This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/apr/09/metal-gear-solid-ground-zeroes-sexual-violence
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes fails to portray sexual violence meaningfully | Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes fails to portray sexual violence meaningfully |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| Trigger warning: discussion of rape and sexual violence | Trigger warning: discussion of rape and sexual violence |
| Spoilers for Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes | Spoilers for Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes |
| There have been plenty of Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes reviews, some of which have been greatly revered and lauded as brilliant pieces of writing but, barring the Telegraph’s review, they have all failed to do so much as acknowledge the existence of tape number 4 [a discoverable in-game artifact] which depicts rape and child rape in the form of an audio recording. | There have been plenty of Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes reviews, some of which have been greatly revered and lauded as brilliant pieces of writing but, barring the Telegraph’s review, they have all failed to do so much as acknowledge the existence of tape number 4 [a discoverable in-game artifact] which depicts rape and child rape in the form of an audio recording. |
| Yes, the same publications that questioned the implied rape in Tomb Raider, who were disgusted by the torture scene and sexism in GTAV and raged about the oversized breasts in Dragon’s Crown, didn’t | Yes, the same publications that questioned the implied rape in Tomb Raider, who were disgusted by the torture scene and sexism in GTAV and raged about the oversized breasts in Dragon’s Crown, didn’t |
| think it necessary to highlight the fact that a tape depicting rape is | think it necessary to highlight the fact that a tape depicting rape is |
| used as a reward for the completion of a mission in Ground Zeroes. | used as a reward for the completion of a mission in Ground Zeroes. |
| Or, that in spite of ESRB’s inclusion of a sexual violence warning, | Or, that in spite of ESRB’s inclusion of a sexual violence warning, |
| PEGI have included this under the "violence" content warning | PEGI have included this under the "violence" content warning |
| and as such no mention of sexual violence appears on the box or in game. | and as such no mention of sexual violence appears on the box or in game. |
| Instead, publications have focused on dismissing the fact that the | Instead, publications have focused on dismissing the fact that the |
| main mission can be completed in 10 minutes on a speed run and | main mission can be completed in 10 minutes on a speed run and |
| convincing readers not to write it off just yet, it really is worth | convincing readers not to write it off just yet, it really is worth |
| playing, oh and there’s even some depth in its depiction of Guantanamo | playing, oh and there’s even some depth in its depiction of Guantanamo |
| Bay. The length of the game is the main talking point, not the rape or | Bay. The length of the game is the main talking point, not the rape or |
| child rape, not the fact that this is used as a reward, not the fact | child rape, not the fact that this is used as a reward, not the fact |
| that there is no warning that this will happen. Every other detail of | that there is no warning that this will happen. Every other detail of |
| the game engulfs this miniscule, unimportant tape. | the game engulfs this miniscule, unimportant tape. |
| It’s easy to question the function of sexual assault as a catalyst for story progression in Tomb Raider. It’s easy to say that the world of GTA is | It’s easy to question the function of sexual assault as a catalyst for story progression in Tomb Raider. It’s easy to say that the world of GTA is |
| sexist. It’s even easier to criticise overtly sexual, even comical, | sexist. It’s even easier to criticise overtly sexual, even comical, |
| depictions of women. But to criticise Kojima? Someone whose stories | depictions of women. But to criticise Kojima? Someone whose stories |
| we’re not supposed to take any notice of and we’re supposed to just | we’re not supposed to take any notice of and we’re supposed to just |
| humour and pat him on the head and say "It’s OK, we don’t expect you to | humour and pat him on the head and say "It’s OK, we don’t expect you to |
| tell meaningful stories". That is, seemingly, extremely difficult. | tell meaningful stories". That is, seemingly, extremely difficult. |
