Source (http://www.townhall.com/columnists/KevinMcCullough/2008/01/13/the_sex-box_race_for_president)

It's called "Mass Effect" and it allows its players - universally male no doubt - to engage in the most realistic sex acts ever conceived. One can custom design the shape, form, bodies, race, hair style, breast size of the images they wish to "engage" and then watch in crystal clear, LCD, 54 inch screen, HD clarity as the video game "persons" hump in every form, format, multiple, gender-oriented possibility they can think of.

The objections to such filth should be simple to understand.

Starting with the disgusting idea that one can "create" their own versions of what people look like, removing warts, moles, and bald spots while enhancing - shall we say - the extended features of the game's characters tends to objectify women, sex, and human relationships. Right? We can all agree on this?

This has got to be a joke, right? What game did this man play because it's obviously not the 12-rated game we have over here in the UK. Maybe I missed something :xp:

Then there's the dishonesty behind the game' title. "Mass Effect" sounds like a war game with a deadly virus that is spreading unless the GI-Joes are able to defeat the evil and deadly substance and it's covert war plan. By it's design, kids could ask for it, or for their parents' Best Buy Card to go purchase it with nary a raised eye-brow. Generic, non-descriptive, and relatively harmless.

It seems his ignorance isn't restricted to the game content.

It seems his ignorance isn't restricted to the game content.

He's obviously played the game he wanted to play rather than the one that's actually in the Sex-Box 360; projecting his sexual frustrations onto it. How Freudian...

If a pre-teen, teen, young adult, or adult male plays such a game in which the women DO submit without choice, are made to appear as Barbie streetwalkers, and perform whatever act can be imagined, what's to stop that same male from assuming that the women in his "other world" shouldn't be forced to do the same.

We now know because of the lengthy track record of serial killer after another that addictive use of pornography was prevalent in case after case - long before the switch got flipped and what their masturbatory imaginations have given into became what they were forcing real live human beings to do.

You know, the guy actually has a point. He focuses on the 'sex' aspect of the game, but, it raises something interesting. Honestly, it DOES objectivy women as people to just have sex with. Like most other RPG games. Especially the Bastila peverts. Is it good? Is it bad? I'll tell you one thing though, I'm utterly tired of it.

He's obviously played the game he wanted to play rather than the one that's actually in the Sex-Box 360; projecting his sexual frustrations onto it. How Freudian...
He never played the game and admitted as much. He has since said he was misinformed and half heatedly apologized. He still believes that it is the worst sex images he has ever seen. This is true since he does not play games and has never seen anything but those Mass Effect love interest conclusion scenes posted on the internet. His comments make me believe that he has a serious problem with alternative lifestyles and he believes the alien and human female scene is a homosexual relationship. If he would have actually done some research instead of jumping to conclusion he could have save himself some embarrassment.

You know, the guy actually has a point. He focuses on the 'sex' aspect of the game, but, it raises something interesting. He has no point, other than creating a name for himself by calling people names and not researching his subject matter. He had no clue to even the demographic of gamers and went straight to calling us names.

Honestly, it DOES objectify women as people to just have sex with. A female PC can objectify a male to have sex with too.

In Mass Effect the PC can be female too. This game does not objectify women. The game is better at making women an equal within the ranks of military life. Only wish real life was the same as the game.
Like most other RPG games. Especially the Bastila peverts. Is it good? Is it bad? I'll tell you one thing though, I'm utterly tired of it. I don’t like it, but that is not the case. At least to the women I know that have played Mass Effect, but then again we could just ban it all. No more games, magazines, movies, advertisements, books, music, internet…

I had a marvellous response all thought out for this idiot...but I can't be bothered to sign up to that crap-hole of a site in an attempt to point out the obvious to someone who will never, ever see it...I'll put the "short" version here...

rant

As a mature, married woman who plays video games, these comments make me want to laugh. I sincerely hope a great deal of 15-year-old boys purchase this game based on these complete fabrications. I'm sure the extra money will help sooth BioWare's injured feelings. I also feel somewhat obligated to point out that BioWare Corp., in fact, remains a favourite with female gamers due to their constant gold-standard in storytelling, gender equality and romance. Mass Effect has not let us down in any of these categories.

Now, as a woman who writes for pleasure, this butchery of the English language makes me cringe. But, as this is the Internet, I'll let it slide - a little...

As a journalist, however, this entire episode makes me want to weep. I have spent 18 years of my life earning my living, and even the occasional award, as a reporter, editor and writer of opinion columns. And I have never - never - seen such an abuse of the title 'journalism.'

