Should you take "Torture" seriously?

The author of the article on MSNBC goes into how government sanctioned torture is sick. Of course it is sick, but nobody is asking you to do it. There are such things as necessary evils and there are men and women all over the world who step up to the plate to do what is required of them in order to get the answers they need to maintain some form of order. For all of you 24 watchers out there, although highly dramatized, when Jack Bauer is tortureing some weasley executive to get answers that he needs in order to stave off a nuclear attack, do you root for him or do you vehemently scold him from the comfort of your living room. I do agree that torture cannot be a regular practice, but if it is deemed necessary based on the situation, like rooting out terrorist cells operating down the street out of a bodega, torture on brother, because i dont want my neighborhood to turn into little Baghdad. Of course there are extremes, like taking your picture with detainees with a big @!$%#-eating grin on your face, or keeping your daughter in your basement for 25 years and fathering several children with her. And letting these Gitmo detainees have their day in court, what a joke.

The author of the article on MSNBC goes into how government sanctioned torture is sick. Of course it is sick, but nobody is asking you to do it. There are such things as necessary evils and there are men and women all over the world who step up to the plate to do what is required of them in order to get the answers they need to maintain some form of order. For all of you 24 watchers out there, although highly dramatized, when Jack Bauer is tortureing some weasley executive to get answers that he needs in order to stave off a nuclear attack, do you root for him or do you vehemently scold him from the comfort of your living room. I do agree that torture cannot be a regular practice, but if it is deemed necessary based on the situation, like rooting out terrorist cells operating down the street out of a bodega, torture on brother, because i dont want my neighborhood to turn into little Baghdad. Of course there are extremes, like taking your picture with detainees with a big @!$%#-eating grin on your face, or keeping your daughter in your basement for 25 years and fathering several children with her. And letting these Gitmo detainees have their day in court, what a joke.

The most appalling thing about this game, is that the tortured play person doesn't cry out in agony, scream for pity or act like a normal human being.
This is what is demeaning about the game. If one is to have a game about torture, go all the way, show the pain and agony.
This game lets people torture a DOLL like it is a human being without consequences.
Let us make games that reflect respect for life, from conception to death.

Although we as a country do not practice this kind of torture, almost all of our enemies do. including some of our recent friends IE (Japan, and Germany). The Brits did some of this up until the last century. So like it or not, Torture is a reality of life in this world. Even today some citizens do this in private to loved ones and perceived enemies. So like it or not, torture is a reality of life on this planet.

This is absolutely sick. In a world where monster-minds are looking for new avenues to carry out their twisted agendas, this simply gives them more ideas. Additionally, this desensitizes young minds and is no different than some of the kill games out there (Mortal combat, carmageddon) where it's o.k. to mame and kill. In the latter, you are simply running over innocent people. What a world we live in. What ever happened to our idealism, morals, values? Cops and robbers was as nasty as it got when I was growing up. O.k. a good game of dodgeball, too. However, what ever happened to our ability to slow down and appreciate things around us? What happened to our tolerance of others and their imperfections? There will always be a small percentage of us that don't play well with others. Our lives have never been and will never be "perfect". We know that society will never be perfect, but if we do not learn by past mistakes and move forward into a more evolved culture, we will self-destruct. Where has the sense of humility gone? The sense of a higher power? It's what keeps us all in check, keeps us humble and helps us to extend kindness to others, while forgiving the human condition. I cannot grasp this unevolved, barbarian concept that it's o.k. to play violent games to let our own aggressions out. This is the wrong direction folks. Trust me, my family was plagued with the ultimate violent act, so I'm not wearing rose-colored glasses here. Just telling it like it is.

My only question is this: Would people be as offended if the "doll" was less realistic? Suppose it was made with early 90's graphics, but allowed for the same level of brutality? Or suppose you were torturing some grotesque alien monster? Point being, is it the act of virtual torture that has people up in arms or their own sense of "life" being projected onto the games subject?

Personally I think that with no context or true sense of purpose, this cannot really be called a game, but rather a torture simulation, and in my opinion, does not need to exist.

Haha! It's not torture, it's getting "accurate" information from suspected terrorists! That's all we're trying to do! Oh, and the US doesn't do it but most other countries do?? WTF!? Where'd you hear that? We most certainly do torture. We're doing it now on bases all over the world! Please get off your high horse and start thinking for yourself.

The coming years will be very interesting for our civilization if this the kind of thing people will be doing in their spare time.

