Hitman: Absolution changed after backlash
Hitman developer IO Interactive has altered the new game following community backlash.
Talk at GamesCom 2012 in Cologne, Germany, IO told Eurogamer that it had taken on board feedback following a trailer which featured PVC-clad nun-assassins. If you've still not seen the trailer, you can check it below.
Square Enix would not be drawn in to specifics about what had been altered, but said that it acknowledged more context and explanation needed to be given to the Saints - that is, the team of nuns.
“We learned from the trailer that we really needed to give these characters some context and some backstory," said Hitman: Absolution director Tore Blystad.
"We’re working within the game – within that level – to build these characters up before you meet them. That way you know what you’re getting and you aren’t put off by them.”
What's especially interesting though is how the trailer managed to reach release without IO realising the possible fallout.
“We were surprised by the reaction to it,” said Blystad. “We’ve been trying to find out, y’know, how could we not see this happening? If we knew it would get such a negative reaction we would have done it in a different way.
Check out the trailer below, let us know your thoughts in the forums and check the GamesCom 2012 page for more of the latest news from the show.
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Discuss in the forums Replywww.youtube.com/watch?v=kD-fPb87mVA
The "backlash" was most likley from those sad little people that have nothing better to do than to write to places like BBC to make complaints about the smallest things. Obviously the majority of people realise that nuns do not go round hiding assault rifles under their clothes bumping off people for the church.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-08-15-lost-humanity-8-days-of-nothing
I'm not sure how they adding context to the game would have helped the trailer's reception, though.
It's the "oh my god there's something i find really offensive in a game i've never and will never play" reaction. There's a very simple solution, don't play it and don't watch trailers for it.
Anyway, what worries me more is that the trailer shows 47 confronting them out in the open, I don't want it to become just another run and gun shooter...
I very much doubt the backlash was about context to be honest...
Edit: except in Russia
I have stopped playing games a long time ago (either because every year is more of the same, or because i just got bored of it i really dont know. I do try to go back to it every year but i never play them for longer that a couple of days).
Maybe i am part of the ignorant group that the journalist in the article above mentions, but i really don't see what is the big deal, in the big picture of things that we have surrounding our lifes. Sexism is constant on our everyday life's, i dont hear anyone moaning about Keith Lemon and his stupid sexist jokes (and he seems to get more and more audience), or lynx with their constant use of sexism in their commercials (coz i dont think anyone carries on like they have alzheimer or spasms i their bottom part of their just because they sweat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9d46SKvJTg), not to mention all the other perfumes (which like to show ladies with eating problems half naked), or bloody confused.com with their bikinis in their cartoons, or the big lady shoving coins between her breasts, or even all the manga cartoons, with the characters with massive breast and skimpy outfits and the list goes on and on.
With the constant sexism involved on most aspects of everything to do with media, it makes me wonder if users and journalists should be concerned with a game having some nuns on leather outfits or with the fact that games become more realistic by the year, ( showing new ways to kill how the weapons interact with human bodies with excellent physics simulation on what places of the body actually kill on a first blow, etc.).
So I wonder if having big tits leather tight outfits on nuns is really the problem here, if there is some people with far too much time on their hands, or maybe if we have to moan about this maybe we should moan loud enough about everything else that is sexist in the media and games industry...
I'm now looking forward to the game; that trailer is hilarious. People seriously need to chill, and why do they always direct their vitriol towards games when there's so much else they could be going on about...to paraphrase Carmine Falcone: 'People always fear what they don't understand'
Your recent posts have been worrying, Kenco.
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This. Same as Rockstar with GTA, Manhunt, etc or ignoring gaming completely, Marilyn Manson and "insert music video here" or even going back to Alice Cooper with his live shows. Controversy gives a huge amount publicity, why spend millions on advertising when you can let the journos and the public do it for free. i remember when gta:sa was released (i was still at school) Everyone HAD to have it, true it was an awesome game but the sh*t storm the media kicked up turned it into a status symbol.
There are a lot far, far more offensive things on the market. This game has the intention to shock, whoever is interested enough to view the trailer should know better, and those who aren't interested shouldn't watch it.
It's as simple as that. Busybodies ruin society, stop moaning about things that are of no concern to you! >: |
IMO the trailer was enticing as a hitman fan and hilarious as a mature adult who dabbles in murderous assasin fantasy on and off..
Get off the moral high-horse and ****ing enjoy the lighter side of life ffs..
Basically.
If the naysayers have that much of a problem with it, get involved and make a change. If you don't then a kitten might die.
Great trailer, great piece of advertising. Grabs your attention and holds it while saying precisely zip about mechanics or story. Except that there's nuns.