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Christian Investment Firm lists "Top 30 Most Offensive Games", Army of Two is "Homo-Erotic"

December 05, 2008 in News comments 44

The Timothy Plan, a "conservative Christian" investment firm is warning parents away from what it calls the "Top 30 Most Offensive Video Games". Games are marked as offensive based on the amount of violence, sex, nudity, demonic references, homosexual references, and addictiveness.

A rather odd addition to the list was Army of Two. It was marked as offensive not for its violence or war themes, but for having "homo-erotic undertones". Hmmm ... they might be looking a little too deeply into that one.

In its game rankings, the organization displays an obvious anti-gay bias. While it evaluates titles for sex and nudity, a gay/lesbian rating is also included, meaning that a game with a gay sexual encounter might get a double whammy when compared to a game where the sex is of the straight variety. This effect, for instance, pushes Fable II onto the group's most offensive list. Along that line a report prepared by the Timothy Plan contains this rather bizarre comment:

quote The Timothy Plan
Army of Two: Homosexual Encounters: ...Somewhat homo-erotic undertones between the two main characters are present.
The group maintains a corporate "hall of shame" which includes game publishers EA, Take-Two and Microsoft. The Timothy Plan also offers to screen your portfolio to see if any of your mutual funds have investments in shameful companies.

quote The Timothy Plan
Full list:

18 - Grand Theft Auto 4
18 – Saints Row 2
16 – Fallout 3
15 – Bioshock
14 – Manhunt 2
12 – Age of Conan
12 – Condemned 2: Bloodshot
11 – Blitz: The League 2
11 – Crackdown
11 – The Darkness
11 – God of War 2
11 – Mass Effect
10 – Bully: Scholarship Edition
9 – Def Jam: Icon
9 – Devil May Cry 4
9 – Fable 2
9 – God of War: Chains of Olympus
9 – Metal Gear Solid 4
9 – Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl
9 – World of Warcraft
8 – Haze
8 – Hellgate: London
8 – Kane & Lynch
8 – No More Heroes
8 – Silent Hill: Homecoming
8 – Stranglehold
7 – Army of Two
7 – Gears of War 2
7 – Silent Hill: Origins
6 – Resistance 2
Miss Razz via gamepolitics.com »
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  • 0
    Play ISDF Dec 6, 08
    I label the The Timothy Plan as silly, stupid, a blight upon humanity, vulgar, demonic, blasphemes and totally full of bullshit!

    I seriously get sick of certain groups being on their high horse acting like they know everything. Especially when it comes to games which they haven't even touched with a 20ft pole. Please, get a *bleep*ing life and let people enjoy their games.
  • 0
    ShadowJ Dec 6, 08
    looks like Jack Thompson has brainwashed someone else to do his dirty work.

    I shall sit back and laugh as I watch the game companies swat this away like an annoying bug in summer.
  • 0
    Zero and X Dec 6, 08
    How the *bleep* is Metal Gear Solid 4 offensive!? Did he just see guns and say "OMG IT HAS GUNZ!" and assume that was enough for it to be "offensive"!?

    Also, how is a football game offensive? Did he get beat up by jocks growing up?

    This guy is FAIL.
    • 0
      ShadowJ Dec 6, 08
      Well other than Kane & Lynch, the list ironically enough hosts all the popular games released and have been very successful over the last few years...well except manhunt 2 which was banned almost everywhere I believe.

      That's the only reason why I can see WoW being on that list...to be honest I haven't even bothered to read the full article as I know it would rile me up to the point that I would be emailing the dorks that spew this kind of bile but I can grasp the basic concept that they are grabbing at straws, wanting attention and hiding behind the excuse of religion just by reading the GG article
    • 0
      Xeros the Slayer Dec 6, 08
      In blitz the league, you're encouraged to use steroids and theres even an achievement for literally breaking other player's balls. So I can see why its up there.
  • 0
    joshthegreat Dec 6, 08
    What was the point in this? If he's annoyed with these games he shouldn't be listing them he should be doing something that might actually have some kind of effect...


    Alle douche.
    • 3
      Ameer Dec 6, 08
      Which would you rather? Them bitching about it, or them bitching about it and taking action?

      Let them whine. As long as they do nothing, it doesn't matter.
  • 1
    BANDITO ATTACK Dec 6, 08
    i love how you can *offend* a conservative christian group simply by being gay. its like all these dudes do is sit and grind their teeth in a xenophobic rage over the fact that some guy somewhere likes dudes.

    i bet these guys *bleep*ing LOVE cho aniki. i know i do.
    • 5
      Zero and X Dec 6, 08
      Most of these guys are in the closet but they bitch about gays, hypocrites.
  • 0
    HisServant77 Dec 6, 08
    Guys . . . Being a Christian Minister (Please keep reading, most seem to read this part about me and never read any further, and everything is ignored), let me explain something. The Timothy Plan is simply an organization that informs Christians who want to use their money. They inform them on companies and what the companies believe and if there are any business plans that would go against the standards and beliefs of Christians. This is to help Christians who want to invest their money in businesses that won't use their money, to do things they don't agree with. Sort of "I believe wholeheartedly that this thing is wrong" while handing money over to someone who uses the money to do the very thing you think is wrong.

