And now for something completely different.

Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator is exactly what it sounds like.

There probably aren't many people who will see that title and think it's the game they've been waiting their whole life to play.

Or even who could stomach playing it.

It's also a challenge to write about and likely not a title we'll revisit.

But challenge is good, right?

The game includes a mature content warning.

The information is in the title. There are slickened, detached meat products derived from alien and human bodies, and you sure do buy and sell them. Occasionally, you trade these organs for dubious purposes, like ensuring a distant frog emperor never has to stop partying due to the batch of extra livers you just sent over.

All material is handled tastefully, so if a stylized, pre-rendered heart beating against a green-gridded background is not an uncomfortable image, the rest of the game should not present cause for alarm.

Non-stop partying frog emperor?

The Real Illegal Organ Trade

It's big - estimated to generate profits of $600 million to $1.2 billion (US) per year - and growing.

Australia doesn't appear to be a hotspot and Wikipedia only mentions us as having recently legalized government compensation for organ donation - 9 weeks paid leave at minimum wage - which is supported by kidney disease organisations.

The full entry is slightly terrifying to read.

Interestingly and of relevance here, it includes a section on media portrayal which suggests that a sensationalised and inaccurate portrayal of the organ trade in popular media is a hindrance and distraction.

What would they make of this game?

What do gamers?

Bravely we delved into its Steam discussion area.

One Steam user asks:

Dog Organs? Organs for Dogs and other pets?

Developer reply:

Dogs want organs for generally wholesome reasons in this game - but *their* organs remain perfectly safe!

I don't know if that assuages any concerns or just raises more.

Steam user:

Good.

Is this genuine regard for animal welfare? Could the game be intended as a darkly ironic commentary on human consumption of meat, as well as the organ trade? Think about that partying frog-emperor.

Or is it just acknowledgement that violence against pet animals in games isn't appreciated?

Criminality in Gaming

Grand Theft Auto V is currently the second highest selling game of all time with 155 million copies sold.

It's one we claimed as an Epic Games weekly giveaway freebie.

Being aware of its popularity but not especially enticed by the title, we researched a bit.

Definitely not to our tastes and it's interesting that it clearly is to many others.

Admittedly many games are essentially wall to wall murder sprees with swords and magic or futuristic weapons, though that's typically in the context of necessity.

GTA 5 is something else. But very popular.

Maybe there's also a big market for Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator, which is due to release on PC (Steam) and Xbox on December 8.

[ Main Image: Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator. Credit: Strange Scaffold via Steam. ]

References

Strange Scaffold. Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator. Steam. (viewed December 6, 2021)

Strange Scaffold. Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator. Xbox Games Store. (viewed December 6, 2021)

Wikipedia. Organ Trade. (viewed December 6, 2021)