Animals have a long history in video games, and continue to play
important parts in the most recent titles.  This week, we happened upon
an article detailing the story of a high school student offended by the
treatment of dogs in Call of Duty: World at War.  Her efforts to
petition Activision to change its ways got us thinking about how and
why games are criticized, as well as the larger role of animals in
games.  Although we have a bit of fun at the article's expense, it is a
useful tool for examining how people react to violent games, how
different forms of violence are interpreted, and how animals fit in to
the medium as whole.  As always, we love hearing your responses to both
the story and the podcast, so feel free to send us an email or jump in
on the comments!Some discussion starters:- What memorable animal appearances can you think of?  What role did the animals play in the game?-
While we were not exactly optimistic about Lucci's chances of getting
Activision's attention, her efforts raise a good point: how should
people display their disagreement with publishers and developers? 
Petitions?  Essays?  Response games (like the PETA example)?  Voting
with one's wallet?- To what degree does the incorporation of animals succeed in games, and how would you like to see it improved?To listen to the podcast:

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Show Notes: