RWS Respond To Synagogue Attack News

Last week's unprovoked attack on a Russian synagogue by Alexander Koptsev blamed by Jewish leaders as the result of growing anti-Semitism throughout the region drew some concerns over the use of videogames, with the allegation that Koptsev was playing Running With Scissors Postal 2 before storming in and stabbing at least eight people.

In a quite frankly unbelievable leap of logic certain members of the Russian press linked the attack inextricably to the use of videogames, amidst claims of "The man was programmed to demolish and kill..." and "A person who suffers from the videogame epilepsy syndrome can easily grab a kitchen knife, leave the virtual world and look for victims in reality."

Responding to the claims and those of everybody's favourite critic Jack Thompson, Running With Scissors CEO Vince Desi today issued the following statement:

"In this case, the hypocrisy and irresponsible anti-game zealotry has never been more obvious. Mr. Thompson ignores the fact that the assailant was enthralled by a racist book that espouses anti-Semitic hatred.

"Throughout our company's history, we've diligently avoided behavior that might be seen as exploiting a real life tragedy. We extend our sincere sympathies to the victims and their families. Despite our renegade image, we have ALWAYS maintained that violence belongs in videogames, NOT on the streets. Real life violence is reprehensible and unacceptable. We wish no ill upon anyone, not even Mr. Thompson, despite his despicable, self-serving campaign to spread misinformation and hateful invective about Running With Scissors and POSTAL, in particular and the entire videogame industry in general.

"Running With Scissors believes that videogames serve as an outlet for aggressive tendencies, not as their instigator. POSTAL is a social parody in the form of a videogame. If games turned players into murderers we'd be up to our necks in corpses. The independent POSTAL franchise has been a convenient scapegoat for misinformation and outright fabrications by "journalists" and politicians throughout its history.

"Unlike other violent videogames on the market, POSTAL makes no attempt to defend or justify violence committed by the player. Points aren't awarded for shooting someone in the face. There are no missions based on slaughtering innocent bystanders. You play in a detailed environment and are given simple tasks such as buying milk and cashing a paycheck. As in the real world, the player may find weapons in that environment if they seek them. And, just as in the real world, the choice of what to do with those weapons is yours. Misuse results in severe consequences, in POSTAL you're always held accountable. In our opinion that makes POSTAL 2 the most politically correct game ever made."

Now we don't exactly condone Postal 2 here at TVG, it had some good ideas but was ultimately let down by some serious design flaws. Despite its inadequacies and frustrations we've never however felt the urge to grab a kitchen knife and go postal, whilst the fact remains that players can play Postal 2 peacefully in the large if they so wish.

Anti-Semitic books on the other hand, now that's an entirely different matter...