Teabaggers, Bioshock: Infinite, and You- A Blatantly Political Game We Will Relate To (Images, lol)

[Occulus]

Yes, that's a Native American there on the right.











Sound familiar? It should. The opening shot of the gameplay video for Bioshock: Infinite (I hope they change that title), for all that it is set in the early 20th century, aims directly at the blatant jingoism of today's Teabaggers. With that in mind, I thought we might want to have a more open discussion regarding what might be a direct and popular swipe at the political climate in the US as we see it in the second decade of the 21st century.

Bioshock: Infinite is tentatively set for release in 2012.

Of particular interest to me is the historical revisionism going on here, both in the game (where it's totally intentional to a specific purpose) and in real life (uh, where it's, um, totally... inten... okay I'll stop). Just look at that wonderful propagandisticiful imagery! It's straight out of a Teabagger's idealized world.

Keep in mind that this is being released (a summer release, before the election?) as the third installment of a fairly popular franchise. Millions of people are familiar with the name "Bioshock"; this is no unknown indie title we're talking about here. I do believe that this is the first time a video game has openly and without apology co-opted the imagery of the Right as it exists today and capitalized upon it so strongly. I also believe this particular game, for all of its violence and over-the-top set pieces, has the potential to provoke a sea change in some small way, if simply by pointing out an extreme.

Discuss.

[JHB]

1. Aside from the steampunk fantasy elements, is it really as off as you think?

The early 20th Century was a heyday for white supremacism, "nativism" (and they didn't mean indians), jingoism, "muscular" nationalism, and anti-immigrant agitation.

[Occulus]

2. Ah, but whether it's "off" or not for the period isn't my point.

Looking back, I can't disagree.

My point is how the visual elements being presented here relate to the current political climate.

It's as if the developers took a snapshot of the Beck rally and said "run with this". Granted, it's obviously been in development for much longer than that, but the topical nature of the content shown almost eerily parallels what's going on today.

It's intentional, I think.

[JHB]

4. Oh, no doubt. Thus the prominence of its display. n/t

[Occulus]

5. Did you watch the video? It's *thick* with it

It's interesting that they would choose this particular topic at this time, though. Especially given recent events.

[adamuu]

3. +1

well put