I'm O.K - A Murder Simulator

Infobox VG
title = I'm O.K - A Murder Simulator


developer = Thompsonsoft
publisher = Thompsonsoft
distributor =
designer =
engine = Multimedia Fusion
version =
released = 2005
genre = Run and gun
modes = single-player
ratings =
platforms = Microsoft Windows
media = download
requirements =
input = keyboard

"I'm O.K - A Murder Simulator" is a computer game which was released as a free download by a group of people (proclaiming themselves to be "3 alcoholics and a foreign exchange student") calling themselves "Thompsonsoft". [ [http://gamepolitics.livejournal.com/197980.html "New Game Designed Around Jack Thompson's 'Modest Proposal'"] , "Gamepolitics", February 5, 2006] It was created as a satirical response to a challenge by anti-video game-violence attorney Jack Thompson.

Background

This game was created and released in response to the "modest video game proposal" issued in late-2005 by activist attorney Jack Thompson, known for his crusades against sex and violence in entertainment, including computer and video games. This challenge dared computer game producers to release a game following a "script" he outlined, in which the grieving father of a child killed by a computer gamer takes vengeance by murdering many people connected with the gaming industry in a brutal manner. [cite journal | journal = Computer Gaming World | date = 2007-02-01 | accessdate = 2007-07-07 | title = 101 Free Games;The best games that money can't buy | pages = Vol. 3 | author = The Freeloader | publisher = Ziff Davis Media Inc. ] Thompson promised to contribute a $10,000 donation to the charity of choice of Paul Eibeler (then-chairman of Take-Two Interactive, one of the game companies most heavily criticized by Thompson) if such a game were released. However, he has since claimed that the proposal was only a joke, and currently, no charity has been designated by Eibeler. The gaming-related webcomic site "Penny Arcade" has, however, made a $10,000 donation in Thompson's name to ESA Foundation, a charity set up by gaming companies to help sick children. [ [http://www.penny-arcade.com/2005/10/17 "You Lose"] , "Penny Arcade, October 17, 2005] [ [http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/gta4/news.html?sid=6135940 "Penny Arcade donates in Thompson's stead"] , "GameSpot", October 17, 2005]

The "O.K" in the title refers to the initials of the protagonist, Osaki Kim, but together with the second part of the game's name is also a play on the accusation that video game violence is being considered normal by manufacturers and gamers. The reference to a "Murder Simulator" refers to what Thompson regularly proclaims all violent computer games to be. [cite news | work = Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | date = 2007-02-04 | accessdate = 2007-07-07 | author = Janice Crompton | pages = Washington Edition. W-1 | title = Vexation Finds Voice in Debate Over Video Violence ]

"I'm O.K" is a side-scrolling game with 16-bit era low-resolution graphics that shares (to a degree) the basic gameplay (and somewhat lowbrow humor) of the "Metal Slug" series.

Levels

There are 4 main levels in the game with 3 bonus levels, one after each level except for the final level. The bonus levels give the player a minute to shoot people and collect coins that pop out of their bodies. The point of the bonus levels is to give the player money to buy weapons at the weapon store, following the completion of a bonus level.

The four main levels are:
* Paula Eibel's House (a parody of Paul Eibeler)
* Offices of Blank, Stare (A parody of Blank Rome, legal counselors of Take Two Interactive)
* Game Werks (A parody of GameWorks)
* E³

The three bonus levels are:

* Beast Buy (A parody of Best Buy)
* P.U. Games (A parody of E.B. Games)
* Mal-Wart (A parody of Wal-Mart)

Weapons

There are seven weapons available for use in the game, each selectable if ammo for the weapon is available. The baseball bat and pistol are both provided at the start of the game, and the pistol has unlimited ammunition. The molotov cocktail may only be used as a secondary attack, while all other weapons are stored as numbered inventories. Weapons may either be purchased from a weapons shop, or picked up in all levels.

* Baseball bat
* Handgun
* Shotgun
* Dual-wielded Uzis
* Thrown machetes
* Rocket launchers
* Molotov cocktails

Allusions to other games

Despite being produced in the 21st century, the game is made in a "retro" style, emulating 1980s games for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It parodies many games both past and present:

*The Konami Code is present, typed in at the start screen, pressing the enter button in place of the start button at the end of the code. Once activated, it shows a parody of the Hot Coffee sex scenes involving Jack Thompson and Osaki Kim with characters from the game dancing around them. Jack Thompson's own comments were cut and pasted together with techno sounds to make the background music for this scene. The lyrics have Jack talking about "beating up the kids, with... a hammer."
*Typing the 'idkfa' 'all-weapons' cheat code from Doom) will produce the same result in "I'm OK".
*The title screen (top right) is almost identical to that of "Mega Man 2". It even humorously mentions that the event takes place in 200X and has Osaki Kim teleporting (leaping vertically) when one starts or exits the game.
*Mario plays both the judge in the opening sequence and the end boss, with a "™" sign satirically placed on the sprite.
* Osaki Kim is capable of urinating during gameplay, a feature also included in "Postal²".
* The music for the Game Werks level features a medley containing remixed music from various games, including "Super Mario Bros." and the "Legend of Zelda series".
* One of the pictures in Paul Eibler's house is actually a screen from the "Zero Wing" "All your base are belong to us" intro.
*The final credit sequence of the game is heavily reminiscent in style to the ending credits of the Japanese freeware platformer "Cave Story".
*The music in the credit sequence is a remix of the starting tune from "Duck Hunt".

Other allusions

*The appearance of the lawyer in the opening sequence has been pointed to be similar to that of Sagat. However, he bears a greater resemblance to the Action Man villain Dr. X (ie. Dr. Mindbender US), even having been named in a similar manner (Lawyer X) and wearing a purple and green outfit often associated with the character.
* In the dialog with the stage 2 boss, Osaki says "My name is Osaki Kim. You killed my son. Prepare to die!!", which is a reference to Inigo Montoya's famous line in "The Princess Bride".

See also

* "Eternal Daughter" - Another freeware game with sprite-work done by Derek Yu.
* "Aquaria" - Another game with graphics by Derek Yu, but not freeware.

References and notes

External links

* [http://www.imok.gzwn.net/ A mirror of the game.]
* [http://gc.advancedmn.com/article.php?artid=5883 Thompson's proposal]
* [http://www.derekyu.com/games.html Download "I'm O.K - A Murder Simulator"]