JFK Reloaded: Revisited in 2006

“Where were you when John F Kennedy was assassinated?”

Whereas September 11th is now etched into popular culture as a defining moment of history, JFK’s assassination is probably regarded as one of the 20th century’s most infamous events – especially to those who were around at the time. Being the youngster that I am, I wasn’t around then, so it’s not something I can relate to on a personal level.

Computer games have always used historical events as their backdrop: just look at how many World War 2 themed games there are. That said, computer games generally skirt around “taboo” subjects, even if they have been visited time and time again in literature and cinema. After all, games are interactive right? So no game company wants to be branded a provocateur, after all, we’ve got to think of the children!

Therefore it caused quite a stir, when on November 22, 2004; Scotland based Traffic Games released “JFK Reloaded” – 3D, first-person perspective, “assassination simulator”. The premise is simple enough: you (the player) are Lee Harvey Oswald, you are in the infamous book repository and you have a gun, and we all know what happens next.

Or do we? According to Traffic Games, the whole point of JFK Reloaded was to help prove that there was indeed no big conspiracy, just one nut-job with a gun that got lucky. To this effect, it stays true to the actual event as accurately as a computer game - albeit made without a big budget - can. The player is in a fixed position, you can’t move, and your rifle takes the standard time to reload. Accordingly, the much lauded physics engine was meant to be simulating real bullet trajectories and velocities as realistically as possible.

So, despite the big controversy that the game caused, what was it actually like? In reality it’s actually the gaming equivalent of a hit of crack cocaine – minus the long term addiction. Sure, there’s an initial thrill of doing something that mainstream society considers perverse and immoral, but the actual goal of the game: to accurately reproduce Lee Harvey Oswald’s exact actions, is actually mind numbingly boring. You see to get the best “score”, you have to try and reproduce the exact number and timing of the shots Oswald fired. This is no easy task, and it means you must do things like miss a shot and shoot the road as well - after all, that’s what Oswald did. Once you realise just how difficult – and boring – such a task is, you do what any gamer would do, and that is just randomly shoot everything and anyone. This is the games only saving grace – the ability to explore historical “what ifs”. After all, unlike most games where you create history, in this one you are just replaying it. So the natural tendency is to try other scenarios, to make your own “version” of actual events. But with such limited game play, this path quickly wears thin too, and within a matter of an hour, the game has lost any illusion of fun.

JFK reloaded caused a huge controversy in the US when released, and not surprisingly, Traffic Games quickly folded and disappeared under the weight of criticism from politicians and social commentators. The game is now considered abandonware – that is no one actually owns the rights to it. Almost 2 years later, the game has slipped from popular memory. So, Cool.com.au presents the free – abandonware – version of the game for you to download. The game requires a Windows computer – but given its age, it should run fine on most computers these days.

If you download and play it – ask yourself, is this game a valid historical simulator? Or is it deliberately a “shocker”, designed to garner publicity and outrage? Either way, Traffic Games is no more, so you’ll not be supporting their ill-gotten gains. When you’re done – and you will be pretty quickly – believe me, shoot us some feedback on what you think JFK: Reloaded is really like.

Download JFK: Reloaded - Zip file, 21.65mb.

Official website (now defunct) - JFKreloaded.net

Comments (42)

