Games And Politics, Together Again For The First Time.

Ok, maybe this isn’t the first time games and politics have been together, but this is certainly the most interesting. Joystiq and Kotaku among many other game related sites are reporting that Judge Mathis (of television fame) is working on a video game. But not just any video game, a third person shooter, where in a odd change of pace you’re supposed to make GOOD decisions. This is most definitely going against the norm of say Saints Row, or Grand Theft Auto 3/4, but there is one topic that apparently transcends all morality choices. That topic my friends, is rape.

The game “Judge Mathis ‘Detroit’ Street Judge” is coming out on the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC. Via Yahoo “Players will step into the role of convicted felon La-Ron Washington, who’s been released from prison early due to overcrowding but has two strikes hanging over his head. La-Ron is given one last chance; he must stay out of trouble, perform community services and avoid negative street influences and temptations. One more strike and La-Ron gets a life sentence from Judge Mathis. But out on the street, the entire Detroit underworld wants him dead for the alleged murder of a crime boss ‘“ a murder he didn’t commit.”

Judge Mathis says in an interview:

When you go to prison, you gain credibility when you come back on the streets. On the other hand, when you go to prison you can also be raped. So take your chances. We may see young people who make the wrong choice and go to prison and are assaulted repeatedly (in this game).

Yes my loyal readers, prison rape. One can only imagine what kind of backlash this will bring upon the gaming industry. We can thank our lucky stars that Mr. Thompson has been disbarred. He’s chomping at the bit to tackle this I’m sure.

What baffles me though is that Judge Mathis is making a game. What’s the key demographic for this game, my grandmother? I think any kid would buy “Judge Mathis’ Prison Rape Simulator” about as quickly as “Billy Grahams Bible Blaster”. This is ridiculous, and with so many GOOD games getting canceled (R.I.P Starcraft: Ghost), this is a disgrace to us gamers.

One more thing before I leave, La-Ron? Really? That’s the best name you could think of? Can you get together with his girlfriend Shaniquah? Or what about his cousins Bojazz and Jazzbo? Maybe his father Kunta-Kinte or his mother Jemimah can post bail for him.