10 Most Desperate Ways Video Games Got You To Play
9. Being As Edgy As Humanly Possible
Less deceitful though arguably more annoying than bullshot culture is the tendency for some developers to make a living by pandering to the surprisingly lucrative "edgelord" contingent of players.
This isn't to say that games shouldn't challenge social norms or ask provocative questions, but far too often developers will create willfully offensive and objectionable material simply to ride the wave of anti-PC fervour. Because of course, as the saying goes, controversy creates cash.
Perhaps the most outrageous example in recent years is Hatred, the game in which players control a mass murdering misanthrope, the only goal being to slaughter as many innocent humans as possible.
Less a game created out of artistic inspiration than a lazy attempt to cash-in on reactionary politics, Hatred was critically reviled and yet a considerable commercial success. The ruse worked.
It doesn't always work, though: remember when iconic 2000 dud FPS Daikatana sold itself with the audacious, over-confident marketing slogan, "John Romero's about to make you his b*tch."? Daikatana ended up flopping, and designer Romero categorically made nobody his b*tch.
Even so, waving your hands wildly in the air and saying or doing outrageous, transgressive things is an easy way to get your game attention, even if there might not be much compelling behind it.