China's New Virtuous Video Game

[cfc]

Here's a little story I came across in the Newport News (Virginia) Daily Press, which was picked up from the LA Times: "Will China's youth play the virtuous virtual game?"

 

Seems that there have been incidents of violence in China linked to western-style video games--for example, one poor kid committed suicide by leaping out a window after playing online games for 36 hours straight "to join his friends in the virtual world." The Chinese government's answer?: a new game that encourages players to help others by, for example, "mending socks" and helping sweet little old ladies. (Hmm--would the sock-mending mode make this the first "first-person seamstress" game?) Another scenario has players stopping people from spitting on the sidewalk. (From what I've heard about Hong Kong Disneyland, perhaps they should stop people from eliminating other types of bodily fluid on the sidewalk.) Instead of a body count, players accumulate virtual "letters of appreciation" and a chance to win a "virtual" autographed copy of "Mao Tse-tung's Little Red Book."

 

The finished game will feature a group of 100 heroes from Chinese history, including an imperial eunuch who, the Chinese believe, sailed to the New World 70 years before Columbus (perhaps he thought he'd discovered Europe, much as Columbus thought San Salvador was China).

 

If the Chinese are worried about kids imitating video games, I'd rethink having a eunuch as a hero. Couldn't that inspire mass self-castrations?

 

Chuck "Think I'll stick with Doom, Quake, and RCT" Campbell

[Louise]

In theory this sounds like a good idea! First-person seamstress, lol.

 

However, I predict they will sell exactly ZERO copies.

[AznShortBoi8021]

A good idea that won't sell. I bet only overly protective parents and people that collect "things that failed" will buy it. I fall under "people that collect 'things that failed.'" Where can I get a copy?

[Token Yankee Guy]

Seems that there have been incidents of violence in China linked to western-style video games--for example, one poor kid committed suicide by leaping out a window after playing online games for 36 hours straight "to join his friends in the virtual world."

 

Clearly the kid himself has issues. I don't believe it's the games fault. Some people can handle it, or some people get too into them and everything gets nasty.

[momo1tx]

Is this a joke? Oh please, let it be a joke, or this is the dumbest idea ever.

[cfc]

Well, at least the Chinese won't have much of a problem with people selling pirated copies.

[F1shy]

Dude I just folded 46 socks in the 2 minute time limit!!! BEAT THAT!!!!

[cfc]

Dude I just folded 46 socks in the 2 minute time limit!!! BEAT THAT!!!!

 

Well done, young comrade! You virtual letter of appreciation is in the mail. Yes, you are fortunate to have such a valuable skill. Other comrades have been sent to reorientation camps for mending less than 40 socks.

 

Your next mission--to help the imperial eunuch stop people from spitting. His high-pitched voice will quickly get on your nerves!