Criticism of the reactionary game 'Plants vs. Zombies'

Theoretical Struggle
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Originally published at: 批判反动游戏《植物大战僵尸》 – 曙光

Critique of the Reactionary Game “Plants vs. Zombies”

Editorial Department of the League of Struggle for the Emancipation of the Proletariat

Editorial Board of League of Struggle for the Emancipation of the Proletariat

![Zombies waving flags, escalator zombies, miner zombies, sled zombies|690x690, 50%](upload://o2xU4xFO4Boi0OwWiCD7ZsLsmI8.jpeg) In today's society, various bourgeois toxic games are widely spread among the working people, including confusing games like "Plants vs. Zombies." Many believe it is just a "small game," but "In the current world, all culture or literary art belongs to a certain class, to a certain political line. True art for art's sake, art that transcends class, and art that runs parallel or is independent of politics, do not actually exist."[1]

Through our in-depth research and analysis, we have found that "Plants vs. Zombies" contains slander against revolutionary people and blackens the image of revolutionary mentors. It shamelessly promotes the theory of class reconciliation, making it a thoroughly poisonous weed.

First, let us analyze the images of zombies and plants in the game. The zombies' attire, such as overalls, work uniforms, and long pants with leather shoes, are typical of manual laborers and office workers (mental workers). Their weapons (barrels, ladders, iron gates) are tools used by the working people to build barricades against the bourgeoisie, with classic examples being European barricades. Some zombie characters are miners, workers carrying ladders, and other laborers. The image of the flag-waving zombie is even more vicious. In the game, the flag-waving zombie always respects and waves the red flag, leading the zombie army to attack the plants. We all know that the red flag is a symbol of the working people's revolution, "This red flag shines brightly, it is the blood of workers burning, burning on this red flag."[2]

Why do the working people revere this red flag? Because it is a symbol of the Red Army of workers and peasants. Wherever the red flag is planted, the revolutionary beacon fire burns there, and the working people of that place will be liberated. The people waving the flag are the vanguard of the revolutionary masses. They lead by example, taking the lead in attacking the fortresses of reactionary bourgeoisie. There is a touching scene in the defense of the Paris Commune: "Fifteen-year-old Félix Dunan and his fourteen-year-old brother Erneste Dunan... were very brave and tenacious. They were only 100 meters from the enemy, fought fiercely for over an hour, and finally, together with the troops, launched a bayonet charge, occupying the barricades. When the brother planted the military flag on the barricades, he was unfortunately shot and fell. The brother rushed to defend the military flag and also sacrificed his life."[3]

The flag-waving zombie always appears first when the zombie army mobilizes, leading the charge with the red flag, and other zombies follow this banner to launch a full attack. From this, it is clear what class zombies represent in the game; it is already obvious.

![Looking ahead to the future global, it will surely be a world of red flags!|438x280](upload://djLXoSb6kDv0C26nrBw7eHWYs5E.jpeg)

Next, let's examine the images of plants in the game. Most of the plants are modeled after modern weapons, and there are also steel spikes and weed whackers based on barbed wire and tanks. At the same time, these plants are thoroughly loyal puppets of the bourgeoisie, never defecting or fearing death, constantly firing fiercely. Their images are a fusion of humans and weapons. We know that no thought can be divorced from reality or serve reality. The essence of these puppets is to regard soldiers as slaughtering machines that can be commanded by the bourgeoisie. The entire game promotes killing all zombies with a variety of weapons and advocates weaponism. In fact, weapons are ultimately controlled by people. Even the most advanced equipment cannot defeat the revolutionary people, no matter how rotten the imperialists are.

![The weapons in the hands of the ruling class are all firing at us working people!|690x572|thumbnail](upload://i5T8I8ipToMlmJG0CPoDllbFzKK.jpeg)

From this, it is evident that behind this so-called "non-political game," lies the extreme bloody and brutal counter-revolutionary slaughter of the bourgeoisie in reality. The game produced by PopCap is precisely catering to the bourgeoisie's desire to cultivate loyal fascist minions, beautifying bourgeois counter-revolutionary slaughter as "Plants vs. Zombies." For a long time, this game has confused many petty bourgeoisie, allowing them to indulge in this "non-political" game and spontaneously spread reactionary art that opposes the proletariat, further making them indifferent to the bloody repression of reaction in reality, even deriving pleasure from it.

"Plants vs. Zombies" not only decorates the bourgeoisie's counter-revolutionary slaughter as a confrontation between plants and zombies, but also inherits the anti-communist background of its idol, EA, viciously attacking the great revolutionary mentor Lenin, and elevating the image of imperialist arms dealers infinitely.

