Cooking Mama, The Unauthorized PETA Edition: Mama Kills Animals | PETA.org
(Visited 20410 times) Game talk
Nov 262008
Cooking Mama, The Unauthorized PETA Edition: Mama Kills Animals | PETA.org.
Given my kids’ reaction to it (glee), I am not sure that it will actually accomplish its purpose, but it is interesting to see games used as advocacy this way.
Although, once you get to the point that the eggs are bleeding, maybe it’s more accurate to call it propaganda.
Play it:
Play the full size version on PETA.org.
23 Responses to “Cooking Mama, The Unauthorized PETA Edition: Mama Kills Animals | PETA.org”
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Yeah, I always thought the WKRP option was better, where turkeys are thrown from a helicopter to hit the ground like wet sacks of cement.
I grew up in Barrow, Alaska. One year, they actually did decide to release the official Turkey by throwing him from a helicopter. The folks in charge had lived there their entire lives and didn’t know turkeys couldn’t fly.
To be fair, it seems like it would’ve been obvious that the turkey couldn’t survive the temperature anyway, but the government of small villages on the North Slope of Alaska tend to make other Alaskan politicians look pretty bright.
*sigh* I have to reinstall the Flash “mute” addon.
Anyway, that’s funny that you posted this while I was reading Majesco’s press release.
I feel so sorry for PETA.
I love that the eggs bleed red blood when you crack them.
I think I disagree that this is ‘games as advocacy’, as there isn’t anything fun about the individual actions involved. I’d call this an interactive satire, and may I also add, not as good as the McDonald’s Game.
Bret:
Having not played the original Cooking Mama games, could you explain how this differs, if you feel that it does? I would be interested to learn!
As someone who has looked at serious games, I would argue that the ‘fun’ you refer to (*) is not essential for the definition of ‘game’. Indeed, were the advocacy the game intends requires it, the game should in fact be the complete opposite of this ‘fun’. In the case of viral marketing, however, that isn’t such a good idea, of course 😛
(*) I really need to save a link to the eight types of fun list
Seriously? Until I got to the end, I actually thought this was somebody’s stab at PETA–a joke. Its pretty sad when an organization like PETA satirizes themselves unintentionally.
I think you missed the part where Raph pointed out his kids were gleeful at their… actions. 😛
Michael Chui:
I played Halo with those two. Not only did they make me feel like they were letting me win, but… I think they enjoyed blowing themselves up most. *grin*
lol @ bleeding eggs. Because eating eggs murder. Yeah. Now then, let’s all get back to that pro-choice rally down the street.
Bob Evans never actually cracked an egg in his life. He was, like, the ring leader.
Ya know, I think I’d still rather have the bloody turkey with veins leakin’ out of its neck than tofu.
🙂
It’s not the sanctity of the egg that’s in question, it’s the treatment of the hens that amounts to torture.
I didn’t find anything about the game compelling enough to do more than poke at it. The undercover footage of brutal, filthy and illegal conditions inside “factory farms” and processing plants is much more compelling. Upton Sinclair is spinning in his grave.
I played it all the way to the end. I actually appreciated the final bonus round, where you get to make a tofu turkey. Maybe I’ll try to make one next Thanksgiving. Do they make big stainless steel turkey molds? This holiday I made a fifteen pound bird and then found out my mother had gone full vegan. I just finished off the damn thing yesterday.
Eh, for PETA it’s not really about animals, it’s about the publicity stunt. In an MMO these people would all be labeled as griefers. It’s like they found a way to break the rules inside of the rules, and now they want to live in that happy spot. “Wait, I can splash red die on people, ruining hundreds of dollars of clothing, and people will think it’s a noble thing if I shout “Fur Is Murder” when I do it? Where do I sign?“
Rik, do you know anybody who would let themselves be arrested and prosecuted in exchange for quick giggle? You’ve got it exactly backwards; the stunts are just a way to put a spotlight on the issues, since the media is not exactly proactive about discussing the ethical dimension of animal abuse. Griefers are griefers because they know they can indulge their behavior without consequence. Activists are activists because they’re willing to accept those consequences (up to and including jail time, beatings, and abuse) in order to make a statement.
Of course, I don’t support ruining hundreds of dollars of clothing to make a statement. If that’s the case, you’re aiming too low. Pick a target on whom you can ruin THOUSANDS of dollars of clothing.
I think the game is a failure as a game. But as a tool to raise awareness and provoke discussion of the issues? Well, here we are talking about it. Score one for PETA.
PETA: the MMO.
I can’t wait.
If you play through the ‘game,’ Yukon Sam, you will get to a part where you need to crack open eggs (presumably to create a rub to put on the turkey), and when you do, the eggs bleed red blood. PETA is against any and all ‘use’ of animals (they essentially promote a vegans+ agenda), and their message is not limited to just avoiding mistreatment and abuse of animals.
I’m going to throw up my hands before I get too firmly cast as the resident PETA apologist. I’m wearing a leather belt and shoes, I’m likely having beef for dinner, and I currently have enslaved four cats and two dogs for my personal amusement.
I sympathize with PETA to the extent that they strive for more humane treatment of animals. While I have an admiration for people who try to live up to their convictions, I don’t embrace their entire philosophy or condone any illegal action (except in the particular case of civil disobedience, given that the participants understand and agree to accept ALL the consequences of their actions, including compensation for anybody caught in the crossfire).
But I do believe that this game succeeds in its goal, which isn’t entertainment, education or even propoganda. It garners coverage (hence this blog entry). It sparks discussion and debate. It provokes thought.
And we’re the proof.
Yes, Sam. This game definitely succeeds at getting us to discuss PETA. I still have no idea what the actual issues they’re trying to get at are. 😛
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