# Videogame Combos = Thread Deletion?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videogame-combos-thread-deletion/307204>\
**Category:** The BBQ Pit\
**Created:** [June 6, 2005, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videogame-combos-thread-deletion/307204 "2005-06-06T20:28:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 4

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**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\
**Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videogame-combos-thread-deletion/307204/61 "2005-06-07T19:50:48Z")

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> [@Ferret Herder](#):
>
> Oh yeah, I’m a survivor of rape, if that matters. I have a hard time watching even serious presentations of it (the aforementioned Foster film, for instance), but I know that some people utilize it in an otherwise healthy sexual fantasy/roleplay life, and as long as they’re being respectful and safe, I don’t care.

I’m a double-rape survivor, and I have no problem with either the fantasies/roleplay, or artistic portayal. Whether VG portrayals are “artistic” is debateable, but I’d rather err on the side of being grown-up, I guess.

portrayals of anal male rape still squicks me out, though.

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**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\
**Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videogame-combos-thread-deletion/307204/62 "2005-06-07T19:52:03Z")

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> [@PunditLisa](#):
>
> Wow. Let me make clear to you that some people DO think that there’s something wrong with it. And that is why we’re discussing it.

Yes, and you have yet to give a good reason why your opinion about what should be discussed on the boards should be imposed on the rest of us. I’ve always felt that the SDMB ideal was that anything can be discussed here, so long as it doesn’t lead directly to the comission of a crime or open the Reader up to a lawsuit? How does the OP’s question do either? If not, what is your justification for disallowing it?

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**Author:** ![Stringer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Stringer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringer)\
**Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videogame-combos-thread-deletion/307204/63 "2005-06-07T20:02:00Z")

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> [@Miller](#):
>
> Yes, and you have yet to give a good reason why your opinion about what should be discussed on the boards should be imposed on the rest of us. I’ve always felt that the SDMB ideal was that anything can be discussed here, so long as it doesn’t lead directly to the comission of a crime or open the Reader up to a lawsuit? How does the OP’s question do either? If not, what is your justification for disallowing it?

The argument against it all along has been that discussing specific rape simulations is in bad taste. Taste being subjective, I don’t think anything resembling objective justification will surface anytime soon.

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**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videogame-combos-thread-deletion/307204/64 "2005-06-08T00:14:02Z")

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> [@Weirddave](#):
>
> Well then, do you have a specific example of my making statements like those you mentioned in your previous post? :dubious:

Since I _didn’t_ accuse you of making any such statements in my original post, I think you’re trying to ask me to prove a negative.

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**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videogame-combos-thread-deletion/307204/65 "2005-06-08T00:14:06Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> **micahjn** said:  
> The argument against it all along has been that discussing specific rape simulations is in bad taste.

The problem is that **PunditLisa** seems to think that her standard of taste is the only correct one, and that those of us who don’t have a problem with discussion of fictional depictions of rape and/or rape fantasies are devoid of sense and social grace.

She’s not advancing that argument, she’s assuming her opinion is the right one and then getting all snooty with anyone who disagrees based on her ‘experience as a rape counselor for 18 months.’

I don’t agree with her. I definitely don’t want her or anyone else speaking for how rape survivors feel. I’ll speak for myself, and let other rape survivors speak for themselves.

-catsix, rape survivor.

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**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videogame-combos-thread-deletion/307204/66 "2005-06-08T00:30:01Z")

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> [@micahjn](#):
>
> The argument against it all along has been that discussing specific rape simulations is in bad taste. Taste being subjective, I don’t think anything resembling objective justification will surface anytime soon.

Well, that’s pretty much my point. Subjective determinations of taste are not a good basis for moderating a messageboard. If **PunditLisa** is disturbed by discussions of fictional representations of rape, the easiest solution is for her not to read those threads, not to force all posters on the board to conform to her notions of propriety.

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**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videogame-combos-thread-deletion/307204/67 "2005-06-08T00:50:04Z")

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> [@rjung](#):
>
> Since I _didn’t_ accuse you of making any such statements in my original post, I think you’re trying to ask me to prove a negative.

What’s the problem with proving a negative?

