Section 1: Games as a Developing Medium - Part 3

Earlier television series like The Brady Bunch often depicted more light-hearted themes, with stereotypical happy families dealing with trivial issues. Radical topics were less common due to the backlash that could occur. Television has developed immensely since these days however, with current shows that explore extremely controversial issues such as 13 Reasons Why and Black Mirror. 

Although these shows may not be universally accepted by every individual, the freedom of expression to allow these ideas to come forth in their particular medium is essential. Video games are no longer a young medium, and as such an acceptance of the media as a fully-fledged art form is expected as the industry spreads into more lives and continues to mature.

Section 2: Freedom of Expression - Part 1

This importance of the ability to express an idea freely without censorship is essential to allowing differing media to present us with differing ideology. Without this freedom of expression, perhaps integral pieces like Schindler’s List or even Game of Thrones may not have been allowed to surface. The ability of various media to stimulate our various senses provides a depth of insight into a radical experience was hitherto unknown. Video games provide the ability to take this experience to new heights by placing the user in the shoes of another within situations they may not be comfortable with. For example, the player could be placed within historical events and given the choices that famous leaders may have had to make. Being forced to make difficult leadership decisions and witness the great or terrible outcomes of said choice can allow the significance of certain historical events to be far more obvious. The educational possibilities of this medium have great potential so surely there should be an acceptance of radical material within games.

Section 2: Freedom of Expression - Part 2

Six Days in Fallujah was a documentary game developed by Atomic Games that was a third person combat simulation of the famous second battle of Fallujah in Iraq. The U.S. marine corps had been working with Atomic Games to develop simulation training tools when the battalion they had been working closely with were sent to Iraq. The marines that returned described their experiences in Fallujah with the Atomic Games developers and expressed their desire to share what they had lived through. Working closely together, the game was developed and was set to be published by Konami. However, the announcement of the game was received with a heavy backlash of criticism from various groups that argued that making a game about the second battle of Fallujah would disrespect those that died there.  

Fearful of reputation loss, Konami dropped out and Atomic Games was left without a publisher. Atomic Games failed to find a replacement publisher, and the financially struggling studio folded soon after.