Mr. written by Asher on August 16, 2006 If I download it, does that mean I can play the whole thing; like try to shot the President? omg written by omg on September 5, 2006 NO SH*T lol ... written by Olorin on September 12, 2006 Wots the big deal with folk,its just a game.Its ok to kill and maim and slaughter fictional charectars but soon as you put a recognisable face on it,its bad.Some people!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!**!!!!!!! written by diediediediediediediediediedie on September 16, 2006 personally i think this game rocks!!! you get to shoot someone and see blood and gore. its awesome. i dont see why people make such a freakin big deal out of it. i mean we've all played the kill osama or sadam game. its a game. its fun. we're probably all going to go to hell for playing it, but seriously, who gives a flying fuck?! yeah written by me on September 30, 2006 i agree,the games fun ok??im not saying i condone takin a real shot at any1 anytime soon,and i feel that the jfk assasination was a true american tradegy,but damn theres nothing funnier that taking out the drivers and watching in glee as they slam into the walls making every1 fly out lmao!! help!!!!!!!!!!!! written by skye on September 30, 2006 i've downloaded the thing on winzip, but i don't know how to run it! please help!!!! hahelaodlwd written by nanananannanananna on November 15, 2006 hi!!1 VP johnson two cars behind kennedy written by jfk blown away on November 22, 2006 The game is great. The replay via zepruder film is great. LBJ is in the car right behind the secret service. I enjoyed killing that warmonger. That's for Vietnam bitch. Do a little more damage written by Trav on December 16, 2006 Actually, I think Ozwald (or whoever) got it wrong. Inthe game first shoot the drivers of the cars. Generally they stop or skid all over the place before crashing. Then the people sit in the vehicles like lambs to the slaughter. I know this is probably bad, but it's a game and I am not about to go and try the real thing. is there a version with GW-Bush ? written by PhtiNIX on January 2, 2007 I think it will be hard for me to shoot JFK... but no trouble for bush. nice written by daniel on January 2, 2007 personally i think this game rocks!!! you get to shoot someone and see blood and gore. its awesome. i dont see why people make such a freakin big deal out of it. i mean we've all played the kill osama or sadam game. its a game. its fun. we're probably all going to go to hell for playing it, but seriously, who gives a flying fuck?! Teehee written by James on January 3, 2007 Much amusement, funny as Hmmmm written by There isnt one erd blooded Ame on January 4, 2007 Wonder if you would like it if he was your father? But besides me not wanting my peeps in a game like this where have the ppl of our country stooped too,at sometime you grw up and have a little courtesy and patriotism for our land and our country!My bud got blown up in Iraq,AND HE WENT BACK! get a life and show some respect! OMG written by guy on January 4, 2007 None of you know how to spell at all. I thought gamers were intelligent, at least a little bit. WTF. good written by do do da da with cheese on January 5, 2007 the game is good (and mindless), i think its fun but it can get boring. good game. Wish we could aim at Ridsdale instead written by The Lone Gunman on January 6, 2007 Bang! Sam Hammam, my lord, Sam Hammam. Meh written by Joe on January 6, 2007 I tried to d/l this game for years..after i got the trial version back when the devs. where still around. after getting a cracked copy that crashed my comp everytime it went to the ballistics screen...i find it here for free..and i have to say it's ok but it makes me feel bad playing it... Suck it written by Cobol on January 6, 2007 So you shoot jfk - wow, so what? He's rotting in hell. Just enjoy. I'm gonna try to mod it so Martin Lucifer Koon Jr. is in JFK's place, and instead of riding a car, they're riding a mob of negroes. wtf! written by sconf on January 7, 2007 this game should be about shooting bush... then i play it hmm... written by tozzy on January 8, 2007 da onli fun part is dat dey go wacko once u shoot dem Just a response to "There isnt one erd blooded Ame" written by Pauly on January 16, 2007 There isnt one erd blooded Ame (a poster a few posts above this who rants about who morally bankrupt this game is): Not that you will understand the meaning of this but this is an AUSTRALIAN SITE!!! we dont have to show any patriotism to ur country. And that swipe about ur mate who went back to Iraq - Thats fantastic! He can continue to fight an illegal war all he wants - WTF does it have to do with this?? Get a sence of humour you dooshbag! Us Aussies dont need to hear your garbage! Nice game too btw hah Cobol's an idiot written by Cobol's bad childhood on January 20, 2007 So the comments actually reflect the gaming communities feelings toward this game. Thats until cobol comes along and tries to get a rise out of anyone who considers racist remarks to be offensive. Well you are ignorant and most likely suffered a tramatic childhood, you have my sympathy. JFK:R FTW! written by jameslcfc on February 1, 2007 This game owns your mum! JFK written by President 2008 on February 7, 2007 IF Jackie Kennedy was