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School Safety

School Massacre Video Game Could Hit Market Soon

March 02, 2011 | Comments (79) | Post a comment


Photo via Flickr, włodi

HOUSTON — A video game developed by Checkerboard Studios called "School Shooter: North American Tour 2012" - a release date for which has yet to be announced - is already causing controversy. The purpose of the game is to kill unarmed students on a school campus. 

Players use weapons modeled after those used in the shootings at Columbine High School and Virginia Tech, among others, Fox News reports. The game's creator, who goes by the pseudonym Pawnstick, says he hopes the game will prevent school shootings by satisfying violent urges in its players.

According to the Checkerboard Studios Web site, players can commit suicide in the game at the end of their shooting spree. The voices of developers providing commentary will be masked to prevent potential backlash, according to the game description.

Writer Greg Tito, in an article from The Escapist in which he interviews Pawnstick, calls the game "morally reprehensible" and states that it is step backward for the gaming industry.

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"Satisfy their violent urges?" That's an incredibly naive statement, at best. This is dangerous.
Steve Satterly
March 2, 2011
This is just plain horrible. Whoever signed off on this is an idiot or greedy or both.
Dennis
March 2, 2011
I am not sure how this game will prevent school shootings by satisfying violent urges in its players, it may just give them more support in how to carry it out. I am oppposed to the release of this game.
Patty
March 3, 2011
Wow, how on God's green earth can these people honestly believe that if kids play this game that it would take out their frustrations? Maybe they should do more psychological research on children's cognitive development before they actually start believing their own excuses for putting this type of media into production. If Pawnstick really believes his reasoning, it is because he and the company are trying to make an unethical decision make sense in their own minds. It is not about helping the kids take out their frustrations it is about the almighty dollar, plain and simple. This company knows violence sells and anything that might generate a profit is fair game. I am a school resource officer and if people continue to glorify violence, drug dealing, sex and other vices that effect the way our kids behave I will see more and more kids in my office for illegal acts.
Ofc Compton
March 3, 2011
OMG! Are you serious? Somone stop these sick people.
Brook
March 3, 2011
Maria
March 3, 2011
Are you kidding me? And you wonder why the world is turning to sh*t! Satisfy violent urges? Satisfy? If kids have urges like this they dont need to satisfy them they need help!!! This does not say much for the person who made this game. PAWNSTICK YOU NEED HELP!!!!!!!!
Laurie
March 3, 2011
Whoever came up with this idea is an idiot.
Barb Smith
March 3, 2011
"The game's creator, who goes by the pseudonym Pawnstick, says he hopes the game will prevent school shootings by satisfying violent urges in its players" So...this implies that the game's creator seems to think he has a PhD in child psychology. Practicing w/o a license should get him or her jailed. And if they do hold a PhD - may the gods help us all.
Sara Telban
March 3, 2011
I am appauld that this has been approved to be produced and sold. As a clinical social worker I am incredibly afraid of the future as this game will only stimulate more violence in our world and school communities.
David Dawson
March 3, 2011

March 3, 2011
That this game exists is deeply disturbing and potentially dangerous. I agree that whoever came up with this idea is an idiot. The person is also very naive.
NJLady
March 3, 2011
Do Not Allow this game to go on the market. Kids are impressionable....and like to mimick. They will do this. So will unstable adults.

March 3, 2011
What kind of sick, twisted person profits from the violent death of another human being? Is the entertainment world that bad that you now have to reduce what ever morals you may have to the point where it doesn't matter who it may concern or hurt. I pray that every copy you produce has a problem and does not run properly. You gotta be a sick individual to even think of profiting on another person's tragedy. How do you sleep at night?
Bob
March 3, 2011
I LOL'D

