LEGO Batman: probably not the first game you think of when there are cries of ‘Games are corrupting our children!’ being thrown around. Nevertheless, the title has earned the ire of the Campaign for Commercial-Free Childhood, an organisation “devoted to limiting the impact of commercial culture on children”.
It has nominated LEGO Batman for its inaugural TOADY (Toys Oppressive And Destructive to Young Children) Award for worst toy of the year.
Apparently, the award for Toys Oppressive and Shocking to Schoolchildren, Parents Or Teachers was ruled out at an earlier meeting.
So what’s its beef with LEGO Batman? “How do you turn the ultimate creative toy into a symbol of commercialized childhood?” CCFC asks. “Begin by partnering with media companies to sell that toy in branded kits designed for recreating movies like Star Wars, rather than creative construction. Then, dispense with hands-on building altogether by turning your toy into a video game so that instead of deciding what to build next, children choose which cyber weapons to use to beat up their opponent.”
But wait, it’s got more: “Finally, ignore the fact it was rated suitable for ages 10 & up and partner with McDonald’s for a Happy Meal toy giveaway to simultaneously promote the video game, junk food, and the violent Dark Knight movie series to preschoolers.”
Ignoring the basic assumption that games are evil and violent movies – even those suitable for ages 10 and up – are evil, this seems unfair on LEGO. We’re guessing that the plastic brick maker didn’t just put its name to the decent series of LEGO titles for the hell of it. Presumably it wants to promote LEGO too, thus turning more kids on to the idea of its “ultimate creative toy”. Ah wait, that’s that evil advertising again.
Out Now| £16.94 | LEGO Batman (via GamePolitcs)
