The Shadow Complex boycott didn't work

A boycott of Epic's Xbox LIVE Arcade game Shadow Complex doesn't look like it worked.

Controversy arose when it was pointed out that the story of Epic Games' latest Xbox 360 video game, Shadow Complex, was based on a world co-created by Orson Scott Card.

Card is part of the National Organisation for Marriage: founded in 2007 to act as an organised opposion against same-sex marriage. Card has personally campaigned against gay marriage, which he believes would mark an end to democracy. He further argues that homosexuality is a dysfunction.

Shadow Complex is a game developed by Epic Games and Chair Entertainment, and includes a universe that was embellished by Card. The game is a prequel to Empire, a game currently in development.

The problem is that by buying Shadow Complex, you'd be stuffing Card's pockets with money. This fact resulted in a boycott of sorts.

I personally don't believe in the boycott, for a number of reasons. Shadow Complex is made by many talented and passionate individuals who arguably had more to do with the game than Card.

The game itself was written by Peter David; a comic book writer who has often included gay characters in his work. Moreover, Shadow Complex doesn't suggest any political views against gay marriage.

Whatever the case, it looks like the boycott didn't work. Following rave reviews, Shadow Complex has romped to the top of the most played Xbox LIVE Arcade titles, even entering the top ten of all Xbox 360 games played online.

Patrick Steen

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Top Arcade Titles (Full Versions purchased)

1. Shadow Complex

2. Trials HD

3. Battlefield 1943

4. Marvel vs. Capcom 2

5. Turtles in Time Re-Shelled

6. Splosion Man

7. Castle Crashers

8. Worms 2: Armageddon

9. Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers

10. UNO

Xbox 360 Top LIVE Titles

1. Call of Duty: World at War

2. Halo 3

3. Call of Duty 4

4. Gears of War 2

5. Madden NFL 10

6. Lost Planet 2 Co-op Demo

7. Gran Theft Auto IV

8. Shadow Complex

9. Trials HD

10. FIFA 09