Mar 30, 2012

Traitor and the ethics of treason

Traitor sounds like such a dirty word, I know, but the dialectics of treason are, quite simply, not that simple. Take the most obvious of examples: would a person who betrayed the Nazis have to live with the stigma of the turn-cloak or be considered a hero? And is treason against a brutal regime an act of courage or cowardice? Are people entitled to ever changing their minds? Should believing in the rights of one's nation ever justify genocide?

Interesting questions indeed, and what better way to start answering them than with the help of a freeware shoot-'em-up that can be enjoyed in the comfort of your browser? No, really, I'm being serious here. Play Traitor, the shmup that Jonas Kyratzes released a few days ago, and get thinking.  Oh, and, just in case you were wondering, it's another brilliant offering and a testament to the good dev's ability to make fantastic games regardless of genre; thus a great shmup.

Now, should I actually go on and mention the open structure of the gameworld, the multitude of available upgrades, the lovably glowing graphics, the sheer size of the game offer and the brilliant plot, or let you find out for yourself reader? Guess you're old enough. Find out for yourself.

Related @ Gnome's Lair:

10 comments:

  1. Personally, I would not consider treason a real crime.
    In any modern society, I have ever heard of, all if its citizens are simply born into that country and then forced to work for and follow the laws of said country.
    You don't get to choose, you don't get to leave unless they allow you to, you never swear elegance to it. There is no moral reason not to betray your country for money or because you like another country more.

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    1. Can't say I can fully disagree with you Jonathon... ;)

      Now, how cryptic was that?

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  2. That was actually pretty fun. There's a lot more to it than I would of thought, not just strictly shooting. Kinda cool you can actually make choices and suffer the consequences, plus all the upgrades you can purchase.

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    1. And the writing, eh? Brilliant game indeed!

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  3. Only Gnome could have me pondering the shifting sands of treason at tea time on a Friday evening....

    :)

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    1. And only a gnome could remind you via a gaming blog that not paying extra property taxes is a wise move :P

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  4. Next they'll be wanting to move in with us..

    and may I remind you...

    ....not only a gnome... THE Gnome.. remember the Gnomearchy, ahem! my role as Commander in Chief of communications and entertainment?

    (salutes his leader)

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    1. (salutes back)

      Yes, yes, indeed. How things slip my overworked mind my good vizier. Came with a new tradition too, even thought such a claim does sound contradictory. It will be called the banker-hunting-month.

      Yeeee, the kids will love it.

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  5. Ah yes, because treason is how the powers that be refer to those that undermine them, morality aside. Thought-provoking stuff.

    Oh yeah, and everyone should play Traitor, of course!

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    1. Absolutely!

      Also, we do of course agree.

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