| Sound effects | |
| The tape in question is picked up as an extra during one of the | The tape in question is picked up as an extra during one of the |
| missions, is just under 10 minutes long and depicts the torture and | missions, is just under 10 minutes long and depicts the torture and |
| interrogation of Paz and Chico and the dual rape of Paz and Chico (Chico | interrogation of Paz and Chico and the dual rape of Paz and Chico (Chico |
| is forced to rape Paz but as he’s a child and is forced by Skullface | is forced to rape Paz but as he’s a child and is forced by Skullface |
| into the act, is also raped by Paz). The thing that immediately jumps | into the act, is also raped by Paz). The thing that immediately jumps |
| out and makes me extremely uncomfortable is the fact that I’m discussing | out and makes me extremely uncomfortable is the fact that I’m discussing |
| a game which has a character called "Skullface". A character who looks | a game which has a character called "Skullface". A character who looks |
| like a zombie and seems to be evil for the sake of evil, from a series | like a zombie and seems to be evil for the sake of evil, from a series |
| which is known for its ludicrous, over-the-top antagonists. This | which is known for its ludicrous, over-the-top antagonists. This |
| character forces two people to have sex with each other against their | character forces two people to have sex with each other against their |
| will, this caricature is used as a vehicle to incorporate difficult | will, this caricature is used as a vehicle to incorporate difficult |
| themes like rape and sexual assault into a series which is renowned for | themes like rape and sexual assault into a series which is renowned for |
| being playful and not taking itself seriously. | being playful and not taking itself seriously. |
| The tape in itself is a catalogue of poor writing and voice acting, | The tape in itself is a catalogue of poor writing and voice acting, |
| with Skullface’s typical American "baddie" voice and the | with Skullface’s typical American "baddie" voice and the |
| oft-quoted series of increasingly disturbing lines, said to Chico after | oft-quoted series of increasingly disturbing lines, said to Chico after |
| Skullface has stripped Paz: "Do you like what you see?" "It’s like… fruit. | Skullface has stripped Paz: "Do you like what you see?" "It’s like… fruit. |
| Does she look sweet or sour? A man has to know these things. Time for a | Does she look sweet or sour? A man has to know these things. Time for a |
| taste test. Either you take her now or you are strung up next." | taste test. Either you take her now or you are strung up next." |
| These | These |
| all add up to make what could have been an evocative scene extremely | all add up to make what could have been an evocative scene extremely |
| cringeworthy and sickening to listen to; it feels like the subject | cringeworthy and sickening to listen to; it feels like the subject |
| matter is not being taken seriously in the slightest and instead, | matter is not being taken seriously in the slightest and instead, |
| the game is doing its best to create snappy, easily quotable lines of dialogue | the game is doing its best to create snappy, easily quotable lines of dialogue |
| rather than anything even bordering on meaningful. It’s laden with childish comments from Skullface about Chico needing | rather than anything even bordering on meaningful. It’s laden with childish comments from Skullface about Chico needing |
| to become a man and references to Paz as Chico’s "girlfriend" or a girl | to become a man and references to Paz as Chico’s "girlfriend" or a girl |
| he’s trying to impress. Paz is put into the | he’s trying to impress. Paz is put into the |
| submissive, controllable role of "girl" and removing her independence as | submissive, controllable role of "girl" and removing her independence as |
| a grown woman and placing Skullface into the familial father role, with | a grown woman and placing Skullface into the familial father role, with |
| Chico fulfilling the role of child and Paz as the mother, controlled | Chico fulfilling the role of child and Paz as the mother, controlled |
| and "girled" by Skullface. | and "girled" by Skullface. |
| This in itself sets the tone for the tape. It’s childish. It contains no nuance at all, it’s a child’s idea of what | This in itself sets the tone for the tape. It’s childish. It contains no nuance at all, it’s a child’s idea of what |
| rape is like. An evil man does an evil thing. It’s as simple as that, | rape is like. An evil man does an evil thing. It’s as simple as that, |