March 3, 2011
This is only going to encourage more violence. Why would anyone approve something like this? I hope they are prepared to assume the liabilty when the lawyers goes after them after the next sad depressed kid goes off the rails and causes the next American tragedy!
Eileen
March 3, 2011
This is extremely upsetting and makes my heart ache! This is an example where when freedom of speech is used so irresponsibly that it should not only be outlawed, but punishable, especially when it is aimed at young people!!!
JT
March 3, 2011
This is appalling. This will not "satisfy" violent urges, rather it will implant violent acts as insignificant and without consequence in the brain of the player. What are they thinking? Obviously they were not and did not ask for any advice from experts in behavior.
Renee Kimberling
March 3, 2011
First things first: I'm disgusted by the idea behind this game. However one thing should be made clear in the article: They might call themselves checkerboard studios, while this may sound legit they are in no form a company. It's a loose band of people that use free tools to create a admittedly horrible game. Also this isn't an actual game, it's a modification of an existing game (that has nothing to do with school shootings), kind of like reusing parts from different movies to create a new movie with a completely different meaning. This "game" will neither be sold, nor advertised. There is absolutely no backing from the actual gaming industry behind this, nor from the creators of the actual game they are using to do this.
Mark P
March 3, 2011
How do reasonable people who work with kids and want to prevent violence of any kind, band together to stop this game from being sold?
Bsw
March 3, 2011
Hahahahahaha! Just so you all know, I'm laughing at you all. You all jump on the band wagon of hate just because you read an article written by people that don't have their facts correct. For one, the game is a Half-Life 2 Mod. That means that it's for the computer. Yet, just because it's something that people will recognize, or more likely because they don't know what they're writing about, they put up a picture of a Xbox controller.You say "he's disgusting, or he's a monster, or he needs help", but in the end we are all part of the problem. It's so funny to see people display anger and rage and so forth on things like this. So I'll just continue to laugh at the world. Hahahahaha!!!
Oroborous
March 3, 2011

March 4, 2011
This is absolutely horrible! The comment made below about it being a computer game, not an x-box game is not even relevant. The point is, it should not be made available to any individual of any age, particularly kids. We need to prosecute any individual or group that attempts to market this type of product. Enough is enough!!!!!
V Horn
March 4, 2011
Do these game makers have no conscience?
DeeBee
March 4, 2011
This enrages me! What has our society come to? Do your research before you even think that this will impact our society in a positive way. This literally makes me sick to my stomach!
Aleatha England
March 4, 2011
Pawnstick has been reading too much pop psychology if he thinks this will satisfy violent urges. That's just not the way the human brain works. This one of the most misbegotten concepts of all time.
dmess
March 4, 2011
A good game? I hardly think so. I can see it putting more ideas into the heads of kids who are already voilent. Whoever invented this game needs to be found!
Nikki
March 4, 2011
As a college administrator the thought of this game being sold and played makes me uneasy. I hope that a little more research can go into this before a drastic and deadly decision is made to exploit the terror of campus shootings.
Jeff
March 4, 2011
I do wonder, though, if different levels of resistance to the game's shooter character can be turned and off to reflect the presence of unarmed security, fully armed police, and/or students, staff, & faculty carrying lawfully permitted handguns? Could this be enlightening to discussions about the need to have or not have an armed police presence or citizens' abilities to lawfully carry firearms at certain locations, such as colleges & universities?
(Ret.)
March 4, 2011
This is absolutely horrifying, and insensitive! There are enough violent, first person shooter games out there. We do not need one where the objective is to shoot defenseless students, and then choose whether or not to commit suicide. Has anyone thought about how this will make the families of the victims and the offenders feel!!?? Role playing violent games isn't going to stop violence -- if anything, it will intensify the urge in many (not all) people. If you want to "get your frustrations out," go talk it out with a psychologist, write in a journal, go to the gym, etc. Really bad idea!! Let's hope the powers that be in the video game industry don't let this one through.

March 4, 2011
I don't understand where we, as a society, went wrong in providing violent entertainment for kids. Since when does shooting, killing, raping or drug dealing in video games become so enthralling! And it's not only kids, the adults who play this need to make better use of their free time and set better examples to the youth of the next generation. The world is insane enough already! But I do have to say that encouraging a game of school shootings is about the most bizarre, unstable, frightening thing I have heard in a while. Please stop these types of games in general from becoming part of our society. Let's find ways to bring back the goodness in people, especially our children.

