A Video Game Destiny: American Cynicism

[Abishai100]

The Mortal Kombat video-game franchise is a fighting-series (martial arts combined with graphic street-fighting and mystical/netherworld apocalyptic stand-offs) that offers colorful warrior-avatars that symbolize a combination of Eastern and Western mysticism.

When I watch the 'culture-vigilance' film Jerry Maguire (about an ambitious American sport-agent struggling with modern 'metaphysics'), I think about 'everyday warriors' in modern civilization, which is why I like designing Mortal Kombat tournaments in which various warrior-avatars represent culture-vigilance 'figures' and 'Americana celebrities' (e.g., Tom Cruise and Stephen King).

Is this the era of populism pretense? Is that why we've elected a capitalism-baron (Donald Trump) as U.S. President?


====

Tom Cruise and Tom Berenger, two well-liked American movie stars decided to co-host a kids' Mortal Kombat video game tournament at the Mohegan Sun casino-gaming center in Connecticut. Mohegan Sun was owned/operated by Native-Americans (the people of the Mohegan Nation), and Cruise and Berenger wanted to draw some nice media attention to capitalism/mercantilism gauged culture-exchange in this era of democracy and populism explosion. They invited Hillary and Bill Clinton, Stephen King, and Ellen DeGeneres to dress up in Morta Kombat warrior-costumes, so kids would feel engaged in the cultural-exchange revelry (while gaining exposure of Native-American culture in mainstream America).

CNN reporters were at hand and remarked how the event nicely-defined a new age media-related appreciation of culture-exchange related festivities. Cruise remarked how this was the age of video games and Facebook, and Berenger took photos with the Clintons and some kids ready to don the identities of colorful mystical Mortal Kombat warrior-avatars such as Raiden (Eastern god of lightning) and Cyrax (cyborg-ghoul). If enough money was raised for the event, Cruise and Berenger intended to donate the money to the eco-activism organization the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation on behalf of the Mohegan Nation. When one reporter asked Cruise what he thought about the overt violence in Mortal Kombat video games, the American celebrity replied, "We can't be shy about graphic-art in this 'age of pulp-fiction and magazines'!"

Here's some of the details of the Mohegan Sun sponsored Mortal Kombat tournament (which took place on Halloween Eve):

1. James Lao used the avatar Raiden to honor the American computing pioneer Steve Jobs.
2. Haley Joel-Osment used the avatar Mileena to honor the British royal Princess Diana.
3. Chelsea Clinton used the avatar Kung Lao to honor the American celebrity Tom Cruise.

James Lao won the tournament using Raiden, and Apple Computer executives told him, "Steve Jobs would have been thrilled if he were here, so we're presenting Mohegan Sun with this handsome $1million donation for refurbishments!"

====


List of Mortal Kombat Characters (Wikipedia)



Raiden (Steve Jobs):



Kung Lao (Tom Cruise):



Stryker (Tom Berenger):



Kitana (Hillary Clinton):



Sonya Blade (Kelly Ripa):



Sindel (Harlot of Babylon):



Mileena (Princess Diana):



Sub-Zero (Bill Clinton):



Jade (Ellen DeGeneres):



Rain (Stephen King):

 

[IsaacNewton]

Interesting tournament. And raising $1 million dollars is no easy task. If they have a Cyberball Tournament let me know! I rule that game.

 

[Abishai100]

Gender Dragon


I do not have a Cyberball option for you my friend, however, here's a head-to-head 'gender grudge-match' involving Sindel and Kitana (two female-warrior avatars from Mortal Kombat), here representing the last two American First Ladies, Melania Trump and Michelle Obama (respectively).

Melania and Michelle will either be called GRACIOUS First Ladies to 'timely diplomat' Presidents --- Donald Trump, a capitalism-diplomat, and Barack Obama, a multiculturalism diplomat --- or VAINGLORIOUS First Ladies to 'elected token' Presidents --- Donald Trump, a capitalism-baron, and Barack Obama, a race-card puppet.

So who should win...Sindel or Kitana?

====

SINDEL: We could work together in this Nether-Realm!
KITANA: You represent M. Trump, while I represent M. Obama!
SINDEL: You don't see the two First Ladies working together?
KITANA: Perhaps...in a more perfect world.
SINDEL: Then let us entreat the calls of battle.
KITANA: You are no match for my blade-fans.
SINDEL: You can't stand my mysticism.
KITANA: If I win, I take your boyfriend.
SINDEL: If I win, I take your head.
KITANA: That's a deal.
SINDEL: Before we kill each other, let's try our hand working together in a ladder-tournament.
KITANA: Yes...we'll ultimately face a 'celebrity tyrant' such as Tom Cruise or Ravana!
SINDEL: I like your...style.
KITANA: Who said women can't vote?
SINDEL: Never be arrogant...about history.

====