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Cooking Mama, The Unauthorized PETA Edition: Mama Kills Animals | PETA.org

November 26th, 2008 (Visited 3169 times) Tags: serious games

Cooking Mama, The Unauthorized PETA Edition: Mama Kills Animals | PETA.org.

Given my kids’ reaction to it (glee), I am not sure that it will actually accomplish its purpose, but it is interesting to see games used as advocacy this way.

Although, once you get to the point that the eggs are bleeding, maybe it’s more accurate to call it propaganda.

Play it:

Play the full size version on PETA.org.

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23 Responses to “Cooking Mama, The Unauthorized PETA Edition: Mama Kills Animals | PETA.org”

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Audience Effects | Kill Ten Rats wrote on February 4th, 2009 at 10:02 pm:

[...] examples would you cite as misaimed fandom in gaming? PETA’s Thanksgiving Cooking Mama parody was meant to make you sick, but children enjoyed its gooey, over-the-top violence. Other games have [...]

Reader Comments

Amaranthar said on November 26th, 2008 at 12:52 pm:
Yeah, I always thought the WKRP option was better, where turkeys are thrown from a helicopter to hit the ground like wet sacks of cement.
cliff said on November 26th, 2008 at 1:39 pm:
I grew up in Barrow, Alaska. One year, they actually did decide to release the official Turkey by throwing him from a helicopter. The folks in charge had lived there their entire lives and didn’t know turkeys couldn’t fly.

To be fair, it seems like it would’ve been obvious that the turkey couldn’t survive the temperature anyway, but the government of small villages on the North Slope of Alaska tend to make other Alaskan politicians look pretty bright.
Morgan Ramsay said on November 26th, 2008 at 4:14 pm:
*sigh* I have to reinstall the Flash “mute” addon.

Anyway, that’s funny that you posted this while I was reading Majesco’s press release.
Michael Chui said on November 26th, 2008 at 4:56 pm:
I feel so sorry for PETA.
Inkling said on November 27th, 2008 at 2:40 pm:
I love that the eggs bleed red blood when you crack them.
Bret said on November 28th, 2008 at 12:52 pm:
I think I disagree that this is ‘games as advocacy’, as there isn’t anything fun about the individual actions involved. I’d call this an interactive satire, and may I also add, not as good as the McDonald’s Game.
Michelle D'israeli said on November 28th, 2008 at 6:49 pm:
Bret:

Having not played the original Cooking Mama games, could you explain how this differs, if you feel that it does? I would be interested to learn!

As someone who has looked at serious games, I would argue that the ‘fun’ you refer to (*) is not essential for the definition of ‘game’. Indeed, were the advocacy the game intends requires it, the game should in fact be the complete opposite of this ‘fun’. In the case of viral marketing, however, that isn’t such a good idea, of course

(*) I really need to save a link to the eight types of fun list
Matthew said on November 29th, 2008 at 12:59 am:
Seriously? Until I got to the end, I actually thought this was somebody’s stab at PETA–a joke. Its pretty sad when an organization like PETA satirizes themselves unintentionally.
Michael Chui said on November 29th, 2008 at 2:28 am:
I think I disagree that this is ‘games as advocacy’, as there isn’t anything fun about the individual actions involved.

I think you missed the part where Raph pointed out his kids were gleeful at their… actions.
Morgan Ramsay said on November 29th, 2008 at 5:25 am:
Michael Chui:

I think you missed the part where Raph pointed out his kids were gleeful at their… actions.

I played Halo with those two. Not only did they make me feel like they were letting me win, but… I think they enjoyed blowing themselves up most. *grin*
Charles said on November 29th, 2008 at 9:09 am:
lol @ bleeding eggs. Because eating eggs murder. Yeah. Now then, let’s all get back to that pro-choice rally down the street.
Amaranthar said on November 29th, 2008 at 12:52 pm:
Bob Evans never actually cracked an egg in his life. He was, like, the ring leader.
Bissrok said on December 2nd, 2008 at 5:13 am:
Ya know, I think I’d still rather have the bloody turkey with veins leakin’ out of its neck than tofu.
Wow said on December 2nd, 2008 at 5:51 am:
Yukon Sam said on December 2nd, 2008 at 7:36 am:
Because eating eggs murder.

