Taboo: I Need Advice

[Kangy]

Okay, I figure that children in video games where certain existential problems may occur are definately taboo. I'm currently writing a script for a mod I'd like to make, and I'm considering a scripted scene for a band of youths (13-16) amongst a crowd of civilians throwing stones and bricks at you in an armoured vehicle, screaming abuse at you. The issue is the fact that they could be killed by the player.

Do I do this? Shooting them would of course end in punishment, possibly a game over, but I'd still like to know if this is possible, and whether it would bring real hatred to the modification, despite the punishment and the reason behind the minors hating you.

It wouldn't be done tastelessly as GTA or Postal would do it.

Is this going too far, or would it be acceptable as long as it is punished and that was the only scene of it?

Edit: I'm kind of fearful of some woman saying her "Good Little Timmy" learned to kill from it, or something, and that it supports the slaughter of minors.

 

[Farrowlesparrow]

I wouldn't really know what to think of that...personally I wouldn't want to kill children but I wouldn't hate you for making the mod. However, a lot of people will. Thats not because they are morally better either, its more likely to just be engrained into their psyche.

 

[Kangy]

Obviously, you don't have to. It'd be interesting to see whether I could create a compelling enough storyline to make the player lose that one bit of humanity, because of what's happening.

 

[HunterSeeker]

I think you should add it, if it fits the atmosphere you are looking for. Too me it sounds like it is a war mod and the player is on the attackers side, I think this would help make it seem like the defenders are not just beings of pure evil out to kill you.

If the player kills them it is the players problem, not yours (Unless you have them running around when there is a lot of fighting going on).

 

[The Dark Elf]

Just be really really really careful what you do Kangy, cause it can and often will come back to bite you on the ass.

 

[KagePrototype]

You'll be fine. You could kill children in Deus Ex, and it didn't get any heat for it AFAIK. As long as it isn't the primary gameplay device, and the player doesn't have to do it to advance in the mod or anything, then you're fine.

 

[f|uke]

You would be lucky to recieve media retaliation,. but you'd certainly need to go a lot farther then that to do it.

 

[Orgonomist]

If you're going to do it, be open-minded about it and don't smack the player with some sort of arbitrary "game over" screen. Otherwise, what's the point?

Personally, I'd put it in. I had a similar idea for a mod concept I've been mulling over myself.

 

[ButtHoleMcGee]

How exactly is putting kids in a video game existential?

 

[BabyHeadCrab]

i'l be first in line for your children killing mod. w00t!


for real though it's just a game, at least your not killing crippled defenseless kids, these ****ers have bricks and stones! I say make no penalty.. they are trying to kill you! penalty = wasted ammo

 

[Kangy]

How exactly is putting kids in a video game existential?

No, you didn't get it.

When you die, you have existance issues.

 

[Spartan]

Do I do this? Shooting them would of course end in punishment, possibly a game over, but I'd still like to know if this is possible, and whether it would bring real hatred to the modification, despite the punishment and the reason behind the minors hating you.

Who cares? If you want to make a mod where you can kill minors, do it. It's not like it's illegal or anything. Besides, if the minors in questions are hurling bricks and shit at you, there's no reason not to kill them.

 

[bliink]

You could, but, you could avoid the whole slew of ethical and moral problems by using adults. (I dont think it would affect atmosphere in any great way)

 

[DarkStar]

Go for it. As long as the PURPOSE isn't to kill the kids it sounds like a really cool moment to me.

 

[DoctorGordon3]

Make it so you can kill the kiddies. They're cherubs i tell you.

 

[h00dlum]

I remember in the game Swat 3 there was a baby but you couldt shoot at it

 

[ltzgonemad]

It would be cool if they we'rent just ''kiddies'', but full gangs of revolters who ran around with bricks, pipes, glass, cobblestone, w/e ^^

 

[Mattigus]

I say let the player kill the kids. Damn kids, no respect these days...