So, an indie game going by the name of “ Hatred ” made its presence known to the world recently thanks to its gameplay reveal trailer from its Polish creator, Destructive Creations. After spending only a few days in the limelight, it’s already garnered criticism in both support and condemnation due to the title’s reported subject matter, which has been covered as brutally depicting mass murdering and public shooting with a sort of Sin City -like movie-filter over it.
I’ve shared my part in covering the trailer’s graphic content, but more so due to because of Epic Games–the creators of Gears of War– requesting to have the logo of its Unreal Engine 4 removed from the game’s trailer .
While the trailer’s content is indeed brutal, Hatred has nonetheless provoked a mixed response, particularly along the lines respecting the developer’s vision of the game regardless of its content, praising it as a game that doesn’t sugar coat what it is, and condemning it a simple-minded game about an antagonist who hates humanity (which basically is what the game is really about).
So, should we condone Hatred as a game that goes against the flow as an openly violent isometric shooter, or should we condemn it as a game that depicts a subject matter that has happened in real-life far too many times?
Alternatively, a third question is whether or not it is different to what we already have. I mean, is it? We already have plenty of games that involve an individual (i.e. you) going around and mowing people down with a hail of gunfire just for the fun of it, such as the whole Grand Theft Auto franchise. Several games give you options to go around and kill people with a variety of weapons, so why does Hatred provoke a shocking reaction if we already have games that allow for similar avenues of virtual violence?
The way it has been covered as depicting mass shooting from across a lot of media outlets probably doesn’t help matters, and I fully acknowledge I had a part to play in this well. Upon further analysis of the game’s trailer, I reckon that the game’s aesthetic also doesn’t help its subject matter.
Whereas in other games that allow for mass shootings, games that are usually quite colorful, bombastic and comical in tone, Hatred screams “dark and edgy” because its grim, black-and-white-like filter–at least to me–which, as a result, adds seriousness to its content. If Hatred was colorful and comical, lightheartedness would be added to its content instead.
Hatred has definitely turned heads, and the game’s developer has seen this as a positive thing. While all might not agree, Destructive Creations has earned a lot of respect because of its diversion from the norm with Hatred .
“ We wanted to create something against trends, ” the studio wrote on its official website . “ Something different, something that could give the player a pure, gaming pleasure. Here comes our game, which takes no prisoners and makes no excuses. We say ‘yes, it is a game about killing people’ and the only reason of the antagonist doing that sick stuff is his deep-rooted hatred.
…just don’t try this at home and don’t take it too seriously, it’s just a game. :), ” the studio disclaims.
Hatred is seemingly on that line that crosses controversy and artistic vision, and it’s really up to the beholder to decide for themselves whether or not the game is more so on one side than the other. No doubt its subject matter will put a lot people off, that’s understandable, but a lot of people will also be attracted to it, too. That doesn’t mean to say that anyone who wants to play this game supports public / mass shootings (that’s just silly), it could just mean that they’re drawn to try the game out because of what it is: a shooter that pulls no punches about what it is and what it does.
So, should Hatred be condemned? Or Condoned? Should it be praised for its vision? Or should it be chastised for what it depicts? That’s a question that’s ultimately up to you to answer. In all honesty, however, Hatred really isn’t that different from what’s already been done–it just does it a bit more graphically and honestly.
What do you think, though? Let us know in the comments below!