!["Plants vs. Zombies" crazily vilifies Lenin, the mentor of the people worldwide!|690x512](upload://iXb8d5jaMZQoAjZa2cjdJXseOYW.jpeg) One of the main characters in the game—Dr. Zombie King—slanders the highly revered image of Lenin, the mentor of the world's working people, with innuendo. Dr. Zombie King is the only intelligent zombie on the zombie side, "ruling and dictating" the zombies, ruthlessly making others die for him. Isn't this the relationship between the revolutionary leader and the masses in the eyes of the ruling exploiting class, who see themselves as superior and clever? If this is not enough, the background of the game shows that Dr. Zombie King "obtained a degree in death studies in two years" and Lenin "graduated with honors from the Law Department of St. Petersburg University in two years," plus the appearance of Dr. Zombie King's high forehead, which clearly points to the revolutionary mentor Lenin. The most conclusive evidence is that the mini-game levels "Dr. Zombie King's Revenge" in "Plants vs. Zombies" and the game "Yurie's Revenge" in the "Red Alert" series, which slanders Lenin, share the same name.

Another main character in the game, Crazy Dave, undoubtedly represents imperialist arms dealers. According to the background, on one hand, he "invented plants to fight the zombie army," "is an excellent businessman," "the zombie outbreak made his wallet fat," and "his store's goods are very expensive"; on the other hand, he "taught players how to fight zombies" and "once others are surrounded by zombies... he will unhesitatingly distribute his goods to those in need."[4]

![Down with the evil war profiteers, the U.S. imperialism!|366x517](upload://1x3DYxEbxTUHM2UjXk16NjLtraF.jpeg)

But just through our analysis of zombies, it is not difficult to see what kind of killer Crazy Dave is! In reality, such people would actively research various reactionary suppression methods, manufacture slaughter tools, and make huge profits during the era of proletarian revolution. They would also actively aid the ruling class, terrified by the revolutionary fire burning across the world, to maintain capitalism at all costs, bloody suppress all revolutions worldwide, and pursue their heinous goal of destroying the nation and perpetuating their rule. Therefore, imperialist arms dealers are the pillars of imperialism, leeches that suck blood from the world’s people! Yet, this Crazy Dave, representing such reactionary forces, is portrayed in the game as a "great benefactor" saving the country and the people, which is utterly nauseating and a blatant inversion of black and white!

Crazy Dave's invention of "plants to fight the zombie army" reflects the dying imperialist's delusional dream in its death throes. But the mighty tide of history is unstoppable; capitalism will inevitably perish, and socialism will inevitably triumph. The arrogance of the bourgeoisie in the game can never find any way to save their doomed fate in reality.

If the previous imperialists' reckless slander of the working masses is a hard sword flaunted to show their strength, then the joint dance of plants and zombies after passing the level is a soft sword filled with decadent tunes. After brutal repression of revolution, the bourgeoisie will put on a hypocritical face, promote the fallacious "Three Harmonies and Two Completes"[5], and lull the nerves of the working people, allowing themselves more time to comfortably rule over the people and suck their blood, while preparing stronger forces to suppress the upcoming revolution. But their schemes will never succeed in reality. The working people under the leadership of the Communist Party will never be willing slaves, nor will they dance the "swaying dance"[6] begging for mercy! "They climb out of the ground, wipe the blood off their bodies, bury their comrades' corpses, and continue fighting."[7] Any reactionary fantasies of the bourgeoisie or illusions that the people will submit to their reactionary rule will be ruthlessly shattered by reality. Let the bourgeoisie go mad! Let those worthless souls cry! Let the ruling class tremble before the Communist revolution!

  1. Mao Zedong: "Talks at the Yan'an Forum on Literature and Art," Selected Works of Mao Zedong, Volume 1, People's Publishing House, 1967. ↑

  2. Soviet song "Red Flag." ↑

  3. Peking University Department of International Politics: "History of the International Communist Movement (Volume 1) (Draft for Comments)," Commercial Press, 1976. ↑

  4. https://baike.baidu.com/item/疯狂的戴夫 ↑

  5. Three Harmonies and Two Completes: The "peaceful coexistence" between capitalist and socialist countries, the "peaceful competition" between capitalist and socialist systems, and the "peaceful transition" from capitalism to socialism, called "Three Harmonies," proposed by Khrushchev at the 20th Congress of the CPSU in 1956; additionally, Khrushchev's 1961 proposal of "All-People State" and "All-People's Party," called "Two Completes." Khrushchev's entire revisionist theory system is called the "Three Harmonies and Two Completes" theory. ↑

  6. To slander laborers and promote the reactionary class reconciliation fallacy of "Three Harmonies and Two Completes," the game deliberately designs a hypocritical scene at the end of the level where zombies and plants dance the "swaying dance," implying that even if the bourgeoisie massacres the working people, they will not resist but dance the decadent reactionary "swaying dance" together under bourgeois influence. The game trivializes the blood feud between the two classes with a chaotic "swaying dance" banquet, which is extremely vicious. ↑

  7. Mao Zedong: "On the United Front," Selected Works of Mao Zedong, Volume 1, People's Publishing House, 1967. ↑

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The bourgeoisie is like this, secretly selling ideas of counter-revolution and slaughtering the people. Publishing a straightforward slaughter tutorial would just get beaten up, but if it’s disguised as a game, it can deceive everyone.