March 4, 2011
Unbelievable! At times like this, I wonder about the freedoms our forefathers and soldiers have fought for. Did they do it in vain so idiots like those who created a game like this have the freedom to do so?
Jodi
March 4, 2011
I am a Campus Police Officer. I am extremely disturbed someone would come up with a game to satisfy violent urges, modeled on Virginia Tech and Columbine. Obviously this moron has not had a child killed by an active shooter or has had to go and pick up the pieces afterwards or even deal with the psycological trauma that these people went through. This is pure greed with no care in the world. This man needs to be put out of business and I am going to do my best to petition against this. My message to the creator, "I hope you do not ever have to deal with the death of a family member that has been killed in the way that your game promotes".
Vic
March 4, 2011
This is dangerous. And parents will willingly and unknowingly give their middle school-aged children money to buy this kind of garbage. How do protest the distribution of this insanity?
Kathy
March 4, 2011
There is no need to "satisfy violent urges" in young people. There is, however, a HUGE need to redirect them to non-violent urges.
Regina
March 5, 2011
are YOU KIDDING ME! what's wrong with our country? This!
karen
March 5, 2011
I'd buy this, play for hours. And I'll still be fine to go to school the next day. People are idiots.
Fletto
March 5, 2011
I'm glad someone's doing it. I hate the idea that everything has to be sacred, and the instant someone steps on that hallowed ground, they should be shot. America has this thing called 'Freedom of speech'. To violate that, and to disallow this game's release, is to violate the first amendment. Anyone has the right to say anything about anyone. Deal with it, or get out of America.
Nobody
March 6, 2011
I'm glad someone's doing it. I hate the idea that everything has to be sacred, and the instant someone steps on that hallowed ground, they should be shot. America has this thing called 'Freedom of speech'. To violate that, and to disallow this game's release, is to violate the first amendment. Anyone has the right to say anything about anyone. Deal with it, or get out of America.
Nobody
March 6, 2011
This kind of "entertainment" plays a major role in the minds of youth. The violence it portrays certainly downgrades it in their minds. There are studys showing the coralation between the violent games, Grand Theft Auto Etc. and the actual violence that takes place in our schools. If there is anything we can do to combat these games, I'm all ears. I would lobby for any legal action available.
Sgt. M Neville
March 7, 2011
It is nearly without any comprehension that I can belive that neither the inventor nor the publisher of this "game" has not realized that we all get getter at what we practice; that specifically those who practice violent thoughts, actions, any any kind of media input, are only more oriented to either be violent or to be tolerant of and inured to violence. Stop the Game!
Phil Yates
March 7, 2011
Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!! I still have to laugh at you humanity.
Oroborous
March 7, 2011
I recommend checking out the literary works of Lt. Col. Dave Grossman. The man is a legend on the subject of Killology, and co-authored the book "Stop Teaching Our Kids to Kill: A Call to Action Against TV, Movie and Video Game Violence." Obviously the sick authors this game need to do their research.
Matt
March 7, 2011
I recommend checking out the literary works of Lt. Col. Dave Grossman. The man is a legend on the subject of Killology, and co-authored the book "Stop Teaching Our Kids to Kill: A Call to Action Against TV, Movie and Video Game Violence." Obviously the sick authors this game need to do their research.
Matt
March 7, 2011
This is the most tasteless, obnoxious idea for a game, that I have ever heard. Campus, education, and state organizations should rise up against it.
Sharon
March 8, 2011
This is just going to cause students to actually want to play out the game in real life. It doesn't matter how many people have died already and how this game could affect their families but it's about making money. Greed over humanity!!! Disgusting!!!
Linda
March 8, 2011

March 8, 2011
There are a lot of ways to make money. Do we really need a campus killing arcade game that promotes death and destruction to our faculty ,staff and students! Concerned I Santa Fe, New Mexico

