibit the sale of M rated games to minors. Where are the parents in all of this?
Most stores consider that a "suggestion".
I'm building a wagon! On some other part of the internets, obviously (but not that other site).
I'm 13 and i ahve sevral freinds who can pass for 18, they jsut get the games for us, or i have my 18 year old brother do it
What type of idiot quotes himself
-paramir
I thought prostitution was semi-legal there. What's up with that?Originally posted by Skanky Burns
Fortunately it doesn't seem such a great loss with this game. On the other hand, it does set a disturbing precedent. The Australian version of GTA3 for example does not allow you to pick up prostitutes due to that part of the game being banned here. One day they may ban something that I would like to play.
Fully legal, although heavily regulated (at least it is here in Qld)(less so in other states).
There's no game in The Sims. It's not a game. It's like watching a tank of goldfishes and feed them occasionally. - Urban Ranger
I tried to buy a 18 title in a game store and the guy had to get his manager because he was too young to sell it too meAt least there is one guy out there doing his job right
So 'family groups' have lost the fight against having drugs in films, so they fight their inclusion in games as well. If we are going to have restrictions on what can be included in entertainment, is it not common sense to have the same restrictions across the board? Is the only reason that games should be super restricted is because they are interactive?
Safer worlds through superior firepower
Prostitution is fine. Violence is fine. Combine the two of them, or even make it a possibility and the censors have a fit. The problem was that you (the player) could use the services of a prostitute and then bash/kill her afterwards to get your money back. Sexual violence is aOriginally posted by Dissident
I thought prostitution was semi-legal there. What's up with that?
I'm building a wagon! On some other part of the internets, obviously (but not that other site).
We should start the 'Let Skanky pick up as many prostitutes as he wants' campaign.Originally posted by Skanky Burns
Fortunately it doesn't seem such a great loss with this game. On the other hand, it does set a disturbing precedent. The Australian version of GTA3 for example does not allow you to pick up prostitutes due to that part of the game being banned here.
You realise that actual prostitution is legal here?
Circumventing the ban is rather easy though. Just set your language to English (Canadian) rather than English (Ozzie) and it works. Tis of dubious benefit though.
I'm building a wagon! On some other part of the internets, obviously (but not that other site).
The campaign sure worked fast. I just don't know my own power.Originally posted by Skanky Burns
You realise that actual prostitution is legal here?
True story.
A brothel opened up in one of the towns here on the north coast. Now this was a legal tax-paying enterprise complete with business statements etc. There was also outcry from good christians who formed a community action group to get the place closed down. The brothel is still open for business.
How does that american saying go, "money talks and bulls*** walks"?
The actual prostitution laws forbit streetwalker type ones, but they are allowed to operate legally in a brothel.
There's no game in The Sims. It's not a game. It's like watching a tank of goldfishes and feed them occasionally. - Urban Ranger
Why?Originally posted by paramir
I would bust Kuci if i was a narc cop
Well, Civ3 should have been banned too, it has forced labor and you can capture slaves.
'Yep, I've been drinking again.'
And you can wantonly commit genocide!
Naw, the bad guys throw needles at you which took away health but made you super strong for a while.Originally posted by Barinthus
Yeah, Oerdin but IIRC, you only seize drugs as contraband for points. Here, it seems that when you take drugs there are positive effects that enhance your abilities.
"Our scientific power has out run out spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men." - Martin Luther King Jr.
"A cynical, mercenary, demagogic press will produce in time a people as base as itself." - Joseph Pulitzer
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