Web Games and Social Commentary

Why write a letter to the editor when you can make a web-based game about current events?

The people who make those little web browser games never cease to amaze me. I'm not even sure if the 2006 World Cup was even over before the Zidane Head Butt Game was online.

But that's the beauty of these simple games programmed with Shockwave Flash, they can be made and distributed instantly.

I mean, forget blogging about Dick Cheney shooting a fellow hunter, it's far more satisfying to make Duck Hunt With Dick Cheney!

Originally, amateur Flash programmers were all about violence against stick figures (well, many still are) but it's become a new form of commentary.

With a quick download, the arm chair general can be blowing away Bin Laden with the click of mouse or do horrible things to George W. Bush if he's your prefered target.

The games are usually simplistic and quick fun, (usually best used as a distraction at work) but at the same time, it's a new form of expression.