March 8, 2011
There are a lot of ways to make money. Do we really need a campus killing arcade game that promotes death and destruction to our faculty ,staff and students! Concerned I Santa Fe, New Mexico
Jerry
March 8, 2011
There are a lot of ways to make money. Do we really need a campus killing arcade game that promotes death and destruction to our faculty ,staff and students! Concerned I Santa Fe, New Mexico
Jerry
March 8, 2011
There are a lot of ways to make money. Do we really need a campus killing arcade game that promotes death and destruction to our faculty ,staff and students! Concerned I Santa Fe, New Mexico
Jerry
March 8, 2011
There are a lot of ways to make money. Do we really need a campus killing arcade game that promotes death and destruction to our faculty ,staff and students! Concerned I Santa Fe, New Mexico
Jerry
March 8, 2011
Really? Really? I'm appalled. This is ridiculous and unethical. I'm a gamer, not to mention a college student, and I loath this idea. Where is the petition to stop this? I'll gladly sign with out hesitation.
K
March 8, 2011
As a licensed psychologist, I am aware of a plethora of research which suggests this type of modeling only serves to generalize the behavior. This game is a step in the WRONG direction. Violence will perpetrate violence.
Dr. Richard Beyer
March 8, 2011
Are they totally nuts ? This game will only desensitize teenagers to this sort of violence and for some it will put ideas in their heads to care it out. Plus they obviously haven't looked at the teen suicide rate in this country. They don't need encourangement from a game for this type of behavior.
Cheryll
March 8, 2011
This is sick and depressing. Society is going down the drain. And we are surprised that the end of the world like in Revelations says is going to happen? Imagine if we came up with a twisted game that allowed you to hijack planes and commit terrorist attacks? I would pray the government would never allow that to happen and suprised they are allowing this to even become an ideal. Money & self are the only thing people seem care about these days.
llp
March 8, 2011
Ok - who do we send mass complaints to about this game so that it has NO CHANCE of ever hitting the market? I looked up Checkerboard Studios online but..can't find anything or place to lodge a complaint with. Are there other agencies that could assist in getting this game blocked?Suggestions?
Tracy Van Diepen
March 9, 2011
This is a reflection of the direction our society is going. Any company that would release a game that trivializes the horror of the Columbine and VA Tech events has their moral compass askew in preference to making a profit. I'm sure that if they release it there would be enough young impressionable students who would buy it for the company to make their profits. Parents need to be more proactive into what their children buy and the adults that run this company need to be ashamed of themselves!
Tim Leonard
March 10, 2011
Utterly disgusting.
Julia
March 10, 2011
What has happened to " good " games ? Why do all fun games have to be violent ? So as you sow, so shall you reap.........
e Frey
March 10, 2011
I don't know whom is worse, the 'sicko' that put this together, or the "sickos such as 'nobody' and "oroborous" (commentors below) that will most likely purchase the game.
Vickie
March 11, 2011
I say game on... This is no different than most games out there. What most people fail to realize is that society is sick and this game will do well. I would be willing to bet that most people would play it but never would admit to it.
Longhammer
March 15, 2011
Who would let this happen??? Any store that would carry this type of media should be boycotted for sure! AS if we didn't have enough issues in our schools with Grand Theft Auto? Let's just add to the problem!!
kathy
March 17, 2011
I dislike all violent video games but at least most of them are about defending yourself or property. This one, if modeled after actual incidents is a perpetrator preying on innocent, unarmed characters. It is immoral, unethical, and a disgrace to all educators and their students.
Erin
March 17, 2011
I can't believe someone would make such an awful game. This is just WRONG!

March 17, 2011
This is just so disrespectful to the families that had to endure those tragedies. I really don't know how someone could actually think this is a good idea, IT'S NOT. What has become of humanity? Kids don't need more violence in their lives, there's enough of that on the news.
Lori
March 17, 2011
While i agree that there is no reason to believe this game would do as the creator claims offering an out for children to vent their frustrations, I don't entirely lay the blame for the havoc this game could create with the creator. If parents were more active in their children's lives they might do something to prevent their children from getting their hands on this game. Its not a perfect world we live in, but it sure would be nice if EVERYONE responsible was held accountable.
Corey Johnson
March 18, 2011
That is as sick as it gets. Anything to make a buck. What I don't understand is why you would want to put anything into the heads of children like that? We already know that they obsess about video games and talk about them. They are impressionable! Enough is enough!

