Should we boycott Shadow Complex?

Should we boycott Shadow Complex?

For a game that has received almost nothing but unanimous critical acclaim and has been hotly anticipated by gamers ever since it was announced at E3, that seems to be quite a bizarre, almost ridiculous question. If you are unaware of the recent controversy surrounding Shadow Complex, you could be forgiven for thinking that the boycotters were enraged PS3 fans, lashing out at an exclusive Xbox 360 game.

However, Shadow Complex is currently at the center of a touchy and thorny political issue, as it has become apparent that the game is based upon a world co-created by Orson Scott Card, a notorious writer who viciously campaigns against same-sex marriage and believes homosexuality to be a sexual dysfunction.

Card will be making money from Chair Entertainment's recently released Xbox Live Arcade game. Hence the question, should we boycott Shadow Complex?

[Sonyslave3]

lol ps3fanboys are going to boycott the sh!t out this game just like they did with lfd2.

[Tinted Eyes]

jackass

[Timesplitter14]

Yeah right... PS3 fanboys are going to buy an X360 in order to NOT BUY Shadow Complex

MAKES PERFECT SENSE

Next time, learn the definition of the words you're using.

[Arnon]

"Yeah right... PS3 fanboys are going to buy an X360 in order to NOT BUY Shadow Complex"

...what? What does anything of what you just said have to do with boycotting a game? You don't have to buy a console to boycott a game on it.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

Sonyslave3 is talking about PS3 fans boycotting by signing "petitions" like when PS3 fans jumped on the PC boycott of L4D2 because it's not going to the PS3. If you don't believe me about PS3 fans signing the L4D2 petition go here http://steamcommunity.com/g... and read the comments. Many PS3 fans/Droids were open and honest about why they signed, now imagine how many signed it who wern't honest. You droids are the biggest whiny cry babies in gaming. First it was DMC4, then FF, L4D and now Shadow Complex. http://www.kleenex.com pick some up and whipe those tears.

God droids are so freaking lost.

[AngryTypingGuy]

If a great game was made by a Nazi, I'd still buy it. When playing a game, I don't take into account the morals or politics of the person behind it. I just don't care.

Not to mention, I am against gay marriage as well. Although, I am for gays being able to have civil unions as well as the financial benefits that come along with it. I want them to be happy. The only part that I have a problem with is the holy matrimony part because I feel it's disrespectful to the Christian religion to have two people of the same sex marry.

[Kill Crow]

Won't surprise me if they boycott .... Wave March down the street with your dual wield Pink ice-cream Dildo's waving in the air ...

F4gs !!!!!

[Above Awesome]

Boycotting this means you boycott the developers who worked hard on this title. Is it worth it to sever pay to a homophobe?

[Blaster_Master]

Only a homo would boycott something because someone is against homosexuality. Personally, I dont think the game is worth 15 bucks anyways, and I wouldnt but it cause of that. Especially since I played the whole game for free via glitch. But to not buy a game because of one individual's beliefs is nit picking, childish, crybaby ranting. Get over it. You are in the minority thus making your feelings about this irrelevant.

[phosphor112]

There is NOTHING homophobic or nothing anti same-sex that is in the game. Only dumbasses like to start problems that were never there.

[ps3d0]

"Orson Scott Card, a notorious writer who viciously campaigns against same-sex marriage and believes homosexuality to be a sexual dysfunction."

Seriously wtf does this have to do with the game ? If the game is good buy if it sucks ass then boycott it.

[mdt hunter]

why should we care about developers personal life ?
i really don't care about ther personal life they should just give us good games

[evrfighter]

As a gamer you should only boycott those that are blatantly exploiting gamers.

Why the eff would gamers boycott a developer because one dude's views differs from many others.

Take that political sh*t somewhere else. Most of us don't really care.

[Poopface the 2nd]

Too late for me to boycot it as I already got it. Its great.

Its not like the prejudice guy made the game.

[StanLee]

Who gives a f*ck about someone's personal politics?! We play video games to get away from that bullsh*t in our everyday lives.

[barom]

Funny how this article actually makes me want to support the title and I'm actually more of a PS3 guy too.

[aldesko]

Orson is actually a good sci-fi writer. If you ignored everything he does because you disagree with his political views, you would miss out on some good books like Ender's Game.

I don't share his views on politics, but he's entitled to his opinion. I would understand a boycott if Shadow Complex dealt with homosexuality, but it doesn't.. at all.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

This would be the dumbest boycott in the history of gaming.

[Beast_Master]

Orson Scott Card is a Mormon, that should clear up why he is such a dumba$$. In any case the game story has almost nothing to do with his book, it only takes place in the universe. It would be like not buying a K. Anderson Star Wars novel because George Lucas raped Star Wars and Indiana Jones.

