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Suicide game sparks latest Flash controversy
Nov 18th 2008 at 11:19 by Ben Parfitt
Online casual gaming is once again in the spotlight this week with UK newspapers expressing outrage at online title Billy Suicide which, as the name suggests, sees players attempt to prevent the game’s protagonist ending his life.
The storm follows hot on the heels of recent controversial titles such as Kaboom: The Suicide Bombing Game and Little Hooliganz.
Billy Suicide is a dark Flash game where users must aid their character through his daily routine. If they fail in keeping Billy’s mental health at an acceptable level, he takes his own life, resulting in game over.
Critics have slammed the title, which arrived around the same time as the news emerged of the suicide of 25 year old Lisa Dalton, who became the 24th resident of Welsh town Bridgend to end their life.
The Daily Telegraph quotes a Samaritans spokesperson as stating: “Certain types of suicide portrayal can act as a catalyst to influence the behaviour of people who are already vulnerable, particularly young people, and result in an overall increase in suicide and/or an increase in uses of particular methods.
“Our vision is that fewer people die by suicide and anyone who in any way initiates that they are experiencing a high level of emotional distress or suicidal feelings should be taken seriously and given vital support.”
NinjaWilliams
Nov 18th 2008 | 13:09
This is silly, there is no proof that the game caused it or even added fuel to somenes decision to die in the first place.
Rob
Nov 18th 2008 | 16:50
Of course not, it's just the media being a bunch of p*ssies again...
Anon
Nov 19th 2008 | 13:47
I am against the thought of video games being the main cause of violence (quite frankly thats an excuse in my opinion), but most depressed people are not suicidal until the idea occurs to them. A game like this would undoubtedly give them the idea. This is not the cause of any suicide, but those that play it, and other similar games, get the idea to do it if they are depressed, and even how to do it.
James
Nov 19th 2008 | 23:10
If someone kills themself after playing a flash game, then there was probably little hope for them in the first place.
Besides. The idea is to keep him from killing himself. Isn't that the right message?
Jonathan
Apr 30th 2009 | 12:23
like many of you said, this is the media being pathetic, the only way i belives games can have any impact of anyones mind is if they are very young and there for easliy influened by games such as GTA.
if a game is the finel tipping point for someone then other major factors would have contributed to a poor mentle state of mind e.g. family, school or have a form of illness.
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