In this golden age for gaming it's sad to see something like this come along. JFKReloaded is a downloadable "docu-game" that challenges players to, "help disprove any conspiracy theory by recreating the three shots that Lee Harvey Oswald made from the infamous sixth floor of the Dallas book depository." Yes, that's right, the "game" challenges you to take pot-shots at the passing JFK. Tastelessness aside, this is bad news for the reputation of gaming as a whole. What do you reckon will get coverage in the Daily Mail et al? The majesty of Half Life 2 or the fact that a new "game" allows you to shoot out the brains of JFK.
And get this. Apparently the "game" has educational benefits. "This new form of interactive entertainment brings history to life and will stimulate a younger generation of players to take an interest in this fascinating episode of American history," says Kirk Ewing, managing director of developers Traffic. "We've created the game in the belief that Oswald was the only person that fired the shots on that day, although this recreation proves how immensely difficult his task was" he continues, no doubt trying desperately to stop smirking.
PR nonsense aside, what do you think? Tasteless rubbish or historical learning aid? Or, in fact, not even worth commenting on...