    The Timothy Plan has NO connection whatsoever with Jack Thompson despite any gamers' personal views on them. They are not telling everyone "HEY DON'T BUY GAMES!" or "GAMES ARE EVVVVIIIIIIIIILLLL!"

    In this case, The Timothy Plan is letting their investors and those they seek to help (which are other Christians by the way), which games contain these things that they disagree with, so that the people spend money on things they want to spend money on. It is purely to help people make decisions, they've already made. Nothing about changing their minds on the games, or anything of the sort.

    So . . . what is wrong with The Timothy Plan's list? People complain that Christians are all Hypocrites because they don't stick to Christian standards in their lives. Then when a Christian Organization helps Christians to invest their money in things that don't go against Christian beliefs . . . thereby helping Christians to actually HAVE those Christian/Biblical standards . . . they are attacked even more? I guess in the eyes of some people, Christians just can't win either way?

    Personally, The Timothy Plan has my applause, and I do support them.

    Yet again though, I think most of you misunderstand, that they are not telling people want to do or changing minds on video games or saying they're evil. They are informing those Christians that they help, on what games those Christians may want to avoid investing in, if they are wanting to keep to Biblical Standards regarding their money.
    • 0
      kik36 Dec 6, 08
      Makes sense. Can't really say I've ever met a minister who plays video games......so nice to meet ya! ^.^

      I don't see anything wrong with any group INFORMING others as to what is involved in a video game as long as they don't try to ban them. The more informed people are, the more intelligent decisions they can make when buying games for their kids. Us gamers don't want little 6 year old Billy playing GTA IV anymore then parents do.
    • 1
      RabidChinaGirl Dec 6, 08
      Dude, I dunno, I just like the article image. XD It's ironic because those two were recently in a "Top Bromance" list posted on GG.

      I guess clarifying the list helps. I can't say it changes my views too much regarding what is stereotypically perceived as Christianity (I'm not gonna get into the Bible an' all since it could be disrespectful to you), but I generally choose to ignore a person's religion unless they give me shit about not being like them...

      Some of those games on his lists are really reaching though. That's still pretty silly to me. I mean someone who doesn't think about that sort of thing isn't gonna play all those games and see the "filth" he sees, which to me is the unfair part. Biggest example being Army of Two. Man, I really didn't see it as homoerotic. I think you either have to be homosexual or homophobic to really notice.
      • 0
        kik36 Dec 7, 08
        I think you nailed it with the homophobic point RCG.
    • 1
      chautemoc Dec 7, 08
      quote
      "Homosexual Themes: Although never spoken of, undertones of homosexuality are present. Weaponry in the game can be decorated to be anything from diamond encrusted to gold plated. You share a parachute, and the riot shield system allows one player to use a shield or car door as portable cover while the other cuddles up close behind and dispenses 'lead' from his 'iron'."
      Sorry, cant take that seriously.
  • 1
    Jaw Knee Dec 6, 08
    *bleep* Christians, Catholics and religion as a whole.
    • 1
      Sayyed Dec 6, 08
      Its not the religion, it is the individuals in the religion. People should really start to realize that before they start bashing religion in a whole.
      • 1
        Jaw Knee Dec 25, 08
        You know what? I'm going to bash religion as a whole. Christians are goddamn pussies. "Oh, these guys are gay, let's not put this game on shelves." "Oh, this game has sexual innuendos, let's not put this game on shelves." *bleep* the Catholic Church. The only things that have been coming from it lately are bullshit arguments, bullshit protests and dilated anuses.
        • 0
          HisServant77 Dec 25, 08
          Someone's got some issues there.

          If you ask me, it seems a bit harder and requires more strength to go against the flow of things and say those things you quoted, and live those things, rather than go with the general public. Not to mention, knowing you'll face condemnation from people such as yourself. If Christians were as you said, we'd shudder and say "Okay, okay, nevermind. Don't hate me, if you want it you can have it. Just don't hit me mister bully." I find more strength involved in having standards and living by them, than being hypocritical, or just giving into whatever everyone else wants or says is perfectly okay.
      • 0
        HawkMan Dec 25, 08
        It is religion because those individuals are *bleep*ed up retards that makes religion as a whole intolerable.
        • 0
          HisServant77 Dec 26, 08
          You can say the same about people in general.
        • 0
          Capn Droid Jan 13, 09
          They are individuals because there are actually Christians out there with a good purpose. WHOA, UNBELIEVABLE.
    • 2
      Zero and X Dec 6, 08
      Not all religious people are assholes, theres no need to generalize like that.
      • 1
        HisServant77 Dec 6, 08
        Exactly. I'm a Minister even. Would you imagine a minister playing video games, and posting on a site like this, regularly?

        It's like I use the example: "Don't judge the math's validity, based off a mathmetician's life" if you get what I mean.
    • 0
      RabidChinaGirl Dec 6, 08
      Live and let live, man. You're just contributing to the cycle of misunderstanding.
  • 0
    Storm Dec 6, 08
    This is only giving them a bad name. I'd be afraid of this firm...I mean to think of Army of Two as homo-erotic...what the hell?
    • 0
      HisServant77 Dec 6, 08
      Not really, they aren't focused on appeasing the general public. Just doing their job of informing those who rely on them.