[dragunrising]

"Homophobic" has become too broad a definition. If you disagree with homosexual marriage you are NOT a homophobe. Its your opinion. Disagreeing or agreeing is every man and womans right. It is not legally or morally wrong to have an opposing viewpoint. Its interesting that homosexuals and supporters claim the higher ground whenever someone doesn't share their opinion...simply by labeling them a homophobe. Agenda? Of course not (sarcasm).

Boycott a game all you want. Your missing out on a great game made by very talented devs.

[Socrates]

If I boycotted every game whose creators' political viewpoints were different than mine I would have missed out on a great number of games.

For example, I don't agree with some of the political viewpoints expressed by Ken Levine, creator of Bioshock, and I don't even agree with some of the subtle political messages found in the game itself, but if that would have stopped me I would have missed out on one of my favorite games this generation.

Shadow Complex is sublime, and the fact that one of the co-writers is apparently opposed to homosexuality has absolutely no bearing on that.

[starvinbull]

I am in two minds on this issue. On the one hand if it were the BNP or KKK co creating the game I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole but then again I'm not gay so it would be very easy to be casual about this author's homophobia. I'm sure it won't affect many people's decision to buy.

[Syronicus]

He believes in something different. We all talk about "tolerance" but then we do not allow a man or woman to practice their beliefs when it comes to their religion. Sad really, to know that the Homosexual crowd are a bunch of hypocrites. If they believe it is right then fine, but let others have differing opinions and stop with the thin skinned homophobe and heterophobe comments.

[masterg]

The guy who started IKEA was a Nazi.
Boy-cut it right away :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

[ID IR A G 0 N]

anyone who would boycott this game because of this stupid article, is a moron. people can have whatever opinion they want.

to the kid who said this games isnt worth 15 bucks, your right, its prolly worth 30. SHADOW COMPLEX IS AMAZING!!!!!!

[Lich120]

I used to think Ender's Game was a great novel. Apparently I was wrong because the author is homophobic. Same goes for shadow Complex, I thought the game was excellent, but apparently it can't be.

If anyone actually boycott's this game because they are gay, I think Ill die a little inside.

[Coconutz919]

Thanks, Beast_Master. I guess I'm a dumba$$, too.

On topic, I think this is completely absurd. He's entitled to his opinion just like everyone else and that in no way should effect how you judge or support a game that each of those developers make their living from.

[mastiffchild]

Just a personal issue in my book. Had the game been developed from a book which knocks gay lifestyle then maybe I'd feel differently but here the only issue is whether you feel OK giving some of your cash to a homophobic fool.

Noone should criticise people who want to boycott this though-surely if you knew someone was a bigot and didn't want them to profit from your gaming then that's fair enough and does NOT make yopu a moron. The only moron involved is OSC-who really is a douche, imo.

Not an issue for me, mind, as the game doesn't grab me at all.

[JsonHenry]

I can't stand homosexual (or metrosexual for that matter) men. But I am not gonna boycott a game/tv show/ etc. just because a homosexual or girlie man might be involved.

[Rock Bottom]

Umm...

Is there a way to pay for the game without having a 360? this guy deserve my money.

[Christopher]

Why would I boycott because someone has a differing opinion on same-sex relationships? You know how many people at Microsoft have the same views as Card? Are we going to boycott Microsoft because of this?

Just doesn't make sense. Get the game and enjoy it, I say.

[gamesR4fun]

i could see a boycott getting steam if the game was pro gay but for being anti gay on live sheesh thats like a selling point for them homophobic bastards.

[ChickeyCantor]

" You are in the minority thus making your feelings about this irrelevant"

Lovely Irony...

[Consoldtobots]

It's REALLY sad to see how far the powers that be have brought society down the slippery slope. All these sheep cry about free speech but act like nazis the minute someone says something or holds a viewpoint they HAVE BEEN TOLD is wrong. I mean you can't even ARGUE the right and wrong of being homosexual without being called a narrow minded biggot. Forget religions, morality, culture or any of that and lets base this on somehing that can't be argued. THE MEDICAL DANGERS OF A HOMOSEXUAL LIFESTYLE. If you have no idea what that is, look it up on google.
But thats besides the point, this man has THE GOD GIVEN RIGHT TO PREACH AGAINST HOMOSEXUALITY IF IT GOES AGAINST HIS MORAL BELIEFS. When will you politically correct retards understand that?

[NEO_X]

Just because someone disagrees with a lifestyle it doesn't mean he should suffer for it. ignorance doesn't beat ignorance

[ChickeyCantor]

"Forget religions, morality, culture or any of that and lets base this on somehing that can't be argued. THE MEDICAL DANGERS OF A HOMOSEXUAL LIFESTYLE"

Then how do you explain the "homosexuals" that got older than 70.
That research can be argued, cause "researcher" say lots of stuff and then in the end be wrong anyway. A research is not by definition a true fact.

[starvinbull]

Presumably you don't smoke, drink alchohol, have unprotected sex, drive an internal combustion engine car, eat red meat regularly, weigh more than your ideal weight (BMI 24-26), own or fire guns or excercise less than an hour a day. If you do none of those things you can preach about the dangers of a homosexual lifestyle. The evidence on each of those things is pretty indisputable.

