Why was Death Race Banned?

Death Race, a 1976 arcade game, was banned due to its violent content, which involved killing humanoid figures, sparking a national controversy over violence in video games. The game’s controversial nature led to newspapers and civic organizations attacking it for facilitating violence in virtual form, making it a pioneer in the discussion of video game violence.

Introduction to Death Race

Death Race, originally titled Pedestrian, was released by Exidy in 1976 and became the first arcade game to spur a national controversy over violence in video games. The game’s simplicity, where a player navigated a white car across a black screen to run over white stick figures called “gremlins,” belied the depth of the controversy it generated.

The Controversy Surrounding Death Race

The controversy surrounding Death Race was not just about the game itself but about the broader implications of video game violence. It raised questions about the impact of virtual violence on real-life behavior, especially in children, and whether video games could desensitize players to violence.

FAQs About Death Race and Video Game Violence

General Questions

1. What is Death Race? – Death Race is a 1976 arcade game where players control a car to run over humanoid figures within a time limit.
2. Why was Death Race controversial? – It was controversial due to its violent content, involving the killing of humanoid figures, which sparked concerns over video game violence.
3. Is Death Race considered the first violent video game? – Yes, Death Race is often cited as the first controversial video game due to its violent content.

Historical Context

4. When was Death Race released? – Death Race was released in 1976 by Exidy.
5. What was the first famous arcade game? – The first commercial arcade game was Computer Space, released before Pong, which brought arcade gaming to a broader audience.
6. What sparked the age of gaming? – Space Invaders, released in 1978, is often credited with starting the golden age of video arcade games.

Related Games and Media

7. Is there a remake of Death Race? – Yes, Death Race was remade in 2008, and it spawned a series of films, including Death Race: Beyond Anarchy in 2018.
8. What is Death Race 2050? – Death Race 2050 is a 2017 sequel to the 1975 film Death Race 2000, serving as a political satire.
9. Is Death Race gory? – Yes, the Death Race films are known for their graphic violence and gore.

Impact and Legacy

10. What was the impact of Death Race on the video game industry? – Death Race contributed to the discussion on video game violence and its potential impact on society.
11. How does Death Race relate to other violent video games? – Death Race is often mentioned alongside other violent video games like Mortal Kombat, Grand Theft Auto, and God of War in discussions about video game violence.
12. Is Death Race banned? – While not entirely banned, Death Race faced significant backlash and controversy upon its release, leading to a reevaluation of video game content.

Other Questions

13. What is the first video game? – The first video game is often debated, but Tennis for Two, developed in 1958, is a strong candidate.
14. What came first, Tetris or Pac-Man? – Pac-Man was released in 1980, while Tetris was released in 1984.
15. What was the first arcade horror game? – Shark Jaws, released in 1975 by Atari, is considered one of the first horror arcade games.

Conclusion

Death Race, as a pioneer in video game controversy, has left a lasting impact on the video game industry and the discussion of video game violence. Understanding its history and the context in which it was released can provide valuable insights into the evolution of video games and the societal concerns they raise.