Episode 177: Difficult Questions

Waypoint Radio

VICE

Leisure, Video Game Development, Television, Rewatch, Replay, Tv & Film, Video Games, Games, Movies, Video Game Culture

4.6 • 2.1K Ratings

🗓️ 10 August 2018

⏱️ 57 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Content warning for discussion of abuse.

In this transmission from Waypoint Radio, Natalie, Rob, Patrick, and Danielle discuss depictions of abuse in video games: starting with the recent Captain Spirit. They discuss the problems with "redemption arcs" in popular fiction and two major examples in The Witcher series, as well as pop culture characters and real-life figures who contended with abuse in their lives.

Discussed: The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit, The Witcher 3, The Witcher series, The Return of the Jedi, The Last Jedi, Lolita.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Please note that this episode of Waypoint Radio contains a content warning to discussion
0:22.9	and abuse.
0:25.1	Captain Spirit doesn't open with an abusive father screaming and hitting his son.
0:29.1	Instead, the game depicts Chris's father or someone who cares deeply about his kid,
0:32.8	taking a genuine interest in his thoughts, observations, and superhero antics.
0:37.0	But soon, he pours a beer for breakfast.
0:39.4	Then, he asks if anyone noticed the marks on his arm.
0:42.7	He eventually passes out.
0:44.8	Video games have always depicted all manner of violence, but is traditionally grotesque and over
0:49.1	the top, issuing nuance in favor of fetishized aesthetic hyperbole.
0:53.3	Though the life at Strangestrires is known for melodrama, it's started by telling stories
0:57.2	about teenagers dealing with unexpected sci-fi powers.
1:00.6	It works because it felt grounded and the kinds of problems anyone could relate to.
1:04.5	Life, death, friends, family, everyone's been there.
1:08.7	Captain Spirit is no different.
1:10.6	That of course is the voice of Patrick Kleppich from his piece Captain Spirit tells a fictional
1:15.9	story of abuse.
1:17.3	These people lived one.
1:18.8	I'm Danielle Rando and this is Waypoint Radio Episode 177.
1:22.8	Joining me in addition to Patrick today are Rob's Agni.
1:26.5	Hello.
1:27.7	Natalie Watson.
	...

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