In which state is it illegal to be a homosexual?

If you are making your statement based only preference then presumably you disagre with your own countries rights and freedoms when it come to homosexuals?

I'm gonna make an assumption and say you're from the USA in which case you should look at the evidence that suggests the happiest people in the world are scandinavians in particular Swedes, East asians are amongst the most intelligent people from birth on average and have some of the highest life expectancy figures in the world. Somone could easily say the medical dangers of being American are not worth it.

I don't think my lifestyle or beliefs are superior to everyone elses try it sometime, you may learn a thing or two.

When you start trying to discriminate against people or lifestyles you disagree with then one day someone will look at you and decide you're not up to scratch. Who's next? Blacks, jews, koreans, homeless people, the disabled? What about old people? Should they be subject to the same prejudice you have for homosexuals? Evidence shows that being old carries numerous medical dangers.

[Sonyslave3]

That and the ps3fanboy who hate Gabe because he don't care about the ps3.

O wait Tint Eyes aren't you one them ps3fanboys who hate Gabe because he don't give a fvck about the ps3 got to be or was someone pretending to be you.

[Masamori Sumimura]

he is.

[Tinted Eyes]

actually I am not I never cared

kthxbai

[Nitrowolf2]

nvm

[DavidMacDougall]

I have a high end PC and a PS3, where do i lose? I love TF2

[kissmeimgreek]

what a stupid argument. card made a great story for this and deserves to praised. this game has absolutely nothing to do with him being homophobic. the developers are the ones that worked on this and the game (as far as i know) has nothing o do with sexual preference. this article is just stupid and pointless.

[thetruthinator]

Its a good game and thats what matters.
So what if he has an opinion that you dont like?

I wonder how many writers are Pro-Choice?

We should boycott them all! Those murderers!

[Tony P]

@greek:

You judge too soon me thinks... The entire second half of the article is about why you shouldn't boycott.

[jack who]

ppl really have no life anymore?

[IDetonation]

Dont you know?!
Its not about fun anymore!
Games are about specs!!! How well they run, how graphically advanced they are, whether all of it can fit on one disc or not!
You must be insane to think a game can be fun anymore.
Because if you do, then apparently youre a fanboy!!
So i like Gow. Im a fanboy.
But i also like Kz2!
Wtf?! Thats not allowed!!!!
One system only asshoIe!!!

My god ppl.
Just play the game for once.

[Nitrowolf2]

wtf why???????

[Xi]

It's quite clear that Orson Scott Card's homophobia is the manifestation of his own closeted homosexual desires.

[aldesko]

hahah.. that seems to usually be the case with people who get really heated about homosexuals.

[imec]

Nooo, I knew this steaming pile of bullcrap would reach N4G (I don't care what the man does with his free time as long as the game is good).

[spartan112g]

He is an extremely talented and creative writer. He makes quality books and is one of, if not the best, the greatest science fiction writers of all time. Shadow Complex is an awesome game and should be played. Orson Scott Card wrote Ender's Game for goodness sake.

[spartan112g]

The person that disagreed with me is an enemy to good literature.

[ThisPlaceSucksBye]

I mean, I don't really care if people are gay or not, if they're happy and they're not hurting anyone, then go right ahead.
I couldn't care less about the writer's personal opinion either. He's entitled to hate gay marriage or whatever, just like some of us are entitled to say "Yeah, I don't hate homosexual people".
This game is fantastic and that's what matters here.

[phadox]

for the love of alan alda, if you look deep enough into anything you will find something you dislike, i'm gonna boycott that link. get a grip and grab a controller

[LostDjinn]

A persons sexuality is their choice and if the game itself doesn't cross any lines then I don't see how it matters.
If you're angry with Mr Card for being a jackass then take it up with him.

[Polluted]

I didn't know that about Card. It's a shame that he's so unhappy in his own life he feels the need to spread hatred towards others like that, but is it really worth boycotting this game over? No, imo.

Henry Ford hated black people. Does that mean we should all boycott ford? Again, not imo.

Like someone above said, dig deep enough and you'll find a reason to boycott just about anything. I just completed Shadow Complex yesterday and it was bloody awesome. One of my favorite games this gen. Don't let some sci-fi author's douchebaggery spoil it for you.

Oh and for all you guys who see this as a great opportunity to extend you e-peens by gay bashing, get a life losers.

[Saaking]

Shadow Complex isn't really that good as the hype suggested, Thank God I learned about the glitch

[ArcticWolfUK]

lol i still gotta do that

[spartan112g]

#1 Shadow Complex is awesome.
#2 What glitch? lol

[Eiffel]

Oh you did you? Tell me. What is the name of the drug that one of the henchmen puts into Claire. Also what is the name of the fourth boss?

Go ahead google it. Prove my point. Idiot.