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**Author:** ![The\_Hook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@The\_Hook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hook)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videogame-combos-thread-deletion/307204/68 "2005-06-08T02:40:28Z")

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> [@PunditLisa](#):
>
> I will also say that I’m not just speaking out of my ass. I was a rape crisis counselor for 18 months. I participated in a series of panel discussions which included therapists, victims, counselors AND offenders. I have more than anecdotal evidence on the matter. I don’t claim to be an expert, but I do know more about the subject than the average Joe.

…which has nothing to do with your assertion that videogames (also movies and, more prominently, books) that portray rape (or other violent acts) are dangerous. I have a hard time believing violence will subside if videogames and movies seized to exist.

If you can prove violence in videogames exclusively trigger violence in average joe sadist, I am at your command. The truth is that, yes, many people who tend to be violent in their response vent most of their frustration and anger with videogames. Don’t have a videogame where you can shoot “innocent” CGI? Well, might as well shoot’em up in real life and be done with it. Yeah, you can see how _that’s_ better.

> [@](#):
>
> Honestly. How people can defend the thread as if it were just another innocuous “how to” thread is truly beyond me. Rape as entertainment? What’s next? A videogame where you can pretend you’re a virtual Lee Harvey Oswald?

😃

I love it when conservative folk show how behind their times they are. 😃

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**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videogame-combos-thread-deletion/307204/69 "2005-06-08T02:55:14Z")

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> [@Liberal](#):
>
> What’s the problem with proving a negative?

What _isn’t_ the problem with proving a negative?

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**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videogame-combos-thread-deletion/307204/70 "2005-06-08T03:24:04Z")

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> [@PunditLisa](#):
>
> I will also say that I’m not just speaking out of my ass. I was a rape crisis counselor for 18 months. I participated in a series of panel discussions which included therapists, victims, counselors AND offenders. I have more than anecdotal evidence on the matter. I don’t claim to be an expert, but I do know more about the subject than the average Joe.

Great. You know a lot about rape. This thread isn’t about rape. It’s about video games that contain fictional depictions of rape. So I ask again, how much do you know about video games? Because I don’t think your expertise is at all relevant to the topic at hand, except insofar as it explains your prejudices.

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**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videogame-combos-thread-deletion/307204/71 "2005-06-08T10:30:23Z")

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> [@Bryan Ekers](#):
>
> What _isn’t_ the problem with proving a negative?

There is no problem with proving a negative. It is easy, for example, to prove that no equilateral triangle is a right triangle.

But honestly, a cursory glance at the statement, “You cannot prove a negative,” reveals that it is absurd on its face. It is itself a negative assertion. If it cannot be proved, why state it?

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**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videogame-combos-thread-deletion/307204/72 "2005-06-08T10:59:00Z")

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> [@Liberal](#):
>
> There is no problem with proving a negative. It is easy, for example, to prove that no equilateral triangle is a right triangle.
> 
> But honestly, a cursory glance at the statement, “You cannot prove a negative,” reveals that it is absurd on its face. It is itself a negative assertion. If it cannot be proved, why state it?

Well, I was mostly just kidding, but you have a valid point that “you cannot prove a negative” is a statement of questionable accuracy, since it is fairly easy to find counterexamples where a negative is, in fact, proven. It all depends on how the premise is stated.

In formal proofs, though, the “null hypothesis” is the one with the equals sign (i.e. H[sub]0[/sub]: X = 10) and it is this hypothesis which is tested and either rejected or not rejected. More casually, it may be easy to test if Santa Claus lives in Havana (just find his address) but impossible (or at least highly impractical) to prove he _doesn’t_ live in Havana.

Anyway, I’m sure none of this is new to you.

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**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videogame-combos-thread-deletion/307204/73 "2005-06-08T11:04:44Z")

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Right. The problem is not whether a proposition is stated positively or negatively. After all, reductio ad absurdum — presuming the negation of your hypothesis, and then proving that hypothesis false — is a time honored methoc of proof in first order logic. The problem is one of scope: you cannot, for example, prove that there is no unicorn anywhere in the universe simply because you cannot examine the whole universe.

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**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videogame-combos-thread-deletion/307204/74 "2005-06-08T15:50:53Z")

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> [@rjung](#):
>
> Since I _didn’t_ accuse you of making any such statements in my original post, I think you’re trying to ask me to prove a negative.