still alive what would she say about this? I have not played the game I am in the middle of downloading it, I love President Kennedy and I would say something about the game but I have not played it yet, so I can't have an real comment yet. asfqwr written by Sangye on February 8, 2007 I'm downloading it now because I was suddenly overcome with an urge to play a hitman simulator, and it's the first thing that came to mind. Kennedy was an amazing president and his assassination was a tragedy, but that's hardly relevant to the quality of this game. Peace. HELP written by HELP on February 9, 2007 I need help the game plays but it sometimes doesn't show the cars, and sometimes it shows one blue car that doesn't move, I had to change the mode to opengl I think it is, then I download a new driver Geforce but it would say it was courrpt, would someone please help me? Traffic may be gone, but JFKR is not forgotten! written by Arrkis Chummuk on February 12, 2007 There's actually a really great site dedicated to this game/sim/whatever: http://www.io.com/~o_m/jfkaos/index.htm. The guy running it has done a fantastic job taking the game apart and putting it all into perspective. he even threw in a great overview of the Z-film, and what makes it a fun read is that he adds a lot of humor and sarcasm to his explanations. It's really a great read! MUHHAAAA written by poiuytres on February 17, 2007 I LOVE IT! written by Bill on February 17, 2007 Me and Hillary and Chelsea LOVE this game! We shoot him in the head again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again! Jackie too! Suck it is funny! written by it a bigun on February 19, 2007 I am so happy that you did not use the "N" WORD.. Only EGRO-NO-IGGER. You are such a fool. Please listen too XM-202 Opie and Anthony. U fit in too our group. Google O&A ... Jesus Reloaded written by apegomp on February 20, 2007 Traffic, give us the src code dammit§! I want to shoot jesus in the face! wdw written by wqd on February 20, 2007 : bush written by hitler on February 24, 2007 a bush game would be more fun to play 9/11 towers written by 9/11 conspirator Justin on February 24, 2007 closely, look at any 9/11 video and compare it to any other "burning" building... with few isolated fires and black smoke (meaning oxygen starved fires(not even really fires (just like flames after a campfire))) after 90 minutes, the second tower hit, fell first.. sad, the corruption of our nation will be our downfall, not another corruption.. gg america plz make a 9/11 remake written by 9/11 conspirator Justin on February 24, 2007 i would love a 9/11 remake game and control all the planes, and u would have to reinact hitting the pentagon then the 2 towers then the one that supposedly "fell" in pensylvania but there are no skid marks... lol, the whole 9/11 day is a joke, well not as much as womens rights, now thats a joke. dont get me wrong i love america, freespeech for the win!!! I dunno. written by Stilly on March 1, 2007 Oswald was either horribly lucky or he wasn't the only gunman. My observation is that it's much easier to score the fatal head shot on Kennedy when the motorcade is approaching the book depository rather than when it's making it's way toward the triple underpass. I cant play. written by Mog on March 4, 2007 How do I play, it keeps on giving me "Problem whilst talking to server" how do I play lol written by paradox616 on March 5, 2007 lol stupid americans, "our nation, our land" grow up and realise your not the only country in the world lmfao written by rob lol on March 13, 2007 This game is incredible! The rag doll effects are awesome also. No one should attemp this in real life though. -_- lol whats next! written by Kip P on March 20, 2007 whats next the 9/11 game we get to be the terrorist...successfully take over the plane and drive it into the pentagon/twin towers Why Not? written by G-Love on March 27, 2007 Why not have a 9/11 game? More people died in WWII yet we all play some sort of WWII game they're the biggest selling games on consoles now a days, Justify that. Sh&* Happens, be lighthearted and just have some fun. Dumb yanks.... GUESS WHAT? written by Samurai on April 6, 2007 i say that this game is good. But let me tell you it also gives ideas to the next level of terrorists. So if shit happens then blame the government and specially GW-Bush. He is an ass hole killin people in AFGHANISTAN & IRAQ and now going towards IRAN saying he wants to stop terrorism and he is becoming the king of terrorists.

Write comment

Name:

Email:  Your email is not displayed or shared

Title:

Comment:

Write the displayed characters Add Comment

Tag it:

 You are naive and silly to think that there is no conspiracy. Really, research the facts before reaching an opinion.

Astronauts unite, June 15, 2006 8:52

 I have to say that I do not believe in any conspiracy, mostly due to another computer simulation called Secrets of a Homicide that looks rationaly at the assassination with out "player involvement". Although I think investigation in to the Kennedy Assassination is intresting and sometimes troubling this is was probally just an excuse to try and get some developers names on the map.

andrew m, May 29, 2006 6:11

 cocks

SA, May 22, 2006 6:26

 Wang

Ace, May 14, 2006 1:46