It’s rare that I use Somebody Think of the Children to preempt outrage (rarer than me posting at all, sorry), but I expect we’ll hear more about this Google Maps Street View mashup that allows you to shoot an M4A1 assault rifle in a virtual street.
Pop in any address on the site where Google Street View is available you’ll be presented with a photo of the street and an assault rifle to shoot at will.
Screenshot from the 'Shoot' website.
Technically it’s a very basic concept, but it presents an irresistible opportunity for politicians, law enforcement and the media to ‘have a go’.
How long will it be before you see “Online Massacre Training” and “Shoot Up Your Neighbour’s House” splashed across Australian newspapers?
Update 1:58PM
Fairfax now has a story on ‘Shoot View’ and reports that Google has removed the game’s access to the Street View API — effectively disabling it from using Google Street View maps and images. A teaser video of the game remains hosted on Youtube.
2 comments
Bob says:
Dec 13, 2011
More info can be found here: http://youtu.be/Qh2sWSVRrmo
John says:
Dec 28, 2011
A provocative use of the images Google has provided, which I think is no accident. A point is being proven here methinks. My mobile has an 8 megapixel camera, I could garner better photographic info on a public street in a few minutes. This is an attepmt to stir discussion around streetview, a heated topic in parts of Europe, having said that, there is a world of opportunity for game developers…