Could always play Fat Princess with it's broken online.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

Saaking doesn't own a 360 that gamertag isn't his I sent him messages like he wanted me to and he never responded. Saaking was caught in this lie days ago but like a failfull droids he keeps trying.

BTW the glitch was fixed.

[Socrates]

Shadow Complex is every bit as good as the reviews suggest. It is actually one of my favorite games now. Right up there with full retail releases. It's that good.

[ginsunuva]

Fat Princess online was fixed a while ago.

[36T]

"Fat Princess online was fixed a while ago."

Now all they have to do is fix the crappy game. Fat Princess = FAIL

[II Necroplasm II]

Fat Princess....lol

[Godmars290]

Yeah, good luck with that...

[Chubear]

lol, you're right. I mean if a game came out about the holocaust and you were a Nazi that kills Jews with awesome graphics most gamers would go "... hope the gameplay is good"

[Godmars290]

But this is more like what if a well know neo-nazi suggested some of the story for a great, well reviewed game. Which is more than close to the truth.

Though you might want to look to the head designers who requested his active participation in the project.

[Tyetan]

The man has a right to his opinions. The game was very well done and I see no reason to boycott. I don't care much for Jaffe's political views but I still really enjoyed God of War. I think the reason why homosexuals take these things so hard is because being gay takes over their whole being. Their sexuality takes the place of their personality so anyone who disagrees they attack.

[ThatDud3]

It seems most of you didn't read the whole article. He does raise an interesting point in the purchase of any thing really. If the CEO of Sony was racist towards black people how would you feel about their products?

[Jazz4108]

He does have a right to his opinion and I will not say anything negative about him. Being gay sucks but it does not run my life. I would not choose it for anyone. I believe in equal rights for everyone as well as God love everyone as I did not choose to be who I am. Back on topic please just judge the games not the personal lifes of the people who create them. Thanks

[aldesko]

It's an interesting question, and there's really not some universal moral code which dictates if it's wrong or not.. it's up to each individual. It reminds me of a lecture where my professor explained how Wagner is/was a controversial composer because he hated Jews. Personally, I couldn't care less (it's just music), but I could understand if people didn't listen to his music.

[FantasyStar]

I hope everyone realizes that Destructoid is against boycotting Shadow Complex. But I doubt most N4G'ers can even read past the 6th Grade Level and suffer from extreme cases of A.D.D.

[cyberwaffles]

dude, that pic looks awesome. so wish i could play this game right now. and it seems like this author wants to boycott this game for irrelevant reasons. so what if he's a homophobe or whatever, it has nothing to do with the game or it's story.

i love david gilmour and he's an atheist, i love freddie mercury and he's gay, i love kirk hammett and he's a vegetarian, i love blazing saddles even though there's a lot of racist jokes in the movie (i understand the message is trying to abhor racism); i like a lot of stuff from people who have opposing views from me so i don't see why people would be upset with the guy's homophobic personality.

[Alcon Caper]

Gamers SHOULD boycott the game.

Then pirate it.

BUTT PIRATE

[riceandbeans]

Nothing but trashy bloggers. I remember reading this on Neogaf so I'm not sure if either the writer originally wrote it up there or stole the idea from the forum to make headlines. Honestly though, so what? The man has his own political opinion. The only real morons are the ones who can't accept a different opinion.

Calling a man, "an insignificant biggot" because he has conservative values is stupid. I'm done with Destructoid and the fools over there who even think to call themselves "journalists" but are really moronic bloggers with over developed senses of entitlement writing about things they don't understand.

[aldesko]

"The man has his own political opinion. The only real morons are the ones who can't accept a different opinion."

By your logic you should keep going to destructoid since they only have a different opinion than you... and disagreeing with that and calling them trashy bloggers "is stupid" and makes you a "real moron".

You should actually read the article... it doesn't promote boycotting the game. It's actually a pretty well-written article, which I think is welcome on N4G. Here's a snippet for those who can't read more than a paragraph at a time:

[Tron_Rocks]

Way to go Orson Scott Card! He has the right idea and I for one am glad I bought this game and can't refer this game enough! It's a great game!

[riceandbeans]

I read through parts, I'll admit it and should have given it a complete read like I did just now. But calling someone a biggot for having different political values is uncalled for and in my opinion moronic. I don't mind debates, but to the point where they insult is where I draw the line on credibility. No I'm not conservative, I'm independent and I hate it when people can't accept others values.

[leeger]

Shadow Complex is the best 360 game I played so far!

[Strikepackage Bravo]

D bag here is the dam blogger. One does not become a homophobe by not agreeing with gay marriage or the homosexual lifestyle. And sorry but homosexuality IS in fact a deviant form of sexual expression, that does not mean we should hate all homosexuals or that they are less human, they just have some warped sexual preferences. No need to treat them any different because of it, and no need to boycott anyone who does not agree with it.

[DelbertGrady]

I bet you can find various people with twisted views in most development teams as well. I don't give a damn as long as their views aren't reflected in the games.

