The Killer
A small notgame inspired by the thousands of senseless killings committed in Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge regime. Requires no gaming skills whatsoever. Takes about three minutes to play through, though the length varies, and the experience is never quite the same for any two people.
Wow!
Wow!
Amazing
This just might be one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen on the internet. Fantastic work.
Tears and chills
Thank you for this experience
It was beautiful
Cambodia game, the Killer.
To the Creator(s) of the game,
I was linked to this game via a post on Giantbomb.com relating to emotional experiences in games. the writer talks about how they felt after completing a mission in Rockstars newest IP, L.A. Noire. He mentioned that despite what he knew as the player, he was forced to make a decision that he knew would result in a “loss” for the mission, but that there was no real penalty other than that emotional ‘Ahhh shucks’ feeling. After expressing that emotional ties are not very strong in gaming, and that he would like to see more of it, he referred to ‘The Killer’ as an example of creating and pulling emotion out of the player. I feel that although you were attempting to inform people about a serious problem, you were also able to very quickly pull the player into the game and set a very strong emotional grab from the very beginning of the game with the music, as well as the simple command of ‘press space to walk forward’. giving the player only once choice, that was obviously the wrong one, as well as the music that also set a strong mood, i almost wanted to just quit playing because I didn’t want to kill that person i was escorting to the fields. I was very startled by the explosion of the land mine, but at the same time relieved that the horrible person that was going to be preforming the execution was killed, and saddened by the fact that the victim, was still killed in the end. I apologize for the long introduction, but i do have to say that despite the simplicity of the game, you and/or your team did a fantastic job completing what it was that you set out to do.
For this I applaud you, and i thank you for making me aware of such a serious issue going on in Cambodia.
Matthew Cox
Fucking brilliant.
Fucking brilliant.
Not so much a game as
Not so much a game as interactive art. Brilliant concept. At first I tried resisting walking to the fields, but eventually I realised I had to get there. Then I tried to –– and it worked! Just brilliant.
Damn.
Damn. That’s about all I can say. More moving than alot of games I’ve played recently. Will write a post on this on my blog soon. (Address above). Something everyone should try at least once.
This is why...
I wish to devote my life to helping others, and yes, in this flash game I let him run free. I would have done the same if put in that position in real life. This is a sad reality, that should not ever be repeated. A true travesty…
more relevant musical choice?
felt it needed a much better soundtrack. the fact of the killing fields seemed kind of cheapened by “I broke up with my girlfriend” tunes. the soundtrack seems pretty important, as there are only a few elements to the “nongame.” are there any musics more relevant to the region? songs that the people themselves have made about this history?
cool project.
Hi Scott. Just wanted to let
Hi Scott. Just wanted to let you know that you can now choose whether to play The Killer with the original soundtrack, or with ambient sounds. I’d love to know what you think of the ambient version, if you get a chance to check it out.
Thank you for the feedback
Thank you for the feedback Scott. The music is something that I have actually thought about long and hard. That is not to say that I made the right choice. My natural inclination for a piece like this would, indeed, be to use something from Cambodia itself. Interestingly, it was while listening to Jónsi’s “Tornado” (while in Cambodia) that the idea for this notgame came to me, which is ultimately the reason I ended up using the song. Whether or not it was a good choice for this project, I think it is a powerful song that says a lot more than “I broke up with my girlfriend” (but perhaps that’s just me).
I searched for some music from Cambodia that I found as compelling as “Tornado,” but wasn’t able to find it in the limited time I had left in the country. The sheer distance in space and culture between Cambodia and Iceland continued to bother me, but ultimately I came back to the fact that the gametrekking project, for me, is about expressing something of my own subjective experience of traveling and learning about new places. And it just so happened that I was listening to Icelandic music while in Cambodia, and that said music somehow managed to capture the mood of my Cambodian experience for me. Which I think in turn captures something of the reality of travel in the twenty-first century. That is why I used the piece.
But like I said at the outset, it may still very well have been the wrong choice. My explanation here is not intended to be an excuse, but merely an explanation. I do appreciate the honest criticism.
