A Communist Space Shooter

January 11, 2010 1:06 PM

Kosmosis is based on the idea that the modern shooter is rooted in the capitalist military-industrial complex. Created by Molleindustria (behind Oligarchy and much more) it reinvents the idea of the shooter along Communist lines. The game play is based on three principles: Thesis I: The task of the vanguard is to instill revolutionary class consciousness in the intergalatic proletariat. Thesis II: The people united will never be defeated. Thesis III: The role of the vanguard will diminish as the educated masses gain autonomy. All with little glowing dots.

More metagaming fun, many mentioned before: In the surprisingly compelling Upgrade Complete, you need to purchase everything in the game, including the menu screen and loading bar (review). In the similarly addictive Achievement Unlocked, the goal is to get all the achievement (my favorite: "Total Confusion"). Want more meta-gaming goodness: Turn Based Battle takes on JRPGs, and, of course, there is the grandfather of them all, Progress Quest.

posted by blahblahblah (16 comments total)

Why does my work's browser filter ban Molleindustria's site for "Sex: Adult material"?
posted by rtimmel at 1:13 PM on January 11, 2010

I won, but I'm not sure how.
posted by kenko at 1:17 PM on January 11, 2010

Thesis I: The task of the [original zombie] is to instill [zombiness] in the intergalatic [zombie-fodder].
Thesis II: The [zombies] united will never be defeated.
Thesis III: The role of the [original zombie] will diminish as the [zombified masses] [rampage].
posted by logicpunk at 1:18 PM on January 11, 2010 [6 favorites]

rtimmel: among their games, they have some on touchy subjects: the priest pedophilia scandal and gay rights among others. Kosmosis is definitely work-safe (except at the John Birch Society), but some of their other games may not be.
posted by blahblahblah at 1:22 PM on January 11, 2010

A specter is haunting gaming...
posted by googly at 1:27 PM on January 11, 2010 [1 favorite]

In Soviet Russia, noob pwns you!
posted by Joe Beese at 1:31 PM on January 11, 2010 [2 favorites]

Hegemonising swarm.
posted by Artw at 1:32 PM on January 11, 2010

Why does my work's browser filter ban Molleindustria's site for "Sex: Adult material"?

Steam punk net filter hitting 'Moll' as a name for prostitutes? Probably bans flappers too, the fascists.
posted by anti social order at 1:39 PM on January 11, 2010 [3 favorites]

There is no way to shoot the little red or green dots. I don't understand it at all.
posted by storybored at 1:44 PM on January 11, 2010

Hegemony and intergalactic dot strategy.
posted by daniel_charms at 1:46 PM on January 11, 2010

This week on Bill O'Reilly: Kosmosis -- the biggest video game threat to the American Way of Life since Grand Theft Auto III!

This week on Glenn Beck: Is Kosmosis Obama's new plan to convert America's children to socialism?
posted by Saxon Kane at 1:47 PM on January 11, 2010 [1 favorite]

The reactionary war machines seem pretty benign and passive.
posted by Reverend John at 2:27 PM on January 11, 2010

The reactionary war machines seem pretty benign and passive.

That's because they've outlived their time. Their backwardness reflects in their (non)reaction to your actions. The real fight - the only fight left now - is for the hearts and minds of the small dots.
posted by daniel_charms at 2:37 PM on January 11, 2010 [5 favorites]

Thesis III: The role of the vanguard will diminish as the educated masses gain autonomy. But the idiot proles keep impaling themselves on the imperialist war machines. Makes me wish for a "Stalinist Purge" button.

Plus discussion of Metagaming games is incomplete without a mention of You Have To Burn The Rope (qv.). Clearly you are a counter-revolutionary lackey of the international capitalist running dogs. To the salt mines with you!
posted by Electric Dragon at 3:33 PM on January 11, 2010 [1 favorite]

> Makes me wish for a "Stalinist Purge" button.

You know, Stalin's USSR was a hideous place to live but I suddenly realize it would make for a terrific game. Each time you get to the next level (as your former allies and colleagues are wiped out), you have to negotiate a new set of alliances that will permit you to survive the next purge. Final level: a cage match with Uncle Joe himself... as German troops are crossing the border!
posted by languagehat at 5:15 PM on January 11, 2010 [7 favorites]

languagehat, I hear the re-education interstitials are amazing.
posted by dhartung at 11:36 PM on January 11, 2010