[kraze07]

Damn, I didn't know Orson Card was a homophobe. Loved his books though.

[Mr Face Creamer]

So I should boycott a great game just because the guy who wrote it is a f@g-basher?

[spartan112g]

They do know that boycotting something makes it more appealing in the public eye. Also, you would want to play the game just to see what creative ways he uses to bash them within the game. To bad there aren't any to my knowledge. I don't hate gay people, but I love creativity.

[Obama]

The first good game on the 360 in 09 is an arcade game. Pretty sad if you ask me.

[Mr Face Creamer]

It's also pretty sad to see the only decent game you'll have this year is Uncharted 2, even though I despised Uncharted 1 for being the official-male version of Tomb Raider. Ahh... The creativity and originality.

[devilhunterx]

Obviously you never played Uncharted 1. But thanks for trying.

[36T]

Once again the PS3 fanboys think only exclusives. What a surprise! I have been playing older exclusives that i haven't had the chance to play yet and a whole bunch of multiplats. Oops, i mentioned multiplats. I know they don't exist on your PS3rd but man are you missing out.

Is your pic Obama because you like black d!ck or because you think you're cool? I know your not smart enough so it has to be one of the options i mentioned.

@ hemROID

Who's talking sales? lol

[HemDroid]

And stupid,dumb,inbred,hillbillie bots like yourself only think sales
now go play your sales and i will play exclusives

[II Necroplasm II]

http://www.n4g.com/NewsCom-...

[Obama]

Who cares if you are playing older 360 exclusives? The point is the 360 doesn't 1 great exclusive in 09 so far (shadow complex is an arcade game so I really wouldn't count it as a full game)

"s your pic Obama because you like black d!ck or because you think you're cool?"

Is your pic a 360 logo because you are a racist? Obama is as white as he is black btw, so don't be a dumbass.

[Odin777]

You sound really stupid getting all worked up over nothing.

[kasasensei]

Of course n.

[makingdamage]

Oh! A moral question in video games. You don´t see them too often...

[PotNoodle]

Its only you missing out on one of the best downloadable games to be released this generation.

[bohemian 23]

Who cares if the guy doesn't like gaylords. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Just because mainstream media and society are telling you something is okay and you have to accept doesn't mean you have too. At the same time what people do with their lives is their choice and that goes for both sides of the coin. People can do what they want and other people do not have to agree with it. If you want to get drunk everyday and never leave your house that's your choice but i'm sure someone else would think it's a poor choice and on and on and on.. It's not like the guy is running for president, he wrote a story for a videogame.

[stewie32887]

I have always had a bit of an uncomfortable relationshop with Orson Scott Card.

On one hand, I think he is a brilliant writer, responsible for what is easily my favorite book. I have read Ender's Game literally twenty times and while I'm not always a fan of his other books, it is a glorious novel.

On the other hand, I despise his politics. There was a time in my life when I was a vehement Republican and even then I was uncomfortable with his views, especially on homosexuals.

While I could in some ways envision boycotting his books, in this case I think it would be innappropriate. Few video games are made by one man, and as many, including the article's author have pointed out, we'd be naive to think that all of them have views that people would find completely innoffensive. Chances are we've all indirectly financed someone we disagree with at some point. So in this case, I think boycotting would be pointless and I agree with the author for basically saying as much. You people need to actually READ the article.

All this said, I am disturbed by the way people immediately jumped on the gay-bashing band wagon about this. Not in every case, but some of the comments posted here are indicative of some definite foolishness. For the record, gays have every reason to be opposed to people like Mr. Card. When someone starts calling you a sexual deviant and tries to deny you a right as basic as marriage based, then write back with such derogatory comments.

[RedSoakedSponge]

should we also boycott people having a hitler moustache? thats a retarded answer for a retarded question.

[Quikchicken_Fly]

no point in boycotting anyways

[warden976]

you'll be missing out on a cracking title if you choose to boycott

[paul0388]

This is maybe one of the most absurd articles I have ever read. Right up there with the "Left 4 Dead 2 is racist" article.

I do not own Shadow Complex. Unfortunately I have to wait and buy another hard drive first because my 20 GB is just not cutting it anymore... With all these price cuts going on, one would think Microsoft would lower prices on their hard drives. I use my PC for gaming, and right now I'm torn between buying a 1.5 TB hard drive for my computer for $120 or a 120 GB Xbox hard drive for $150. Choices, choices...

Well anyway, I went way off topic. Buy Shadow Complex, it looks good, and is not homophobic, lol.

[i_zamorak_i]

"It's also pretty sad to see the only decent game you'll have this year is Uncharted 2, even though I despised Uncharted 1 for being the official-male version of Tomb Raider. Ahh... The creativity and originality."

someone doesn't know what they are talking about..o.o

[bjornbear]

xD i kid i kid....silly, no good game should be boycotted

[retro]

Fanbois... tz.

