Hatred ‘doesn’t encourage’ mass killings in real life, defends developer

Among traditional media outlets (read: non-gaming new coverage), there's the belief that video games could be responsible, or at least play a factor, in the psychopathic tendencies that tend to drive mass murderers. We've seen it in the past with things tragic events like Columbine or the Navy Yard shootings. Despite numerous studies conducted there's been no clear answer as to whether or not there is a correlation between violence in real life being caused by violent video games. Still, every time we see a violent video game, the question comes up.

"I could ask the same question to media representatives – do they believe that featuring violent movies on weekends in early time of the day can lead to aggression? Are they aware that even PEGI 18 will not stop a teenager to watch porn channels or violent movies? This is the question of not what is allowed and served, but about control," Destructive Creations'  Przemyslaw Szczepaniak, developer of controversial shooter Hatred, said to me when asked if he believes if violent video games lead to increased aggression among teenagers.

For those unfamiliar, Hatred is an isometric shooter which puts the players in the shoes of a nameless, nihilstic psychopath on a mass murdering spree. The initial reveal trailer highlighted mass killings filled with intense violence and over-the-top gore. The shocking trailer created quite a stir among the gaming industry, with Valve even removing Hatred from its Steam Greenlight campaign. Valve creator Gabe Newell eventually apologized to the developers and reinstated the campaign.

Hatred is currently the #1 Steam Greenlight game, and as such I asked Szczepaniak if the developers feel any responsibility in releasing a game like this or the impact it might have on society.

"We are preparing a product, just like any other developer," he told me. "It’s a shooter game with more 'in your face attitude.' We do not justify the violence, like many AAA games do. We are giving out a game that says: 'I’m a shooting game that takes no prisoners, and you will like it or not.' We cannot feel responsible for wrong interpretation of our game."

"We also cannot be responsible for violent actions that would happen after its release," Szczepaniak continued. "The product is not   encouraging anyone to kill everyone – if that would happen then probably hundreds of games before ours would cause massive genocide. The society will choose to play it or not –  simple as that."

"We are not breaking any laws, we just tell you that the game will be some kind of catharsis, and playing it will tell you how long you can last in the virtual mass destruction," Szczepaniak concluded.

Check back tomorrow for our full interview with Destructive Creations' Przemyslaw Szczepaniak. Check back this week for continued coverage of the game. Hatred is on track for a PC release in Q2 2015.