The hundreds of posts that point out each and every factual error and outright lie in this unworthy pile of typed drek would make any real journalist crawl under their bed while dutifully re-checking their research and printing heartfelt apologies. This ... writer ... apparently believes that lies can be used to defend more lies.

As a member of the fifth estate, I am often confronted with outright hostility, as members of the public believe that my job is defined by sensationalism, bias and opportunism. Over the years, I have grown weary of these confrontations as I could not understand the basis for thee feelings, when I do my best every day to tell people's stories as honestly as they are told to me, to take my government to task when they fail us, to hold up the wrongdoers of society as an example of paths to avoid and to put the spotlight on those citizens who make our world just a little bit brighter.

Thank you for clearing that up for me.

Thank you, also, for instilling in me a deep gratitude that I do not ply my trade in your country. While the rules that govern journalism in Canada might occasionally chafe - especially when confronted with the idea of limiting my own concept of 'justice' - I see now where the alternative leads.

The only thought I'm left with is that this individual is, flat out, a liar. And the only consolation I can cling to comes from the book of law in my own country.

“The gist of the torts of libel and slander is the publication of matter (usually words) conveying a defamatory imputation. A defamatory imputation is one to a man's discredit, or which tends to lower him in the estimation of others, or to expose him to hatred, contempt or ridicule, or to injure his reputation in his office, trade or profession, or to injure his financial credit. The standard of opinion is that of right-thinking persons generally.”

I honestly do not believe that any informed reader – or ‘right-thinking’ persons – could ever, in fact, take anything written by that person seriously. Nor do I believe that anything he has to say could possibly negatively impact on Mass Effect, nor BioWare. It serves only to reflect abysmally on himself and – sadly – on the state of journalism in the United States of America.



*sigh*

/rant

He has no point, other than creating a name for himself by calling people names and not researching his subject matter. He had no clue to even the demographic of gamers and went straight to calling us names.

And for that I understand. I also understand that he is trying to make an coherent argument against the objectifying of women and that games do that. He then argues that pornography can motivate serial killers, which is something that I personally disagree with, but there are some stats that conservatives can use to cite that.

Overall, I can understand where he is coming for, instead of being angry with him.

Anyway, the guy's preaching to the Choir. He's not talking to us, so it's okay for him to insult (much as a religious person comes to see a discussion when Atheists are talking about the evils of religion, and the religious person is becomes offended and angry...I don't see a problem with that). Not that it matters anyway.

A female PC can objectify a male to have sex with too.

In Mass Effect the PC can be female too. This game does not objectify women. The game is better at making women an equal within the ranks of military life. Only wish real life was the same as the game.

Think you're missing the point.

You can play as a woman, but I think most people will choose to play as a Man, and that's where his point is drawn, the game is targeted towards young kids who love sex, and that is totally wrong. And even a female can objectify a male, it's still objectiving.

I'm think he'll tolerate the objectiving of women somewhat (altough not much, but it is commonplace in other media)...it's the objectiving of human beings for SEX. One of the draws for the game is sex and pornography and having mates. And I disagree with women being treated as 'an equal', you're not an equal if you are seen by a Male Shepard as someone to flirt with. You want to flirt with a woman, you are likely to get her to the ground.

Only sad that he doesn't realize that there are likely MORE games out there that have sex play a greater role, I'd like to see his vent and anger, especially about the "Hot Coffee" mod. Oh, and The Bard's Tale too.

(Also sad that there aren't religious conservatives angrily ranting about sex in games also being gamers as well and actually playing said game with sex and thereby poking holes in it. Hm...)

I don’t like it, but that is not the case. At least to the women I know that have played Mass Effect, but then again we could just ban it all. No more games, magazines, movies, advertisements, books, music, internet…

No, I'm not advocating that. And, besides, in his logic, if women are watching pornography, especially young girls, they too are being scarred too, by watching sex. Objectivation occurs anyway, and our nation's youth is being corrupted. If you are a right-winger, you'd believe it. If you are a left-winger, you won't. So, in the end, just another "preaching to the Choir".

Only argument I can muster is that the game is rated M. But, let be honest, I got the GTA series by having my parents buy it for me, when I was below the legal age. And I am sure that it is rather easy to get past the censors and get M rated games...and see those terrible sex scenes. Not to mention that a kid might be able to actually break the law in question and buy the M-rated game from stores.

But, I'm just tired of this nonsense. Utterly tired. This 'objectivation' and 'ooh, mates' feeling that is masquarding as 'romance' is trash (the mechanic at the least), and we need to get rid of it and actually have gameplay that focus on stuff that matters. Like the debate about religious extermism. :)

Anyway, this discussion is getting a bit off-center, and I think it's already handled by the 'sex in video game' topics far more better. Eh.