[Leadweight]

i dont think homosexuals have any gaming genes in them,so this article is completely irrelevant.All power to Mr. Orson Scott Card.Destructoid,shame on you that you dont have better material.

[thelastmexican84]

Let the people who are actually influenced by his actions boycott... Quite frankly, who gives a crap.

[zok310]

If the man does not support some basic Human Rights such as freedom to choose your sexual preference, why support his products or work?

[Elven6]

It works both ways, does Card not have the freedom to voice his opinion on such matters? I don't know if the constitution protects against sexual preference discrimination, I know it does religion though, perhaps someone familiar with it can fill us in?

[SWF Joker]

right first of all i am gay, im not camp, i dont go to the gay festivals or whatever they are called, i dont go to gay bars, i have 99% straight male friends, i love sports, i drink beer and i love video games and action movies. its stuff like this that ruins gay reputation and the camp over the top queens who scream for rights, we are human just like everyone else, its not a choice we made, its just what we are. if i could be straight then i would be but its not possible just like a straight man turning gay would not happen, as far as im concerned i dont give a toss about it, the video game is loosely based on a poor novel (i have read the book) which was written by a homophobe, im sure their are people who made movies that are the same and that i have watched and enjoyed the same go's with sport athletes im sure. im so sick of this its not fair that decent gay people who are normal get crap all the time. cause of some asshole who started up this political bullcrap. next story please

[Irishrocket69]

No.

[devilhunterx]

Gaylo fanb1tches asseeeemmmbbblleee!

[kevinx1000]

"The first good game on the 360 in 09 is an arcade game. Pretty sad if you ask me."

uncharted is the 2nd decent game the PS3 got in it's lifetime. pretty sad if you ask me. killzone 2 was #1, but with a fun factor lower than any other shooter out there, crappy controls and a controller that doesn't fit in your hands it's an epic fail.

"Gaystation fanb1tches asseeeemmmbbblleee!"

[Durffen]

What is with all these morons wanting to boycott videogames now? How stupid is everyone now? If you don't want to play a game, don't play it. Stop trying to get everyone to boycott it.

[MGOelite]

why the flying fuk would ps3 want shadow complex when i can recreate 90% of the game in littlebigplanet for free

[36T]

Have fun with that, loser! I'll play the real game, not some game you created in LBP. LMAO!

Man oh man, how i love PS3rd fanboys! Every day they come up with something both stupid and amusing.

When you finally get around to recreating the entire game (and it's BIG) pm me. I would love to try it! I'll even borrow my friends blu ray player to give it a shot and compare the two.

@ HemDroid

How's that peach fuzz coming along on your tiny pecker? You write like you're ten years old so don't talk to me about puberty. Do you even know what a vagina is? Ask mommy, she'll show you. Try not to blush and giggle. Instead, choke that monkey all night long and be proud of the peach fuzz growing between your legs.

[HemDroid]

Your disappointment in your choice of console is showing
And the fact you aint ever been laid and you still live with mom and your waiting for you 36teeeeeee to come back from repairs is adding to your disappointment
i understand that puberty is messing with your c*ckring wearin self too
But chill you scruffy bot

[spartan112g]

I learned today that if you get angry at somebody else's choice in something that means that you are insecure with your won decision. This usually takes place in the teen phase of life.

[xsteinbachx]

I like the part where I can afford a 360, and a Ps3 and a high end computer and not have to fanboy rage on every article. I'll probably buy the game anyways, who cares about Orson Scott Card.. it's a game.. leave it at that.

[Deith9000]

well there just his views, you know every game, film, mug, spoon ever made probably has some asshole that was involved in making it so should we not buy those to?? idiot

also I'm not formilla with his views but it is a tad like pointing that disabled people are.. disabled.. call the police

[hatchimatchi]

freedom of speech

if you wanna be ignorant power to ya.

[yog-sothot]

Gamasutra has a long article about this, and many interesting comments... Just to point out, in case anyone is interested in that kind of discussion.

http://www.gamasutra.com/ph...

[vagisil]

ohhh its nineball, the main one that tries to put the biggest bullsh1t on here. he is the one that contributed all the "rrod" bs last week, and i see he is hard at work this week. sorry nineball, sony fancrybaby, attacking the 360 again, at another angle trying to get people to boycott a great 360 game won't work. grow up dude.

you sony fan idiots complain about bloodmask, which does an awesome job for this site, but you say nothing about this idiot nineball, how surprising.

[davidadrake]

I don't like mustard.

[Nate Tolar]

for all we know one of the artists is a racist...

Or one of the sound guys smokes crack....

Or one of the temps is a secret serial killer....

Or one of the producers is a pedophile...

So what, the other 99 percent are hard working people that have families. You really want to screw up someone's life over a stupid video game don't you. How about I come to one of your gay boutiques and start knocking stuff down and picketing against your lifestyle until your store closes down and then you're out of a job...Just like you're tryin to do to these innocent people. Thats like saying because one dog bites a guy, well just just F0cking boycott dogs while we're at it. O and I got sick eating taco bell last night lets boycott that too...retarded boycotters...