March 22, 2011
As a soon-to-be school psychologist I am beyond appauled and disgusted that a game of this nature would even make it to production. The social and emotional repercussions of having a "game" as morally reprehensible as this one marketed to young children as just that, a GAME, are numerous. Just as someone else mentioned, if children are having the urge to act out violent fantasies, they need psychological support, not an outlet that glorifies violence. I feel as if these types of games actually lessen the responsibility people feel/take for their actions because in the fantasy game world, there are no permanent consequences. I'm a far cry from saying that violent video games CAUSE kids to become violent themselves, but providing kids with the message that violence is okay in any capacity and to market it as sport/a game is disturbing and ethically irresponsible.
M.B.
March 23, 2011
As a soon-to-be school psychologist I am beyond appauled and disgusted that a game of this nature would even make it to production. The social and emotional repercussions of having a "game" as morally reprehensible as this one marketed to young children as just that, a GAME, are numerous. Just as someone else mentioned, if children are having the urge to act out violent fantasies, they need psychological support, not an outlet that glorifies violence. I feel as if these types of games actually lessen the responsibility people feel/take for their actions because in the fantasy game world, there are no permanent consequences. I'm a far cry from saying that violent video games CAUSE kids to become violent themselves, but providing kids with the message that violence is okay in any capacity and to market it as sport/a game is disturbing and ethically irresponsible.
M.B.
March 23, 2011
man this game makes me mad! how do you make a game based on real life events where someone died! won't somebody think of the children? now i will go back to playing my call of duty 3. p.s. this article is so poorly researched it is not even funny. 1) Checkerboard studios has 0 other games released. 2) it is clear that this is barely a studio at all. The website lists various positions of people that work on the "game" and it is clear they are all a joke. 3) This isn't even a new game, it is simply a mod for an existing game. 4) The only people who would have known about the mod before would have only been those that cared about new mods for said game, now you went and told more! so good job at advertising for this thing. 5) how is this inherently worse than a game about ww2, ww1, vietnam war, desert storm, revolutionary war, korean war, etc.? man you cant make money off of school shootings but you sure can let people replay the storming of beaches in normandy. no one cares about old people who might have lived through that!
michael
March 24, 2011
do i need to be the one? Can we please realize that video games do not, in any way, shape or form, cause tragedies? That’s just ridiculous. Anyone without psychological problems can depict what’s real from fake, and what’s right from wrong. The people that have psychological problems will shoot up the school whether they play this or not. I do say this game supports horrible morals, and is very inhumane, but with that said, I would still buy and play this game, because I can shoot graphic images and not feel bad, because they arent real humans and i relize this. calm down, its not real people.
Turd Fergusson
April 14, 2011
Fail. You all think that this game is being sold? It's a free mod for a computer game, Half Life 2. Most kids don't even have this game, play PC games, or even know how to install it! Besides, if you don't want your kid playing it, don't let them! You're all over reactive idiots. In a way it's sick, but you're all probably dumba** parents. Remember, this is all coming from a kid. We have a voice too.
Nick
April 17, 2011
what is wrong with america to allow this sort of nonsense to happen. what is next? a game where you can pilot airplanes into buildings? wake up america we need to get back to the principals that we used to stand for.
dan sherry
May 18, 2011
This idea for a game is pure genius! All the people who say its horrible are a bunch of uptight parents who blame everything on videogames. Videogames dont cause violence, violence causes videogames. I cant wait for this to be released!
Robert
May 26, 2011
This game will be a very useful training tool. Reb Vodka and Cho prepare to have your highscores beat! Ich bin gott!
EricDylanCho
May 26, 2011
A game where u can becom AN HERO?!?!?!!!!111one1!!111eleven finally!!!!!111one1!!111
Lololo im a trolololo
May 26, 2011
Cant wait for this game. Totally gonna buy it
Steve Jobs
June 6, 2011
Instead of satisfying urges and relieving frustration of the player, it will only serve to encourage and educate them on how to plan and execute their musings more efficiently. Free speech protection steps over the line when it threatens the safety of the most innocent and vulnerable...we better speak up...because if we do not..we own this.
Patty
July 27, 2011

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