Ludicidal Tendencies

Danny Ledonne, creator of Super Columbine Massacre RPG, sent out a press release this evening saying that his game was selected by the Slamdance 2007 Film Festival jury to receive a Special Jury Prize for the game, however the prize was prevented from being given by Slamdance Director Peter Baxter.

The award was to be given to Ledonne in the documentary category of the film festival (note that is different than the game contest) for the manner in which the game meticulously portrays the killers responsible for the shooting at Columbine High School in 1999. However, according to Ledonne's press release, Baxter stopped the presentation of this award before it could be given, citing music clearance issues with the game. This has been one of several reasons the festival director has used over the past few weeks to defend his decision to censor the game from the festival.

As far as I know, this is the first time a Slamdance FILM festival jury has ever attempted to give an award to a game. It would have been an incredible precedent for the game design community. It also would have been an extremely interesting moment in the development "documentary games," an emerging genre of game that attempts to place the player in a specific historical moment, with some agency within that scenario. It is particularly exciting to think that a jury of filmmakers would take it upon themselves to attempt to honor a game in this way.

However, the award was not given. And, as I understand it, no awards at all were given out at the game festival, since the few remaining finalists felt there was little value to the competition. And truly, what value could there be, when it appears that the festival will make every effort it can to draw a hard and fast line between game makers and the respected artists in other media, such as film?

I'm astounded at this attitude, but it is basically the attitude of one venue, and I am heartened to see alternative festivals such as Indiecade speaking out in support of creative freedom and the possibilities of interactive media.