My 12 year old son may someday be introduced to this insensitive game. I want him to think of good, excellent, praise-worthy, honest, good intentions, noble ideas. And this simulation, this practice pad of torture encourages the opposite of these ideals. I'm not criticizing the kids who think it is meaninigless... I have a question, are we're not living in a vacuum? The game-creator has not lived long enough to have the wisdom to make such a statement as, 'let people make what they want from it'. That's dangerous isn't it? It's irresponsible isn't it? This 19year old, someone that I may not want my son to 'admire' will be admired by him and his friends if I let it happen. If I allow my son to play this 'simulation', I will be responsible for teaching him that thinking of ways to torture is entertaining. He needs to know that he should not 'play' with these dangerous ideas. He needs to know that there are bad, immoral ideas that should not even be entertained nor imagined. History says the Romans entertained themselves by torturing people with lions and gladiators. In 2008, here in my home, on my computer, I can 'tune-in' to these same ideals compliments of the internet and this practice pad. This simulation should be banned. But, I will be the one criticized because I'm fighting for good. These people will push and push until our kids think that bad is good and good is bad.

I think the only thing sicker than this game is how the the author had to relate the game to our Government. Quit taking your Liberal view points and shoving them down our throats. I read your article because I was interested about the game, I am not a gamer by any means but I am an American and a very proud one at that. Please quit relating a game like this to our Government's use of Waterboarding which is a far cry from the devices used in this game. It seems to me that everywhere I turn to read, even if its an article on fishing, that somebody has something to say about or Country. Please keep your political views to yourself as your readers dont want to see it.

That. Was. AWESOME. I liked it so much, I sent links to my kids! (They're adults, so spare me the righteous indignation)

Reminds me of some of the games I've built. But instead of tormenting a ragdoll, celebrities were subjected to hilarious physical and sexual abuse. In fact, I collaborated with the creator of the site hosting "Torture 2" on a series of games and cartoons called "Celebrity Abortion".

Lighten up, Francis. Nobody gets hurt. It's not even as dangerous as throwing darts at a dartboard with an enemy's picture taped to it.

I agree that this is a little much even in the way of violent video games. I have not and will not be checking this out but I just want to ask one thing.

How is this any different from uber-violent movies like Hostel and its sequel? I know there are other super violent movies that have been made recently but the names escape me. I try not to watch stuff like that, a little too gratuitous for my fancy.

I guess what I'm trying to say that just because this is a game doesn't mean it should be scrutinized as being overly violent when other forms of media are celebrated.

If it were an animal instead of a human this "game" would have been jerked off the net in an instant.
It it amazing what we humans can do to each other. If only we could see each other with the compassion we have for our pets. Next time you gamers go into a torture game picture your beloved Spot or Fido as the torture victim. Don't let the screen saver hit you on the way out!

Do we have the right of free expression or not? And if we don't, who has the right to tell us that we don't? The right is ours simply by claiming it. The right is no longer ours when we are no longer willing to to fight (and possibly die) to defend it. It's that simple.

"Please quit relating a game like this to our Government's use of Waterboarding which is a far cry from the devices used in this game." -- Cory-347160

Absolutely. No one, not a single living organism or cell, are harmed by this game. But real people do suffer from waterboarding.

You need to review your moral views if you condone the torturing of real people but object virtual violence like this. Or maybe you were being sarcastic then I apologize for not getting the sarcasm.

Who cares really? We find a torture doll unacceptable, but other violent games just fine? Its no worst than GTA or Manhunt.

If the government is legally allowed to torture someone in actual life whats so wrong about a simple little fantasy game like this? That's how stupid most citizens are today, they would rather waste their time blasting games that have fake blood, murder and death than take a good look around them and see it before their very eyes in real life. Ingrates.

I think that some games go to far. Just because some people have the "creative" genus to invent stuff like this doesn't mean they need to put it on the market for others to play. My husband plays computer games a few being FEAR, Crysis, Call of Duty, and others. I see no problem in playing games were you shot and kill people, but torturing people goes to far. Just because it is done in real life doesn't mean it is right to play for "fun". I can't read about the Holocaust or other thinks like that because it just makes me sick! There is something disturbing about humans slowly hurting and killing other humans. Its just sick!!

I think that some games go to far. Just because some people have the "creative" genus to invent stuff like this doesn't mean they need to put it on the market for others to play. My husband plays computer games a few being FEAR, Crysis, Call of Duty, and others. I see no problem in playing games were you shot and kill people, but torturing people goes to far. Just because it is done in real life doesn't mean it is right to play for "fun". I can't read about the Holocaust or other thinks like that because it just makes me sick! There is something disturbing about humans slowly hurting and killing other humans. Its just sick!!