And who cares he's obviously talented and the game doesn't have any gay-bashing so whatever this dude does on his own time is his business. c'mon its America. This boycott sh!t is getting old. You think if you did boycott a game thats ALREADY been released and ALREADY won 9 awards you would do anything besides bring it MORE plubicity? Don't like it, don't play it..

[Dampsack]

Why are so many gamers such petty whiners who whimper out the word "boycott" as often as they sulk about mommy telling them it's bedtime? After all, it's been SO effective in the past. HAHA "boycott"...Pathetic whining children. Whats next, boycotting Jello because they no longer produce pudding pops?

[xeon121]

This must be one the highest brow discussions ever on n4g....lol carry on

[D3adcell]

I don't agree with the President's political views, I boycott the USA by only buying things made in China, that will show them.

[ArthurLee]

I will just forget I read anything about that homophobic tool box and continue enjoying Shadow Complex. Solved!

[SeraphimBlade]

Seriously, it's not like Card made the damn game. If you wanna give a guy a message, boycott his books. I know I'm not passing down one of best XBLA games because ONE GUY who probably makes not even a nickel of the fifteen dollars I spent is homophobic. My philosophy: reward good behavior (i.e. dozens of people making kickass metroidvania-style games) before punishing bad behavior (i.e. one person being homophobic to the point it's insane) When Card writes a book about how homosexuality is evil, we can all get together and boycott that, mkay?

[TheTruth89]

You have to boycott ALL M$ Related Stuff!

Only Windows 7 isn't Garbage!

[Shendow]

Is this site full of it or what? I think the game looks ok an I could care less if it comes to PSN or not, an this site has been known to say sh!t about anything Sony or the PS3 users.

So this sites isn't one I would listen to an I hope Shadow Complex does do well and look good.

P.S. Keep in mind this is coming from someone that hates the 360 on its poor hardware but likes most of the games that are on it. That an I collection about every gaming system.

[skottey]

This article gives me douche chills. At times in my life I have been in mixed company where somebody says something really stupid and I feel embarrassed for them, like I could crawl under a rock on their behalf. This is one of those times, to a lesser extent because it is online, not in person.

Who cares about the personal beliefs about this guy behind the game? I sure don't. Do you boycott a lawn care service because the owner is pro choice? Do you boycott a fruit stand because the owner is anti-gun? Do you boycott a store because the owner is in favor of the death penalty? The answer is clearly no, no, no.

Ridiculous.

[robbo918]

As someone said earlier everyone should be allowed to their opinion. I agree, but it crosses the line when you get all the juvenile and hate filled slurs rather than simply stating that you don't agree with the boycott. This will fall mostly on deaf ears sadly, and to think that many of you are the youth that will inherit this world and continue to spread hate.

I am gay and have been on this site for a while. I have had some fun times and some crappy ones. I support everyone having an opinion. I don't agree with the boycott because they are largely ineffective. I also just wouldn't buy the game if I truly felt Card were that involved which he wasn't. The amount of hatred in this world, especially here in America, is staggering though. The best part is when hatred is spread disguised as "love and religion".

It is sad that so many of you showed your true colors on this blog/posting and the other ones in recent months that involved homosexuality. You apparently only want everyone to be entitled to an opinion as long as it isn't a gay one.

As I said, on topic, I would never boycott this game based on the loose tie that Card had to it. I do boycott Card and that is my right.

To those that I have sparred with in jest on here and even argued with and still came away with new insights I say thanks for the fun. To the fellow PS3 fans that I have enjoyed talking to and posting with, as well as the X360 fans that can have a civil debate I say thanks as well. I know it won't matter and there will be a million disagrees and all my bubbles will vanish but it won't matter since I am deleting my account. I refuse to deal with being bashed in real life only to come on a website I used to enjoy and be bashed willingly again and to see the "moderators" do NOTHING. The offensive button might as well be taken away when you can have people say some of the things that appear on the postings in this blog.

Peace out, even to you that are filled with hate. I wish you all the best and enjoy your gaming because that is what originally drew us here.

[thetruthinator]

Christians should also know that you are supposed to love your enemy and treat those who slander your name with kindness.

So you can believe that gays go to hell because they are sinners but that is absolutely no grounds to be hateful towards them. And personally I do not believe that a man can go to hell simply for being born different. Something that is out of their control. Thats not to say that i am comfortable with the idea of homosexuality, but if i see someone picking on a gay guy ill give them an ear-full.

