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OXCGN Bleeps Out - Shut The F Up - Gratuitous Swearing In Games A Growning Concern

April 27, 2009 in Blog comments 19

OXCGN writer David Hilton has his say on the growing amount of gratuitous swearing that seems to be appearing in almost every game.

We've created a generation where many think thatis the normal language, see what he has to say on the matter, perhaps you have "something to say"

I swear (figuratively), playing all the gung-ho “I’m cool ’cause I’ve got tons of bad language” games these days can feel like I’m on Xbox Live with drunken foul-mouthed sods from the Country That Shall Remain Nameless.

Case in point: the recent Chronicles of Riddick: Assault On Dark Athena. The enemy just don’t shut the *bleep* up! Here’s a few examples of their inspired passages of dialogue: “You don’t know who you are *bleep**** with!”. (Yes I do actually…and you’re a joke to kill…). “Eat shit and die!” (Wow, original). “*bleep**** die!” (No! You first!).

Sure, when I picked up 50 Cent: Blood On The Sand I knew I was heading into obviously colourful language territory, and I can admit that some of it was even mildly amusing. The gameplay begins with: “It’s a *bleep**** ambush!” followed by “Mother *bleep****” when a guy gets shot, and then “That bitch took my skull!”, all while a thumping song in the background streams constant ‘f’, ‘b’, ‘n’ and ’s’ words. Click the left stick constantly and Fiddy’s taunts sound like he’s got Tourette’s Syndrome.
XboxOZ360 via oxcgn.com »
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  • 0
    chautemoc Apr 28, 09
    Best example ever:

    http://videos.neoseeker.com/gametrailers/1089-50-cent-blood-on-the-sand-smack-talk-montage/



    In cases like that I think it's appropriate (cause it's freaking hilarious), and in ones where it's realistic to expect it of characters, but I'm sure there are cases where it's contrived. Haven't encountered any yet though. I think it's cool there's swearing in games, based on my experiences thus far.
    • 1
      kik36 Apr 28, 09
      "Fire in da mutha*bleep*in' hole!!" LMFAO LMFAO How he says that shit with a straight face is beyond me. What makes it so cheesy is the music in the background of course. Oh and his gold watch, cause I always like to cap ma*bleep*as with my bling on!! LMFAO
  • 3
    Red 9 Apr 28, 09
    MGS4 was pretty lacking in terms of swearing, but it was still badass. I don't need my character swearing to make me feel cool.
  • 3
    Linkin Park Fan Apr 28, 09
    Over excessive swearing just seems like the game is trying to hard to 'bad-ass' usually it backfires. It just shows bad story telling.

    And another example, GOW has hardly any swearing, yet pretty bad-ass and has an amazing story.
  • 1
    RabidChinaGirl Apr 28, 09
    I dunno, Gears of War cracks me up pretty hard with all the gratuitous swearing. In my opinion, many games DON'T have excessive swearing, but the ones that do just stand out more.
  • 2
    Red 9 Apr 28, 09
    Yes, but does it stand out in a good way? Personally swearing adds nothing to the experience at all, and I don't see how it could for anyone else.
    • 4
      Immortal Kaim Apr 28, 09
      I think it is totally dependent on the game. GTA4 for example is a game set in the shady underworld of gangsters and criminal organisations, I can't imagine playing that game without swearing. It can add to the legitimacy of the dialogue if it's within the right context.
  • 5
    Seeker X Apr 28, 09
    A growing concern...?

    You can blow an enemy's skull away and literally turn it into bloody chunks (Fallout 3), that's totally fine. Once a character says *bleep*, something is obviously wrong.
    • 2
      XboxOZ360 Apr 28, 09
      The growing concern is that many younger generations now think this is "normal language" to be used anywhere. In buses with others around, on trains, in mixed company, even at the dinner table.

      There's a time and place for everything. I'm no prude, but I chose my words depending on who I'm with, not just open my mouth and let it all flow out at anytime.

      That is the growing concern.

      And we're not talking about violence in games, we're talking about swearing - gratuitous style. The other is yet another story.
      • 4
        chautemoc Apr 28, 09
        Well that's where parents come in, or are supposed to. Way I was raised, I wouldn't dare swear in front of my parents -- they trained me well, I learned not to do it around them.
      • 4
        Seeker X Apr 28, 09
        quote
        The growing concern is that many younger generations now think this is "normal language" to be used anywhere. In buses with others around, on trains, in mixed company, even at the dinner table.
        If that's the case, then VG's are the least of your troubles. Pretty sure that movies and music are 2 bigger culprits. Sure, many VG's actually include swearing, though from my experience, I can count with my hands how many include excessive swearing. A lot of us who have had responsible parents teach us right from wrong are mature enough to know this thing.

        Secondly, it helps keep things realistic...can't fault a person for saying "Oh *bleep*!" if I dropped a grenade down their pants, because it sure as hell beats "Oh, pussyfeathers", if you get what I mean.

        Thirdly: Chautemoc's got that one covered.
        • 3
          RabidChinaGirl Apr 28, 09
          Oh buttonbumpers, I just got chainsawed!
        • 1
          HisServant77 Apr 28, 09
          It beats that? What are you talking about? I always came up with some humours replacements for cuss words! It's awesome to do.
      • 1
        Seproth Apr 28, 09
        Good... there's nothing wrong with "bad" language. If a few syllables that society deems inappropriate can hurt your delicate little psyche then I feel bad for you.

        Words are only as hurtful as their intent, and because of that it really doesn't matter what you say. It's volume, body language, and tone that should bother people.
  • 0
    HisServant77 Apr 28, 09
    Wow. . . Just . . . WOW! I just about completely agree with this article!

    One, I prefer to enjoy my games with surround sound and don't feel like fearing the kids hearing that trash.
    Two, I'm mature enough to know that I actually can use words that are not profane! I don't need cuss words to make myself feel mature, in fact I find it does the opposite! I don't need to be brought down by the games I play. If a game has excessive language I don't buy it. Point blank (if I was interested in it, well, my interest and love for the game has to take second place to my standards). If I bought it and didn't know, I will mute the game while playing, and put on some music instead (or turn off the dialog/voice in the game).

    I do believe the generations being raised up are getting to where it's the norm. And that aggravates me because it only makes the person look ignorant. Can't come up with some other words? Lack vocabulary and instead say what everyone else says? Why not go against the flow and be your own person? Even when I was into all sorts of . . . well before my faith took place in my life I worked on being unique by using other words beside profanity. Came up with some funny outbursts that's for sure.

    There is a time and place for those things, and I think people need to learn that. And the ones growing up right now need to learn it even more. Otherwise they'll get worse, then teach their kids the same, and it'll be a snowball effect.
  • 0
    King_X2 Apr 28, 09
    People who think they're cool because they have games with characters who swear excessively are morons. Swearing doesn't make a game cool at all; in fact some of the best games don't have any profanity whatsoever.

    Hopefully the next Mario game won't drop the F-bomb.
  • 3
    chautemoc Apr 28, 09
    • 0
      HisServant77 Apr 28, 09
      HAHAHA that is EXACTLY What I'd love to see. It'd definitely be hilarious. Just a random "Aw, I love you!" "You're SOOOOO cute I could eat you all up"
      • 0
        carouselambra Apr 28, 09
        seriously, what the *bleep* you talking about man?

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