I had a marvellous response all thought out for this idiot...but I can't be bothered to sign up to that crap-hole of a site in an attempt to point out the obvious to someone who will never, ever see it...I'll put the "short" version here...
I couldn’t resist signing up for that website two days ago. Even got the well thought out screen name MassEffect. I was nice and did not resort to name calling, but I was tempted after the blog he posted yesterday in response to all the comments.

SilentScope001, I see his point and I agree with both of you that there are games that demean women and other minorities are not appropriate. All I am saying is Mass Effect is not one of those games. If you ban Mass Effect because of its content, you could do the same to all the examples I gave above for their content.

As to keeping rated Mature games out of the hands of children, it is not our job to raise everyone else’s children, despite what Hilary Clinton says. The games are rated and should not be sold to underage children. If the parent decides the game is appropriate for their child, then that is their decision.

I couldn’t resist signing up for that website two days ago.



Good....you wanna post that response for me?? *chuckle*
I just....just...Lord..it makes me SO MAD.
I'm not even talking about the debate over censorship or nanny-states. Just the sheer...Lies...I say again...L.I.E.S. that he gets away with make me want to be ill.
I put up with so much crap in my job, and irresponsible, sensationalist attention-wh***s like him make my job that much harder every damn day..

Gah!!!

*fume*

You know, the guy actually has a point. He focuses on the 'sex' aspect of the game, but, it raises something interesting.

It's called "Mass Effect" and it allows its players - universally male no doubt - to engage in the most realistic sex acts ever conceived. One can custom design the shape, form, bodies, race, hair style, breast size of the images they wish to "engage" and then watch in crystal clear, LCD, 54 inch screen, HD clarity as the video game "persons" hump in every form, format, multiple, gender-oriented possibility they can think of.
Focusing is one thing. Lying, as Uileand said, is something another.

Focusing is one thing. Lying, as Uileand said, is something another.
In fairness to Mr. McCullough, by race he meant the ethnicity of the character. I do not understand what was so awful about bing able to choose race. Why would a game that allows me to play it as someone of African decent be objectionable? Mr. McCullough rhetoric borders on racist and homophonic, however I am sure the website would not allow such tendencies to be published. ;)

I also find it funny that BioWare estimates show that 30-40% of the Mass Effect forum users are female. I guess we can add sexist to the tendencies he displays.

I will not call Mr. McCullough a liar, but he was terribly misinform and forgot to check his facts (or do any research) before writing the article, so I will not be calling him a journalist either.

You can play as a woman, but I think most people will choose to play as a Man, and that's where his point is drawn, the game is targeted towards young kids who love sex, and that is totally wrong. And even a female can objectify a male, it's still objectiving.
Young kids who love sex? Congrats. You just named neary every teenager that has ever existed.

I think you are missing the point. You can throw sex out of video games, but sex is everywhere. You cannot, and never will escape it. The young cannot escape it. TV, movies, games, magazines, etc all depict sex and relationships.

Are you saying that relationships over periods of time will not ever lead to sex, ever? I know this may bring your world crashing down around you, but here is a fun fact for you: Girls love sex as much as guys do. Girls may think of it in a different way, but that doesn't remove the fact that it is pretty even for both genders. Girls are not innocent rays of sunshine that are born nuns, corrupted by men and media to follow sins of the body.

They are characters in a confined space (in this case a space ship) for days, weeks at a time. All they have to really do it talk and get to know eachother. Then they fight together, and protect eachother. Women in Mass Effect are seen as equals to men in civilian and military, so the crew is mix gendered. It may be a game, but in a real situation there would be relationships, and there would be sex. And the men would -not- be the only ones going after them.

Women fall in love too. Women try and form relationships. Women will try to get you in bed. These are facts of life. Saying that getting a women in bed is putting a bad light on them is silly, and would really only apply to women selling their body.

I'm think he'll tolerate the objectiving of women somewhat (altough not much, but it is commonplace in other media)...it's the objectiving of human beings for SEX. One of the draws for the game is sex and pornography and having mates. And I disagree with women being treated as 'an equal', you're not an equal if you are seen by a Male Shepard as someone to flirt with. You want to flirt with a woman, you are likely to get her to the ground.
Relationships lead to sex. I'm sorry, but thats just how it works. That is where babies come from, at least some of the time.

Genders flirt with eachother. Sometimes guys flirt with girls, sometimes girls flirt with guys, sometimes girls flirt with girls, sometimes guys flirt with guys. It is a relationship building tool and a way to get close to someone. I see people flirting with eachother everytime I go into town, turn on my TV, etc.

