10 Overblown Video Game Controversies

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you play a survival horror game against hordes of the undead? Are you tensed up due to lack of supplies? Are you happy to know you've finally been paired up with some competent allies? Or are you disgusted at the blatant racism against African-Americans in the game?

During the beta phase of the cooperative zombie frag-a-thon Left 4 Dead 2, a blog post on the Houston Chronicle appeared and condemned the game for setting one of the levels in New Orleans and featuring many black zombies.

During this time, New Orleans was hit by Hurricane Katrina, but even then, it seemed a stretch to call out Valve and slander them for the setting.

Of course, bravery and stupidity easily intertwine with one another. Not realizing that the zombies could easily have been tanned by the hot sun, or that there were two other black protagonists to play as in the game, it still caused quite an uproar in the community, the average response being something in the lines of “What the hell are you talking about?”

Valve's response was the same thing, but on a more professional note. Left 4 Dead writer Chet Faliszek described the accusation as “utter insanity,” and with good reason. As this dumbfounded moment in gaming proves, sweeping generalizations is no substitute for arguments backed up with sufficient evidence.