[exnihilonihilfit]

Now I mean in no way to compare Orson Scott Card with Hitler directly, I'm a very big fan of his books Ender's game & Ender's shadow. I have also, probably unlike anyone else on this site, read his works that declaim homosexual behavior and marriage. And, though it ought not matter, I am gay. That said, my question is phrased so as to more succinctly get at the moral quandary here, that most people are missing. The point is not that the game or its developers are homophobic, but that indirectly this will finance a particular kind of hate mongering from a particular individual. The article does not mean to pass moral judgment on the people who do wind up buying the game, but it does intend to present a caveat. In reality, Mr. Card has probably already made most of the money he was going to make on the game, and so an individuals purchase of the game now will probably not impact his purse at this point, but if as consumers no one ever takes a stand and voices that they do not want the companies they patronize to in turn patronize unsavory individuals, then gaming companies may never think twice about the dirty deeds they may be funding by partnering with people or groups that have discriminatory views or disruptive sentiments. In this case, that the game itself does not promote discriminatory views, it's still fine that people purchase and enjoy it, but it's also quite appropriate that we discourage it's creators and other game designers and publishers from working with controversial if not flat out despicable individuals. That's why I support this articles attempt to bring this issue into the light and hopefully encourage gamers to be both more inclusive and more vocal about their desire to promote an all around more inclusive community; though I might add that not only would a boycott never manifest, and therefore be ineffective, but the mere suggestion of it inflames the discussion to a point where people depart from engaging with the real moral issue, and conjure ulterior motives to justify their actions and ward off any feelings of guilt for wanting to indulge in what a boycott would otherwise forbid.

The sad thing, though utterly predictable, is that some of the more naive people on this site (the same people who keep posting these fanboy articles about how every system but their favorite one is going to fail), can't take it seriously, just like they weren't prepared for the discussion of race in zombie games (I'm also black, yet I did buy RE5). One of the problems is that many of these individuals are simply openly racist, heterosexist or blatantly homophobic - I'll explain what each of those terms mean in a minute. But the real issue is how much these three sentiments are latent within a vast majority of people in not just western, but global culture. As I mentioned earlier, people will when confronted with the prospect of being judged for doing something the already know they are going to do, come up with an alternate explanation of why what they are going to do is justifiable despite the obvious objectionable nature of it. The first among these alternatives I noticed was that opposition to gay marriage is not "homophobia," and therefore it's no big deal that one guy involved is opposed to gay marriage. Wrong on two points: One, the grounds upon which Mr. Card opposes gay marriage are indeed homophobic (despite his claims that they are not). First let me explain homophobia. Simply put, it's the fear of homosexuals acts and the individuals who engage in them. Now this does not mean that a person is afraid of a particular homosexual (it's not like Mr. Card is constantly looking behind his back for fear of being sodomized by surprise), but rather the irrational fear that such behavior leads to moral depravity in the individual, and that condoning such behavior will lead to moral depravity within the society at large. Orson Scott Card vocalizes this fear vehemently. Number two, the sole argument against permitting homosexual couples from marrying is that somehow permitting this will lead to the utter moral decay of society, and therefore, it is homophobic. Though there are other "arguments" against gay marriage, they are all straw men, e.g. "marriage is a religious institution, let religions decide who should be married," to which the response is, "in a society which embraces freedom of religion, the individual should be free to define their religious beliefs, and clearly the religious belief of homosexuals who want to be married is that such marriage is legitimate in the eyes of their God, thus, freedom of religion necessitates freedom of marriage."

The other point I see being made here, and this is more heterosexist than it is homophobic, is that the reason why "whiny" gay people make an issue of these types of things is because they want special rights. This is one of the points that Mr. Card himself laughably tries to make in one of his essays against gay rights. This type of argument is a total inversion of the reality. Lets not forget who's the oppressed here and who's the oppressor. Homosexuals in modern society are denied certain rights, namely the right to marry; not to mention the right to serve openly in the military, and though not de jure, they are de facto denied the ability to serve in various high power positions including political posts and executive positions in the private sector, because if they are discovered to be gay, people will often arbitrarily, if not on the back of some religious dogma, discriminate against them. The delusion that homosexuals already have equal rights and are asking for more is the central legitimizing belief behind heterosexism, which is the drive to maintain the current level of discrimination against homosexuals - if not to ramp it up - in order to ensure that heterosexuals always have greater advantages and more opportunities.

Heterosexism is distinct from homophobia, but as you can imagine they often go hand in hand, for homophobia entails heterosexism, though heterosexism does not necessarily entail homophobia. In any event, both of these perspectives are discriminatory and they develop from wrong premises based on delusions and fears that are not real. Orson Scott Card is indeed both homophobic and heterosexist. Epic has given this homophobe and heterosexist money. This does not in turn mean that we should not enjoy Epic's games, for neither the games nor Epic are heterosexist, but we as fans, and Epic, as a corporate entity, should be wary of getting in to bed with such individuals in the first place (Shadow Complex would probably be just as good if Tom Clancy lent a creative hand), and most importantly, somebody has to say something about it or nothing will change. Please, by all means Buy shadow complex, but let Epic know how you feel about their relationship with Mr. Card and his ilk, or at least, go support a gay rights organization, or perhaps in the very least, be more accepting of the homosexuals, and really all people who are different from you, whom you encounter throughout the course of your life.

[kurnlx]

no