There's no doubting the dev's intentions are true. However, certain individuals (me included) just feel there are other ways to raise money than to put out an App like this at a time like this. How about starting a TouchArcade fundraiser thread, asking for donations? I don't know about anyone else, but I do feel it could help raise much more money than the sales of this App could.
Will this game be available in the Japan iTunes store? I want my friend over there who lost his wife and kids to this tragic event to be able to download this on his iphone and play it so he's constantly reminded of the tragic event that ruined his life forever. The above comment sounds as douchebag to me as the thought of this game being made. You should be ashamed of yourselves. There's already Japan relief set up by the Red Cross in the iTunes store. That wasn't good enough for you? What's your next game going to be 9/11 Tower Rescue?
I'm not in the habit of calling people "classless jerks", so this was a bit out of character for me. The recent media reporting of public figures making light of this terrible tragedy had me worked up and predisposed me to immediately coloring my opinion as I read the title of the game "Japan Rescue" as trivializing the plight of the Japanese. So much so, that even the mention of the dev's plans to donate funds in his post were covered in a sea of red. It wasn't until I read DusT Hounds (expertly worded and aptly handled) comment that I saw the honorable intentions of the dev. I'd like to offer an apology to the dev for my remarks and wish him the very best in his efforts. (As a point of consideration and has been previously recommended, perhaps a name change would divert any future knee-jerk reactions like mine)
This is nearly the same case now as "Six Days in Fallujah" If you don´t know the discussion around it, google it! It´s not that games should not be allowed to have topics of actual wars or crisis that they want to make more understandable to the gamers, somehow. Heck, Games NEED to grow up as art and face their responsibility towards social and political issues and crisis. watch this video and you´ll understand: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/extra-credits/2414-Facing-Controversy BUT both games made the failure to directly name the situation they are meant to convey or portrait or to ease. Like with "Six Days", many families who left their loved ones there felt offended by the name alone. Even while the game was developed with soldiers that have been there and wanted it to be that way. I talked to my Japanese wife and she thinks the "direct in the face"-title of your game will offend many Japanese people, because they are reminded that they could not save their family or relatives, that where killed by the tsunami. At least she can speak for some of her friends. Some of them actually lost relatives in Sendai. So my suggestion is: just change the title. It is highly likely to offend lots of Japanese people. These are just our two opinions, true. I don´t have a problem with a game about rescuing people. Greetings from Tokyo,
We agree that a fundraiser is less confronting than a game in which you're saving people in Japan. Our personal view, however, is that people are more willing to give if they get something in return. In this case, you get a fun game and save people, both virtually and in real life. If someone does not donate (for whatever reason) but does want to play this game and is willing to pay for it, more funds go to Japan. This game is not meant to be a replacement for donations. It is an addition to them.
Been done. What's the problem with that anyway? Don't you want people to be rescued from the towers? Oh, and it really has been long enough. Shut up about it
Why do you need to raise awareness ? Its on every single news channel in the land, raising awareness with this app wont do much. The only press this game is getting is the controversial name/gameplay. All you need to do is release any game and just have that proceeds will be going to Japan, ipod game sites will pick this up and you get good PR. I've just never come across a game which is 'meant' to do something positive and its about some natural disaster. Bizarre.
By 'raising awareness' we meant awareness of the need for donations. People hear about Japan all day, but this does not mean they actually go to their computer and donate. Buying a game in the app store is a one-click action, stimulated by the promise of the game itself. This should make it very easy to support the people of Japan. Confronting games (and advertisements for that matter) on tragedies are of all times. Take this game by MTV Networks: http://www.darfurisdying.com/ In it, you need to avoid militia while trying to get water for your family. If you fail, you are killed. Seems a lot more confronting than saving people from houses to me.
