Cannibalism, a.k.a. The Long Pig

[Banestaff]

Native Polynesians are suggested to have called human meat meant to be consumed "Long Pig". History is littered with examples of cannibalism on small and large scales, for mythical healing properties to simple survival. The Donner Party is probably the most famous example in the West.

Watched the movie Ravenous recently, and it got me thinking about cannibalism. Does it have a place in TLD? I'm not suggesting either way, but it was an interesting thought. When faced with a horrid death by starvation, would modern man cross the line and eat the dead? The account of Urguayan Air Force Flight 571 crashing into the Andes inspired the film ALIVE and also suggests that, in extraordinary circumstances, the will to survive will trump our modern affectations of civilty.

I could see this being an interesting game element in two ways; for one thing, it could fit in with the grim, savage experience of TLD, driving home the idea of the primal struggle for survival slowly stripping humanity from the protagonist. For another thing, it would force an (hopefully) extremely difficult, uncomfortable choice on the players. Do I cross that line, and once I do, is there any going back?

I do think that there's something to be said for decency's sake though. Perhaps it is a bit extreme for any game, even one about man struggling against nature to stave off the inevitable for just one more day. It would definitely be the darkest part of the game, and it would be hard to treat it with gravity if TLD became "that game where you can eat people".

Thoughts on cannibalism and as it pertains to TLD?

[Eric]

I've heard plenty of stories of near-death starvation causing thoughts of cannibalism to surface, but it's not something I (and likely most other people) want added.

[Mako Heero]

You can just chew on your wrist while playing TLD if ya got such a cannibalism craving. Or Cannabis. Whichever.

[greasy]

Nope. No place for that in TLD. Sure, some would say why not? But really it's not needed, plenty to eat in game without it. I can't speak for the dev's but seeing what they've done so far I don't think it's in their vision. I know there are some games that include cannabilism, but this one just doesn't have the feel for it.

There are many pros and cons that could get argued and many moral issues that could be argued as well that I won't touch. For me personally I'm glad it's not part of the game.

Now the Forest? yeah I'm an arm and leg eating MF'er. But that feels right, I should be eating them. I shouldn't be eating the corpsicles here.

[Banestaff]

Huh. Kinda hoping at least one weirdo would support the idea. Maybe cannibals only come out at night.

I agree, there would be a tonal difference. Sunless Sea and The Forest are the only two games with cannibalism that hop into my mind. But the odd thing to me is that both of those games are set in alternate worlds. It just seems odd that there isn't a realistic survival game that includes cannibalism, but maybe because there's not much overlap in demographics.

[bethany]

It's an interesting discussion as far as morality is concerned, but just so this is out there (even though it's been said before), we don't plan on adding this feature to The Long Dark.

[NorX]

Originally posted by hinterlandcommunity_bethany:

It's an interesting discussion as far as morality is concerned, but just so this is out there (even though it's been said before), we don't plan on adding this feature to The Long Dark.

Good thing, you wouldn't want to turn into a Wendigo.

[Frosty]

They'd have to cover the "Shakes" you get from prolonged devouring of human meat.

[Lord Flenser]

I'm glad this won't be an option for the protagonist in the game.

It would be an extra element of yuck! / fear! if you knew there were groups of cannibals roaming the outskirts of civilizations willing to make a meal of you. Of course, you could probably just use your imagination to guess what Max would do to you after he shoots you in the back and hauls your corpse back to his campfire.

*shakes fist at Max*