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O homem por trás do ruim
In 2005, notorious media watchdog activist Jack Thompson sent a press release offering a reward in the form of a charity donation if someone made and published a game in which the player violently attacks video game developers.
In February, 2006, a satire game based on this open letter was actually released, a freeware project courtesy of a team of indie developers under the "Thompsonsoft" label.
Now, 20 years later (a bit late, I know), Pedro Baretta brings his own vision to the formula.
Synopsis
You are a god-fearing, law-abiding citizen (well... except for the part of killing people), it's the year of 2005, and society is corrupted in a way never before seen in human history. Feeling to swim against a current, you still have your trust-worthy gun with you, you take a look at the city lights and you have no doubt about it, it is the right thing to do.
Take a trip through six locations to seek and kill some of the most influential media people in the world.
Go to San Francisco, CA, to kill famous occult writer Elizabeth Winther in her mansion.
Go to Hollywood, CA, to kill film director Giovanni Rosati at the premiere of his newest bloodbath.
Take a visit to New York City in order to kill notorious rapper Mack-10 at his hotel room.
Stop by Jacksonville, FL, and go all guns blazing at an event of the World Stardom Wrestling (WSW). I bet the audience will love to see a "massacre" on the ring.
Take an international trip to Japan, and invade the offices of the Azuma Corps, a conglomerate with their noses on everything; from consumer electronics, to video games, comics, animation and pornography. Burn their archives down and kill their chairman.
After you complete all the stages, in the order you see fit, a final stage will unlock. Go to the Gaucho Highlands in southern Brazil and invade the science park of Barettopolis to seek and kill your nemesis: Pedro H. Baretta... Wait! What!?
Gameplay
The game offers five stages to be played in any order, completing them will unlock a final stage. Each stage uses a platform engine, the gameplay consists of platform-shooting, with light exploration elements (find key to open door, locate the target in the area...); some stages require intense exploration, while others are more straightforward.
The player can collect money from enemies killed, which can be used to buy weapons in-between stages. Weapons and health-pickups can be collected across the current stage.
Weapons
Sub-machine gun: Ordinary toy gun they sell at department stores;
Grenades: If you ain't scared of making things messy;
Assault rifle: Works well at a crowded area;
Shotgun: Armour-piercing ammo that will penetrate the flesh of the enemy;
Flamethrower: These guys are gonna burn forever, they better get used to it.
Features
Graphics made using the Sega Mega Drive's sexy color palette;
Over-the-top violence and gore; bowels coming out of bodies, legs and arms flying around after being severed by an explosion, screams of despair after being set on fire and the body starts to burn;
Stages can be played in the order you want;
Purchase weapons in between stages with money you steal from corpses. Have preference for a specific weapon? Stock ammo for it so you can use it as you please during a stage;
Besides killing media people, you spend most of the game killing their bodyguards: Police officers, private security, man in black... They will come after you with water pistols and nightsticks, as well as grenades and rifles;
Exploration elements; take a look around the area and you may find goodies to help you out.
Easily modify the audio files (.ogg) to personalize your own soundtrack (Ludwig van Beethoven reccomended for some ultraviolence).
Bonus
Inside the game's folder there are two PDF files:
About the Autor: Self-explanatory;
paik CES: The paik CES is referenced in-game as a fictional video game console, this document explains the machine; it's technology, the logistics, and fictional game library. A silly bonus to complement the game lore.
Notice
This game is a satirical work. Pedro Baretta and his label, Book Burning Productions, supports free speech and absolutely do not condone violence against artists and corporate executives.
Book Burning Productions is neither a registered company nor a trademark, it is just a fancy name for the development of this game.
Pedro Baretta is not affiliated with Sega Sammy Holdings, Jack Thompson, or the people involved with Thompsonsoft; such entities are cited only for reference.
Info
·Distribution: Steam, Game Jolt, itch.io;
Price: USD 4.99;
Release forecast: June 19, 2026;
Genre: Platform-shooter;
Modes: Single-player only;
Difficulty: Challenging;
Estimate playthrough: ~1 hour, with no deaths;
Intended audience: Mature;
Development tools: Game Maker: Studio.
Links
YouTube trailer: https://youtu.be/vs0fwEOGuH4
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