Hello???!!!! Can you say serial murderer's? Ted Bundy, BTK- Dennis Radar, Son-of-Sam- David Berkowitz, Charles Manson, Jeffery Dahmer, need I say more??? I think not. This so-called game is horrible!!! I believe the young man who invented this game needs to have a psychiatric evaluation-NOW! I can see how some people think this isn't real, but how many others will think that? And I'm not just talking about kids either, teenager's, and adults.
People are tortured every day, somewhere on this planet, and sometimes they die, sometimes they are maimed- for the rest of their life! I'd like to know where this young man's parent's are? Did or do they know what type of "games" he's been inventing? Probably not, but if they do know, then they need to have a psychiatric evaluation done on them. Protect your children! Some people will argue that "Hangman" isn't a good game, it's a WORD game and it's a figure of a STICK person-which everybody knows isn't REAL!!!

I have been an active game player ever since the Commodore 64, and have played the most hardcore games on the market. I tried this "Torture Game 2", having shot the poor victim in the head before pulling out the chainsaw. I was board after trying all the devices available, and yes sent the link to some friends who would get a laugh.

The fact that we can look at the program and laugh at the activities sets us apart from the serial killers of the world. We see the game for what it is, a game that is pointless, but funny in yes a weird sick sort of way.

I'm not running out to the store to by rope for the basement having played the game.

The human race is curious about everything: Nature, medicine, space, and we do like to get into a persons head by reading their biographies.

Having said that, I'm not going to become a serial killer just because I read about what one did to their victims in a book a read or because I went to the movies to see another installment of "SAW".

Since time began, sick people where out their killing other people long before computers, or television shows. The increase in violence today is a direct result of population growth. There will always be a percentage of the general population that is, well, sick in the head.

If people wanted to help the situation, start by support the medical industries who are working to unlock the secrets of the human minds and discover what causes a person to become a serial killer. That is where time needs to be spent, not lobbing for control of video game or television content.

In case you're wondering, I'm highly successful in my career, drive a large SUV, have a wonderful and loving relationship with my wife and her son, and working on have a kid of our own. I also was a kid that ate the paint chips from the window ledge and rode my bike with no safety helmet. All and all I think I turned out alright.

I think we should outlaw games like this.. It shows our children that it is ok to hurt others. It shows that deep down individuals like to hurt others and enjoys it. The individual, who written that medical industries who work on the causes of a serial killer, does not know much about medical health and individual environment and have it causes individual to become serial killers or hurt others. I do not think this individual is alright or he would not have written the response he did. As I was saying, all games like this should be outlaw and should not be marketed. We have too much hurt of each other in our culture now. We need to stop and think how it is effecting our society as a whole.

Our biggest hang up as a society is that we confuse fantasy with reality.
Worse yet, we are even more stringent on sexual subject matter than mayhem.
If our legal minds get any more paranoid, everyone will be in prison for "artistic fantasy offenses."

I'll risk saying it: these are the types of games that truly elevate the medium.

Those outside the gaming culture may not realize it, but games as a whole are taking a cultural shift right now, fighting between being "art" and "entertainment." Outside the game sphere, people disagree on whether they should (or can) be art, and even inside games some fans want it to stay strictly popcorn entertainment. This is a pretty big issue, possibly too big and overtalked in our community.

Now without going into the "games = art?" debate itself, I think it's only right to point out that some of the greatest art in the world is daring and tests boundaries. This is offending people because it's a "game," and we see games as "fun." Torture isn't meant to be fun. But what if games don't really start and stop with being enjoyable? What if it's an opportunity to put you into an interactive situation that lets you see things in a different way? If "games" are a gateway to new experiences, rather than just fun diversions, then some of those experiences will be horrific.

I doubt the maker(s) of this game are glorifying torture, or even being flippant about it. Instead, they're offering a look at it that forces the player to be introspective about their actions. That makes people uncomfortable. But as the author points out, you can stop at simply painting the victim. If you're horrified with seeing limbs hacked, keep in mind that it's you doing the hacking.

Advertisers have known for years that the brain damage youth are easily led. Ask thew people of Columbine, for example. "oh our youth aren't responsibile, because it was the media, or movies, or games that influence their sponge like brains. But then the makers of such garbage say, "Oh, it is harmless, Our youth today have better sense." I say garbage in equals garbage out."