Oh, I get it. You know what? Now that I think about it, I notice that I’ve never seen you specifically condemn the practice some California men have of butt fucking little boys. Frankly I’m shocked at your liberal permissiveness and at the disgusting behaviors that apparently have your tacit support.  
Weasel.

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**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videogame-combos-thread-deletion/307204/75 "2005-06-08T16:26:27Z")

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> [@Ferret Herder](#):
>
> Frankly, the incidences of rape in American videogames (I ain’t touching the subject of Japanese entertainment, that’s a whole other thing entirely) are pretty damned low, it looks like. Rape in modern novels, even literature, seems far more prevalent. I think the OP of the other thread at the very least phrased it oddly, but hell, it seems like a ton of trouble to go through (sometimes) hours of playing through a videogame just to get to a point where you can press a couple buttons and violate some pixels with some other pixels, compared to how easy it is to pop in a videotape and watch Jodie Foster get violated in The Accused, for instance - much less the mess of porn/anime/whatever out there that’ll float someone’s boat.

This needs to be said again and maybe a third time later on if this idiotic thread keeps raging.

I don’t know a whole lot about rape but I do know about video games (see my sig) and I can say that to the best of my knowledge there are no games that use rape as a gameplay sequence. Some games might feature a rape in a pre-rendered movie scene that **the player has no control over**.

There are no button combinations.

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**Author:** ![Dob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Dob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dob)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videogame-combos-thread-deletion/307204/76 "2005-06-08T17:09:20Z")

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Anyone else find it odd that PunditLisa can post links that give details on rape, and the people that commit them, but nobody can post button combos for rape in a video game??

The logic confounds me…

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**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videogame-combos-thread-deletion/307204/77 "2005-06-08T17:51:42Z")

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> [@Justin\_Bailey](#):
>
> This needs to be said again and maybe a third time later on if this idiotic thread keeps raging.
> 
> I don’t know a whole lot about rape but I do know about video games (see my sig) and I can say that to the best of my knowledge there are no games that use rape as a gameplay sequence. Some games might feature a rape in a pre-rendered movie scene that **the player has no control over**.
> 
> There are no button combinations.

Hey, I started this “idiotic” thread! 😉

But, yes, you’re right, there’s aren’t any rape button combos. There are precious few mainstream games with gameplay moments that involve **consensual** sex. The closest thing I can think of is the “rocking vase” mini-game in \*\*God of War \*\* that implies your character is going at it offscreen. Even the sex in **Grand Theft Auto** isn’t something you play through, it’s just a rocking car animation you trigger.

(I suspect if you were to dig deeply enough into the obscure world of Japanese hentai games you could find something. But Japanese hentai games have about the same relationship to mainstream videogames as Turkish porn has to Hollywood movies.)

My main reason for starting this thread is that as a professional game developer I don’t like seeing videogames held to a different standard of decency than other forms of entertainment. If discussions of fictional depictions of rape are off-limits … fine. But that restriction should apply across the board.

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**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videogame-combos-thread-deletion/307204/78 "2005-06-08T18:54:10Z")

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Sorry **Pochacco** , my idiotic thread comment wasn’t a charge against you, it was for where the thread went.

If I wasn’t so pissed I’d find it amusing that there are actually people in the world that think there are “special button combinations” to perform rape action in a game.

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**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videogame-combos-thread-deletion/307204/79 "2005-06-08T19:45:07Z")

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> [@Weirddave](#):
>
> Now that I think about it, I notice that I’ve never seen you specifically condemn the practice some California men have of butt fucking little boys.

Since this is already illegal under various state and federal laws, I don’t see why I need to specifically condemn it.

Poor **Weirddave,** still trying to play in the MLB with a whiffle bat… 😉

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**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/videogame-combos-thread-deletion/307204/80 "2005-06-08T19:55:37Z")

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> [@rjung](#):
>
> Since this is already illegal under various state and federal laws, I don’t see why I need to specifically condemn it.
> 
> Poor **Weirddave,** still trying to play in the MLB with a whiffle bat… 😉

You don’t need more than a whiffle bat to swat a gnat.

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