      As for the homo-erotic thing with AOT . . . I do have to laugh a bit. I didn't play the whole game through, but I guess some people can say it's homo-erotic. Even non-Christians. It doesn't help matters that they were placed on the top list of "Bromances" which the title "Bromance" to me is a bit . . . gay itself
      • 0
        Storm Dec 6, 08
        People rely on them? Like a cult?

        Oh yeah, two "hitmen" you could say, working together = homo-erotic. It's not like they shared a Brokeback moment.
        • 0
          HisServant77 Dec 6, 08
          No . . . people rely on them. Like their Lawyers, Investment Brokers, Teachers, Parents, Physicians . . . I could go on if you want. Or hows about . . . people rely on them like Gamers who beat a game and offer help to those who didn't beat it yet.

          That mention of AOT in my comment was meant light-heartedly. Pay special attention to my mention of the title "Bromance"
        • 0
          Storm Dec 6, 08
          I know, I was kidding about the 'cult' bit, myself. No offense.

          I understand their point of view, but this is a very odd "guideline." If anything, they should bash AoT for the violence and corruption (dirty uniforms) or something. The teamwork promotes teamwork. :S
  • 0
    HisServant77 Dec 6, 08
    I would also like to add this link from their website itself:
    http://www.timothyplan.com/ProActive/frame-ProActive-videogame.htm
    Paying attention to what THEY say:
    quote
    This is not an attempt to ban video games, or dictate whether people should play them.
    This is purely meant to inform parents who are concerned with the moral content/issues contained in video games and make available to them information which is not easily found.

    We understand, with this being a controversial issue, that some may not agree with more complete information being made available to those without the time, temperament or even talent to completely research the content of the wide array of video games presently available. However, we hope all will respect the rights of everyone to raise their children in a way they feel best matches their values and beliefs.
    • 1
      Storm Dec 6, 08
      Fair enough, but I still think it's stupid. "Parents, don't buy Army of Two for your kids for Christmas, unless of course you are 100% sure that they have come out of the closet." I mean, I understand why the other games are up there, some have strong sexual themes, others are big on the gore, but AoT? Meh. The reason behind that is really out there.
  • 1
    Shinobi_razor Dec 6, 08
    theyre right. Army of Two is a pretty gay game.

    besides, i played about half of it and all i caught was them punching each other and calling each other pervase names. they should be worried about that rather than the homo eroticism which is non existant.
    • 0
      Storm Dec 6, 08
      You can make them punch each other. They don't do that in cutscenes, it's part of a praise/scold emote or something, praise them for a good job or hit them for screwing up. Can't speak for the names as I don't remember them really name-calling.
      • 1
        HisServant77 Dec 6, 08
        I think I remember the name calling and all that. I could never seem to figure out the whole punch/praise thing though. I always did the opposite of what I meant
        • 0
          Storm Dec 6, 08
          Same here. I just punched my friend for the hell of it, just to annoy him.
      • 0
        Shinobi_razor Jan 12, 09
        the name calling is part of the "scold" system as you called it, sometimes when you hit that button you hit the guy and your guy calls him a dumbass or something similar. i cant remember what but i remember one time, my guy said something really funny when i pressed Scold. i think it involved Terrell Owens.
  • 0
    Final Blade Dec 6, 08
    The list is laughable, but I was hoping to find the full list of games, on the source yet it shows nothing. So Gothic Girl where did you find it? I also checked the alternate source and same thing.
    • 0
      Slumpy monkey Dec 7, 08
      "Document Dump: Get the Timothy Plan's game score card here. The group's press release with holiday shopping warnings is here."

      Bottom of source article.
      • 0
        Final Blade Dec 7, 08
        I clicked that, nothing showed up for me.
        • 0
          Capn Droid Dec 25, 08
          Same. All I got was a broken PDF.
        • 0
          Slumpy monkey Dec 25, 08
          Hmmmmm, It worked for me when I clicked it.
  • 1
    MajorLaggingGamers Dec 7, 08
    This random will be the new Jack Thompson. Give him until March 13th, 2009.Mark my words.
  • 0
    Capn Droid Dec 25, 08
    Christian Investment Firm lists "Top 30 Most Offensive Games", Army of Two is "Homo-Erotic"

    Christian Investment Firm

    Christian

    Oops, looks like I completely forgot to read the rest of the article. Or is it the fact that I don't really give a shit anymore?


    Also, how can you confused a happy little-kid game with Gears 2 or GTAIV? The cover of the game should explain everything.
  • 0
    Solid Snake 4Life Jan 12, 09
    I don't see the gayness in army of 2. And I should know gay. It's always fun to talk to your drunken gay uncle, get a few stories. My only problem with things like this is that recently onmly video games are getting the end of the boot. I can only remember one movie in the last decade to cause a major christian problem. I'll give you a hint it involved 2 gay cowboys and a late great young actor.

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