| and of course the woman (or girl) is at least partly to blame as she | and of course the woman (or girl) is at least partly to blame as she |
| specialises in "deception and deceit, what better proof she’s a real | specialises in "deception and deceit, what better proof she’s a real |
| woman". | woman". |
| The degradation continues | The degradation continues |
| After beating them both, Skullface rips off Paz’s clothes and | After beating them both, Skullface rips off Paz’s clothes and |
| comments to Chico "Repulsive, isn’t it?" Following this, it’s | comments to Chico "Repulsive, isn’t it?" Following this, it’s |
| deliberately unclear whether Skullface rapes Paz but the sound is more | deliberately unclear whether Skullface rapes Paz but the sound is more |
| like thrusting than punching, and as the ESRB rating states, "a female | like thrusting than punching, and as the ESRB rating states, "a female |
| character is sexually assaulted by male characters", | character is sexually assaulted by male characters", |
| it is certainly suggested that he does. Skullface then offers up Paz to | it is certainly suggested that he does. Skullface then offers up Paz to |
| Chico, like a piece of food on a plate ready for his consumption with | Chico, like a piece of food on a plate ready for his consumption with |
| no personal autonomy or voice of her own. This interaction is extremely | no personal autonomy or voice of her own. This interaction is extremely |
| Oedipal, like the father handing over his sexual, phallic power to his | Oedipal, like the father handing over his sexual, phallic power to his |
| son and allowing him to realise his Oedipal desire for his mother (in | son and allowing him to realise his Oedipal desire for his mother (in |
| this case, with Paz as the role of the mother due to the age gap between | this case, with Paz as the role of the mother due to the age gap between |
| Paz and Chico). | Paz and Chico). |
| When Kojima finally grants Paz a voice, she, a 25-year-old woman, | When Kojima finally grants Paz a voice, she, a 25-year-old woman, |
| initiates a sex act with Chico, a 13-year-old boy, immediately after | initiates a sex act with Chico, a 13-year-old boy, immediately after |
| they have both been raped. She asks him to move closer to her, seems to | they have both been raped. She asks him to move closer to her, seems to |
| kiss him and, in spite of Chico’s protestations, asks: "You want to do it | kiss him and, in spite of Chico’s protestations, asks: "You want to do it |
| here?" heavily suggesting that Paz is initiating sex with Chico. This | here?" heavily suggesting that Paz is initiating sex with Chico. This |
| casts Paz as an evil, deviant, sexually aggressive woman who deserves | casts Paz as an evil, deviant, sexually aggressive woman who deserves |
| punishment. This is furthered by the change in her appearance from Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker where she had an extremely feminine look, compared to her more masculine, short-haired appearance in Ground Zeroes, allying her with the male aggressor and making her seem more dangerous (because of course, feminine women can’t be dangerous). | punishment. This is furthered by the change in her appearance from Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker where she had an extremely feminine look, compared to her more masculine, short-haired appearance in Ground Zeroes, allying her with the male aggressor and making her seem more dangerous (because of course, feminine women can’t be dangerous). |
| The bomb scene | The bomb scene |
| The scene borders on the pornographic, the build up with close ups of | The scene borders on the pornographic, the build up with close ups of |
| the stitching being slowly removed, moving on to close ups of hands | the stitching being slowly removed, moving on to close ups of hands |
| inside Paz’s stomach, her blood and intestines glistening in the garish | inside Paz’s stomach, her blood and intestines glistening in the garish |
| lights of the helicopter and of her face as she screams in agony. | lights of the helicopter and of her face as she screams in agony. |
| It’s almost as though Kojima revels in the pain she experiences, | It’s almost as though Kojima revels in the pain she experiences, |
| casting it as a complete necessity – no, there’s no time for | casting it as a complete necessity – no, there’s no time for |
| anaesthetic, maximum pain must be ensured for some unspoken reason. | anaesthetic, maximum pain must be ensured for some unspoken reason. |