It’s not the sanctity of the egg that’s in question, it’s the treatment of the hens that amounts to torture.

I didn’t find anything about the game compelling enough to do more than poke at it. The undercover footage of brutal, filthy and illegal conditions inside “factory farms” and processing plants is much more compelling. Upton Sinclair is spinning in his grave.
Devon said on December 3rd, 2008 at 4:15 pm:
I played it all the way to the end. I actually appreciated the final bonus round, where you get to make a tofu turkey. Maybe I’ll try to make one next Thanksgiving. Do they make big stainless steel turkey molds? This holiday I made a fifteen pound bird and then found out my mother had gone full vegan. I just finished off the damn thing yesterday.
Rik said on December 4th, 2008 at 2:40 am:
It’s not the sanctity of the egg that’s in question, it’s the treatment of the hens ….

Eh, for PETA it’s not really about animals, it’s about the publicity stunt. In an MMO these people would all be labeled as griefers. It’s like they found a way to break the rules inside of the rules, and now they want to live in that happy spot. “Wait, I can splash red die on people, ruining hundreds of dollars of clothing, and people will think it’s a noble thing if I shout “Fur Is Murder” when I do it? Where do I sign?“
Yukon Sam said on December 4th, 2008 at 7:14 am:
Rik, do you know anybody who would let themselves be arrested and prosecuted in exchange for quick giggle? You’ve got it exactly backwards; the stunts are just a way to put a spotlight on the issues, since the media is not exactly proactive about discussing the ethical dimension of animal abuse. Griefers are griefers because they know they can indulge their behavior without consequence. Activists are activists because they’re willing to accept those consequences (up to and including jail time, beatings, and abuse) in order to make a statement.

Of course, I don’t support ruining hundreds of dollars of clothing to make a statement. If that’s the case, you’re aiming too low. Pick a target on whom you can ruin THOUSANDS of dollars of clothing.

I think the game is a failure as a game. But as a tool to raise awareness and provoke discussion of the issues? Well, here we are talking about it. Score one for PETA.
Michael Chui said on December 4th, 2008 at 10:12 am:
PETA: the MMO.

I can’t wait.
Charles said on December 4th, 2008 at 11:03 am:
If you play through the ‘game,’ Yukon Sam, you will get to a part where you need to crack open eggs (presumably to create a rub to put on the turkey), and when you do, the eggs bleed red blood. PETA is against any and all ‘use’ of animals (they essentially promote a vegans+ agenda), and their message is not limited to just avoiding mistreatment and abuse of animals.
Yukon Sam said on December 4th, 2008 at 2:53 pm:
I’m going to throw up my hands before I get too firmly cast as the resident PETA apologist. I’m wearing a leather belt and shoes, I’m likely having beef for dinner, and I currently have enslaved four cats and two dogs for my personal amusement.

I sympathize with PETA to the extent that they strive for more humane treatment of animals. While I have an admiration for people who try to live up to their convictions, I don’t embrace their entire philosophy or condone any illegal action (except in the particular case of civil disobedience, given that the participants understand and agree to accept ALL the consequences of their actions, including compensation for anybody caught in the crossfire).

But I do believe that this game succeeds in its goal, which isn’t entertainment, education or even propoganda. It garners coverage (hence this blog entry). It sparks discussion and debate. It provokes thought.

And we’re the proof.
Michael Chui said on December 4th, 2008 at 8:22 pm:
Yes, Sam. This game definitely succeeds at getting us to discuss PETA. I still have no idea what the actual issues they’re trying to get at are.

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