The Killer
It took me all of two seconds to realize that I was a white man pointing a gun at a black man and forcing them to march. At first I thought It was a period piece about bringing a slave back to his master in 1800’s America. I tried to stop moving a couple of times, but that seemed pointless. I got to the end and it told me to point and shoot. Thinking what I thought earlier I fired the gun into the air hoping I could set the slave free. To my surprise it let me.
Then I got the narration. I guess I died, but at least it was for a worthy cause. Thanks for making this.
Indeed...
I had a similar experience.
Glad to know you did not choose to blindly follow orders!
It was a very touching game.
It was a very touching game. Good job.
Keep experimenting. I didn’t
Keep experimenting. I didn’t think it was fun or enriched my life in any way. It was pretty boring to be honest. i felt no connection between the characters, although i liked the poke in the back when the soldier catches up. I purposely missed the target to test what would happen.
Thank you
Keep on making trekking games.
chilling
brings it home!
Awesome little game/art
Awesome little game/art project. quite provocative and makes you think. We really need to see more non-traditional uses of the game medium like this one.
I loved this. Thank you for
I loved this. Thank you for making this tangible.
Good notgame- I think that if
Good notgame- I think that if the soundtrack was cut, and maybe replaced with ambient sounds/something low key, the experience would be more profound. As is, the soundtrack is detracting from any true emotional reactions I’m having playing by obnoxiously beating it into my head that I should be sad. It’s like telling a person their puppy died and then holding a sign to their face that says “YOU ARE FEELING SAD.”
Hi M. Just wanted to let you
Hi M. Just wanted to let you know that you can now choose whether to play The Killer with the original soundtrack, or with ambient sounds. I’d love to know what you think of the ambient version, if you get a chance to check it out.
Sorry for the beating M. I’m
Sorry for the beating M. I’m afraid I’m not able to tackle this question with any kind of objectivity, as I so love Jónsi’s “Tornado,” and it was while listening to it during my travels in Cambodia that the idea of this notgame came to me… the two entities are tied up in my mind. I sympathize with your reaction, though, and it’s something I will certainly take into consideration. I’ve been thinking of making an ambient version of The Killer for a while, and this may be just the spur that I need…
Thank you for your feedback.
Beautiful
So beatiful and moving. I thought i was going to shoot him. But im glad my choice was to shoot in the air. I think it’s sad that the first thing i thought was “ok, im going to shoot him” because thats what alot of todays game are all about. But even though i’ve played them all, i still dont want to shoot someone. That makes me glad.
Your game sucks
Your game sucks. Badly.
RE: The Killer
I just finished “playing” The Killer and I feel compelled to say “Bravo” to you. For something so deceivingly simple I found it incredibly thoughtful and very, very moving.
I’m actually finding myself at a loss for words, so I’ll just leave it at this, great job, this experience will no doubt be sticking in my mind for awhile.
- BJ Worden
Awesome effort, great
Awesome effort, great animation, lovely lighting colour temperature changes(I’m a stage lighting business owner/lighting designer so take it as a compliment!).
I think this would be a great resource for history students… get a closer grasp of what occured.
that was a great game. i like
that was a great game. i like the story line.
i just couldnt kill the character
cambodia
the genocide in cambodia is one of the most unexplainable events and a shame in the whole human history. what is more horryfying is that the people who were behind this massacre, not only were never punished for what they did, but also later led a good and prosperous life (except pol pot). what is the worst, is that it all started because of the ignorance and stupidity. thank you for your “game”, and for telling people the things they should know. i can only hope that such atrocities will never repeat again.
This was a very good ummm…
This was a very good ummm… experimental experience.
Excellent work, and kudos for taking it upon yourself to raise awareness about this.
I’m not sure how I feel about
I’m not sure how I feel about this. I feel outraged that the Killing Fields happened. Your not-game caused me to “remember” something I know happened, but don’t think about. I feel like I’d like to learn more about it (though it’s awful and who wants to know or think about these things). Given that I am constantly thinking about how to bring peace into the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, this makes me think further about evil in human nature, peoples’ inhumanity to other people, what is the cause, how can we stop it, what’s wrong with the world, all kinds of thoughts. All evoked by this “simple” not-game.
I love the music.