I certainly think that it's the case that creating an app has the potential to raise a good amount, when compared to what one person individually could put in, unless they were rich. The Six Days in Fallujah controversy certainly is brought to mind here, although comparison isn't entirely fair, since that was intended to be made as a game, for sale, for profit, whereas the entire revenue from Japan Rescue is going to be put towards the relief effort. As the Coding Dutchmen stated, creating this app is just one way of fundraising, and sure, it's not meant to replace other mechanisms. Again, best of luck guys.
This topic did get my attention indeed, but I'm not quite convinced to support Japan this way. Actually a donation to the Red Cross would be a lot better, since they'd get the whole amount I'd donate, instead of only 70% left after Aplle takes its share. So, helping - sure, making someone richer in the process - not quite. Best of luck with your application.
I think the only opinion that matters in this thread is Dyscode's. He lives in Japan, his family is Japanese, and yes, he said people in Japan would be offended. All he suggest was change the name to like Water Rescue and not tie it to that one tragic event. There should not be a game about that 'event' anymore than a "Rescue Colombine' game. The game is not in bad taste, just dont tie it to a tragedy.
The whole point in giving people alternate ways to donate is that many of them just don't give to charity. The best method is offering as many incentives as possible. It makes humanity seem that little bit meaner, but it works.
I don't understand how this could be a bad choice of name. This isn't making fun of the situation in Japan and it isn't making it any less serious than what it really is. My guess is that the reason it appears to be a bad choice of name is just because it is so soon after the catastrophe that occurred. I would agree that this was disgusting if the developer were pocketing the money and was trying to cash in on a tragedy. Since all of the money is going to charity for the tsunami/earthquake relief, I believe this is a very good cause. You can help rescue people in the game, while you are actually helping them in the real world since the money you spend on the game goes to helping the people of Japan. I'll definitely purchase this game to help donate some money to Japan.
How many of YOU can say you have done something in aid of Japan? Probably virtually none. So before you question this man's charitable efforts actually contribute to help those in Japan instead of bitching on an internet forum.
I'm definitely on the side of the fence that doesn't quite see why the developer is getting lambasted for making this game in bad taste. The intentions were of the utmost goodness, and it isn't making light of the situation in my opinion, so I don't think anything should change right now. If all the proceeds are going to the Japan crisis, I don't see why we should be harping on the developer for making this game in terrible taste and whatnot. That's my opinion.
I could purchase this game, or I could just donate my money directly to Red Cross. I'm not saying the game is bad at all, but not all of your money is going to Japan since Apple takes a small slice of the pie.
This app may well have be made with good intentions. But the gameplay is in extremely bad taste. I'd suggest changing the game play to something related to Japan, but absolutely, completely and utterly disassociated with the tragic recent events. Japan has a vast wealth of history and culture. Finding a more suitable theme shouldn't be difficult. In fact, finding a less suitable theme would be challenging.
This sums it up perfectly. While I applaud the efforts I find that the name might be a little too real. There have been other video game fund raisers for charity and perhaps if Coding Dutchmen have other games they can set all those proceeds to charity (like other devs did and didn't make a new game up) or team up with some other developers to do the same (thinking something like Free App A Day or the like but keep them paid - a new app a day goes to charity) or something else that might work to reach your goal. Well considering most of the people here are teens they probably have not - you are right. Getting them to buy a game would be one way they can see a broader picture of the world. I think the view though is that there could have been a better way to do it - not questioning the efforts but questioning the decisions. Definitely could have been more tasteful ways. Not to mention unless this game gets in the top 10 or so I am not sure how much it will raise for their efforts of coding and publishing etc. I mean the first post says it - copies sold = 8 so far. And to be honest, sending a text message to the Red Cross relief would be just as effective because what quality is a game thrown together in a couple weeks like that - and get approved in that time as well. I know some really successful games have been put together in less than a day but still, from what little I have seen of these screenshots this isn't going to be one of them. The argument people won't donate unless they get something in return fails when you look at the quality of the game - people will get this I would think JUST to donate and to do that you have other ways to do it. But yes I have given directly through several sources actually. I guess since I am a bit older than a teen I have that means.
