A video game industry is known for its limitless creativity, but every now and then, a bold creation crosses the fine line between acceptable and “too crazy.”
The latest example of this is “Christmas Massacre,” a horror game that drew attention not only for its terrifying content, but also for being banned by Microsoft from appearing on the Xbox Store.
A very scary game
While it’s rare to see Microsoft block a game, “Christmas Massacre” found itself in this peculiar situation.
The game, which was originally released in 2021 for PC and received a “Very Positive” rating on Steam, was scheduled to arrive on PlayStation on November 17th.
However, both the Xbox and Nintendo apparently refused to allow the game onto their platforms.
The game’s developer took to Twitter to explain the situation, revealing that both Microsoft and Nintendo refused to allow the game to be censored.
This effectively sealed the fate of “Christmas Massacre” as a PlayStation exclusive title, leaving Xbox and Nintendo Switch players without the chance to experience the horror and controversy the game promises to deliver.
But what exactly makes “Christmas Massacre” so controversial? The game is described as an “80s-inspired stealth destroyer” and features PS1-style graphics.
The game’s premise is equally chilling: players are challenged to start a murder spree in the Christmasall while avoiding getting caught.
“Deck the halls with blood and bloodshed! Larry’s Christmas tree tells him to kill all the people who were naughty, but whose side is the tree really on? And can Larry trust what he’s hearing?
“Christmas Massacre” is a stealth and bloody horror adventure that takes inspiration from the 80s aesthetic and uses low-resolution graphics to create a retro experience.
Players must use stealth tactics and switch between first- and third-person camera modes to eliminate their victims without being detected.
The objective is to fulfill the protagonist’s Christmas tree bloodlust before the Christmas festivities come to an end.
The refusal of Microsoft and Nintendo in allowing the game on its platforms suggests that “Christmas Massacre” has crossed a threshold of acceptance in terms of violent and provocative content.
However, the game will still find an audience on PlayStation, where the boldest and most courageous gamers will be able to experience the mix of horror and dark humor it offers.
In the world of video games, where creativity often knows no limits, “Christmas Massacre” stands out as an example of how some creations can be considered “too crazy” for certain consoles.
Microsoft’s ban on the game sheds light on the challenges developers face when trying to innovate and push the boundaries of what is acceptable in the video game industry.