The walk seemed “long.” Which I think is good, part of the point.
wow
Dude that was moving. I’m not what most people would call a nice guy but still that was cool for you to make this. And by the way, what was that song, I think I’ve heard it before but I can’t remember the name.
Sincerely,
Forrest O’Reilly
Thank you Forrest. The song
Thank you Forrest. The song is “Tornado” from Jónsi’s Go Album.
job well done
Very inspirational game. We need mre people like you, who get involved and stand for their beliafs, regardless of consequence. please keep up the good work.
wow
brillaint - everyone needs to get the same shock i did.
stay strong cambodia
Thanks
for wasting my time
Thanks
Thank you for this short but powerful insight it’s sad, it is the truth and it hurts and even thou this was just an explanation of what happened and what happens it felt so emotional that shooting wasn’t an option thanks a lot and keep up the good work, this should go big on every news channel and schools around the world
eye opening
All I have to really say about the game is that it’s “eye opening” in western society we hear of ONE person dying and its so intense for us to see or hear. We think to ourselves wow i can’t believe this happens here of all places. (not saying that one person dying isnt a big deal) but then we watch a program (cnn) or play a game like this and are showed a small glimpse of history we are floored to know things like this happens in the world.Something I noticed, when a celebrity dies cnn is all over it but mean while on the buttom of the screen it will show for 2 seconds “300 people dead in (location) yesturday” and we dont even blink an eye. Anyway im rambling on good game and great message behind it.
Jolting.
I at first thought that “The Killer” would be a thorough game, filled with choices and options. After some time, I could not let go out the spacebar key. The music fit perfectly and it’s great for lulling a first-time players such as myself. The explosion shook me completely and I knew what was coming next. Just seeing the bodies left me reeling. I tried not to cry since my sister was in the room. I applaud you and the others who are working to get the message out. There are many of us out here who will support and are supporting your cause.
Thank you and good luck.
It puts me in a whole different dimension
Puts us in a different dimension where we experience the pain and suffering of the cambodian people back in the days. Countless people buried in the soil,executions,starvation and torture.
But the game wasn’t very amusing,but I wouldn’t really call it a game,It would be more possibly a presentation.
amazing
this is emotionally moving. i never felt like crying from an on line game. your work is beautiful. keep up the amazing work
my god =S
worst f__ing game ever . we know about the history of colomiba . tnx 4 wasting my time .
You might as well desecrate
You might as well desecrate all documentary movies and history books then. Games are just for playing. They’re another medium for story-telling and getting a message out. At least acknowledge the time and energy that was put into this. Or at least criticize it with some politeness.
Why should I be hated for my mercy?
I can understand that the general dies from showing mercy, you know his soldiers don’t like that apparently. Then why make it sound like being merciful to the innocent is a bad thing? You created the games ending so I would not expect a reward, but at least a glimmer of hope, so to that I ask you one thing. Why make a game that is self defeating? A game is to enjoy and to learn, the only thing I learned was a recent history lesson that made me wonder why mercy would help gain friends, not enemies.
I didn’t shoot.
I didn’t shoot.
*Like*
*Like*
Beautiful game… the build up
Beautiful game… the build up pulls the person into the situation and then puts them on the spot, forcing them to mindlessly pull the trigger or ask why they are doing this.
Killing fields
Amazing game! I went to Cambodia a couple of years ago, they’re an amazing people…
Wonderful.
Erhmhm.
Yeah, um… I wouldn’t have been able to carry out my duties as a soldier in Cambodia during this time, so I would be killed along with “the rest”.
But at least I would know that I died doing the right thing.
The Killer
Hi Jordan,
This is the first time I have ever played a “Nongame.” I am very interested and look forward to following more closely, as I am returning to the high school classroom next year. I am a MAC user and was not able to press space to get more info or X to leave feedback. Not sure if it was me or the game. Anyway, much luck on this adventure!
Blessings,
Matt in Ljubljana
Thanks Matt! The links not
Thanks Matt! The links not opening is up to your browser… there should have been some sort of indication that Firefox or Safari (or whatever you use) was preventing a popup, which you could then override… fyi the comment link comes to this form, and the learn more link goes to my Cambodia reflection.