| The only way that Paz can redeem herself of her actions towards Chico | The only way that Paz can redeem herself of her actions towards Chico |
| and our realisation of her as a sexually manipulative woman and reach | and our realisation of her as a sexually manipulative woman and reach |
| salvation, to become accepted by Snake and his team as "one of the good | salvation, to become accepted by Snake and his team as "one of the good |
| guys", is to become a martyr and literally destroy her genitals (and her | guys", is to become a martyr and literally destroy her genitals (and her |
| entire body). She saves them from the destruction that her sexuality | entire body). She saves them from the destruction that her sexuality |
| would otherwise bring and embraces her sacrifice as she dives out of the | would otherwise bring and embraces her sacrifice as she dives out of the |
| plane with crossed arms, facing Snake the whole time, able to be at | plane with crossed arms, facing Snake the whole time, able to be at |
| peace with herself in the knowledge that she thinks she’s saved them. | peace with herself in the knowledge that she thinks she’s saved them. |
| Context and warning | Context and warning |
| I find it extremely distressing that there is no clear warning of the | I find it extremely distressing that there is no clear warning of the |
| content either on the box or anywhere around the tape which is simply | content either on the box or anywhere around the tape which is simply |
| called "interrogation" and seriously hope that if there is any similar | called "interrogation" and seriously hope that if there is any similar |
| content in the forthcoming Metal Gear Solid: Phantom Pain, that there will at the very least be trigger warnings on the box. I was already feeling extremely wary about Phantom Pain, and the content from Ground Zeroes combined with the Phantom Pain | content in the forthcoming Metal Gear Solid: Phantom Pain, that there will at the very least be trigger warnings on the box. I was already feeling extremely wary about Phantom Pain, and the content from Ground Zeroes combined with the Phantom Pain |
| trailer and Kojima’s comments about the character, Quiet, have hardly absolved the | trailer and Kojima’s comments about the character, Quiet, have hardly absolved the |
| pit-of-the stomach worry that comes to mind when I consider Kojima’s | pit-of-the stomach worry that comes to mind when I consider Kojima’s |
| reasoning for Quiet’s outfit. Right now I have no hope for the way that | reasoning for Quiet’s outfit. Right now I have no hope for the way that |
| child soldiers, or any of the female characters in Phantom Pain will be portrayed, Ground Zeroes has | child soldiers, or any of the female characters in Phantom Pain will be portrayed, Ground Zeroes has |
| presented no tact or maturity in its representation of tough issues | presented no tact or maturity in its representation of tough issues |
| and, unfortunately, I don’t expect that to change in the Metal Gear series any time soon. | and, unfortunately, I don’t expect that to change in the Metal Gear series any time soon. |
| The whole of Ground Zeroes is simply a catalyst, a backstory for the upcoming Phantom Pain. | The whole of Ground Zeroes is simply a catalyst, a backstory for the upcoming Phantom Pain. |
| Paz and Chico’s rapes function only to further Snake’s story, to give | Paz and Chico’s rapes function only to further Snake’s story, to give |
| him a reason for revenge and to have been in a coma. They are victims | him a reason for revenge and to have been in a coma. They are victims |
| for the sake of the progression of another character; the scenes are | for the sake of the progression of another character; the scenes are |
| careless, clumsy and childish. In his desperation to achieve “what | careless, clumsy and childish. In his desperation to achieve “what |
| movies and novels have achieved”, Kojima has created a piece of work that | movies and novels have achieved”, Kojima has created a piece of work that |
| shows complete disdain for the only female character in the game, a | shows complete disdain for the only female character in the game, a |
| fetishisation of Paz’s pain and has failed to create any meaningful | fetishisation of Paz’s pain and has failed to create any meaningful |
| portrayal of sexual violence. | portrayal of sexual violence. |
| • This is a slightly edited version of the blogpost "Chico's Tape 4", which originally appeared on Ria Jenkins' site, Introskeptive. | • This is a slightly edited version of the blogpost "Chico's Tape 4", which originally appeared on Ria Jenkins' site, Introskeptive. |