And yes, flirting leads to relationships, which eventually can lead to sex. Not all relationships work, but it just so happens they work in Mass Effect. They are bored soliders on a ship with mix gendered ranks. Realistically, that would lead to flirting between the crew. These people are not nuns or saints, and even those two don't have the greatest track record.

Men and women are treated pretty equally in Mass Effect, and thats one of the reasons I loved the game. Women are rarely granted the ranks in real life that women in that game have. They give orders, stand up for themselves, and kick ass while doing it. But, suddenly because they want to jump in bed with someone to release stress they are bad people? They may have the rank, the attitude, and the guns, but because they happen to have human urges they are placing a bad light on women everywhere?


But, I'm just tired of this nonsense. Utterly tired. This 'objectivation' and 'ooh, mates' feeling that is masquarding as 'romance' is trash (the mechanic at the least), and we need to get rid of it and actually have gameplay that focus on stuff that matters. Like the debate about religious extermism. :)
Nobody is forcing you into the relationships. It is an option, not a requirement. You and I are perfectly free to talk to the characters about everything else but the relationships. I, on the other hand liked the relationships aspect of the game as I feel it made it more realistic and made me much more connected emotionally to the characters. If I want to hear a bunch of people rant about religious and political stuff, I'll read Kavar's more often.

SilentScope001, I see his point and I agree with both of you that there are games that demean women and other minorities are not appropriate. All I am saying is Mass Effect is not one of those games. If you ban Mass Effect because of its content, you could do the same to all the examples I gave above for their content.
And while you are at it, ban all sex or references to sex in all movies, television, the internet, and the rest of the media. And don't stop there! I think we should "eliminate" every person that says the word sex, or even talks about it. Then, we should create thought police and place cameras in every house and every building to watch people, and if anybody is seen speaking or having sex, or any relationship at all, we eliminate them from society. Then nobody is demeaning anybody. Nobody is being scarred by anything. Oh, and any animals that have sex we should get rid of as well so they don't harm our children.

On the other hand, our species would die out within about fifty years. But, oh well. Least sex is gone.

You know, the guy actually has a point. He focuses on the 'sex' aspect of the game, but, it raises something interesting. Honestly, it DOES objectivy women as people to just have sex with. Like most other RPG games. Especially the Bastila peverts. Is it good? Is it bad? I'll tell you one thing though, I'm utterly tired of it.
In case you never noticed, relationships are optional in most rpg games. Fine, call me a pervert for enjoying a relationship and human emotions in games I play. Nobody is forcing any of you to do this. Hot Coffee was a mod that had to be downloaded and installed on a ripped version of the game. Bastila is an optional relationship in Kotor. Mass Effect has optional relationships. You'd be less tired of it if you stopped doing the optional stuff in the game, and if you never have done them then you have no right to call it a bad aspect to a game and everybody who enters it a pervert.

Did this guy actually play the game, or is he just some ignorant moron who wants to blab his mouth about whatever he wants to? I mean, seriously, this guy can't have played it.... so where does he get his information?

I think you are missing the point. You can throw sex out of video games, but sex is everywhere. You cannot, and never will escape it. The young cannot escape it. TV, movies, games, magazines, etc all depict sex and relationships.

QFT.

Its not exactly a good thing, but "easier said than done" pretty much fits.

Did this guy actually play the game, or is he just some ignorant moron who wants to blab his mouth about whatever he wants to? I mean, seriously, this guy can't have played it.... so where does he get his information?YouTube and a couple of what he called gamer friends. Look at his Blog on that same site for his reply and then his "so-called" apology.

I see his point! Mario's mushroom usage is a hidden message to start using drugs! Donkey Kong violates wild animals by forcing them to wear a tie! God of War stimulates white people to shave their heads and...let's not go there...:xp:

Anyways, the only interesting thing I get from this whole story is thar evolution is going backwards. People's brains tend to shrink, it seems...

Man, don't even pay attention to this guy. He's just pissing people off so more people will view his fourth-rate webpage.

Got to concur with Corinthian. If you don't like his work, DON'T LOOK AT HIS WEBSITE. "More website traffic"="attention for the blogger"=possibly more fame and money for the Blogger".

He's obviously played the game he wanted to play rather than the one that's actually in the Sex-Box 360; projecting his sexual frustrations onto it. How Freudian...

*giggles* Sex-box 360...

Yeah i think i want the copy of Mass Effect he has. Blatently clear the guy only walked in onto the cutscene or saw a youtube video of the game.

Well im now going to play Assassins Creed, where hopefully my Altair won't hump an eagle in every form, format, multiple, gender-oriented possibility he can think of. If so, il close my eyes and dream of my dear Liara T'soni. :smash: