The Man Behind the Trigger

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.