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For dinner, you associate the proletariat masses with zombies. What exactly are you? I suggest you go to Deer Two Shots and take another look at what you have pulled out yourself.

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Doesn’t this obvious mapping stand out to you? Don’t you see what the images of these zombies correspond to in real life? I think your kind of idiotic leftist circle that constantly spouts nonsense probably plays this game every day, otherwise how could you react so strongly? Criticizing the game is like insulting you. Moreover, your brain should be useless; I suggest you get a CT scan to check if your brain is only as big as a peanut, unable to form complete opinions. If you want to debate, present your arguments and evidence, don’t bark like a rabid dog.

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Image
Verbal abuse represents political incompetence; I suggest you clean your mouth before speaking. If you can’t refute, don’t throw tantrums here with foul language, like a clown.

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Are you brushing your teeth with manure in the morning? Is your breath so bad? Are we linking the proletariat masses with zombies? Wasn’t Plants vs. Zombies the game that defamed the working people first? It’s clearly written in the article.

Where do the designers of Plants vs. Zombies get their inspiration from when creating the game? Isn’t the zombie image, resembling the proletariat masses, something they designed themselves?

Are these images taken from the game designer’s drawings? Can’t you read the article first before arguing? Spouting nonsense only makes you look like a clown.

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You don’t even elaborate on basic arguments, don’t talk about any Marxist principles, and it’s completely personal attacks and insults, not worth refuting. You’re even worse than Taiping Debate’s Happy Disco, at least they discuss their theories, though they’re also idiots, but you’re lazier and don’t even bother to write long articles, and the only reaction is verbal insults.

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If you oppose the article’s viewpoint, can you provide a specific rebuttal? Don’t just use dirtier words than those used by hooligans in society. Are you just trying to boost your courage after finishing jerking off by saying this kind of trash?

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This is a classic example of a point that doesn’t explain any logic. A game created by the bourgeoisie, where the image of the game is used to slander workers through zombies. The article states this fact—how is that related to the article? And then it suggests others calm down by masturbation. May I ask, do you often calm down by masturbation? If that’s true, then I am truly worried about your brain and kidneys.

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It seems we’ve touched on your sore spot. When you see the reactionary nature of the game you identify with being exposed by us, you come out to attack in order to defend your interests. But even in your attack, you can only act like a clown, throwing tantrums—because your ability and perspective prevent you from rebutting with reason and facts, sticking to the matter at hand. From your words, only vulgarity, narrow-mindedness, and lack of principles are evident. “Political slander often conceals the slanderer’s lack of principles, helplessness, weakness, and overbearing arrogance.” Lenin, “The Political Significance of Slander”

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Is it because you overreacted, and your mind isn’t working very well? We clearly pointed out that the game was made by the bourgeoisie, linking the proletariat masses with zombies. If you’re looking for trouble, at least come up with some legitimate reasons, okay? Don’t be so juvenile; your behavior makes me feel ashamed to be human alongside you.

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The person who exposes the criminal’s behavior has instead become the criminal. Your logic is truly amusing, and your mental state is also concerning. It is recommended that you read “Treating Mental Illness with Mao Zedong Thought” first. The earlier you seek treatment, the sooner you recover.

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Your remarks directly reveal your malicious intent and your personal low character.
First, you ignore the forum rules, registered an anonymous account, did not introduce yourself, and hurriedly made such vulgar remarks, which already exposes your impure motives. (Moreover, your post was blocked by the system review, but I deliberately approved your comment, also to let the masses recognize the poisonous weed and improve their discernment.)
Second, your language is illogical. You avoid discussing the rigorous logic and strong evidence when criticizing bourgeois games, and instead directly slander, claiming that this article slanders the proletariat masses, rather than that bourgeois games slander the proletariat masses. You are both stupid and malicious.
The idea of “linking the proletariat masses with zombies” is actually promoted by the bourgeoisie, specifically bourgeois intellectuals who express this concept in various cultural works they create (games, movies, TV dramas, comics, novels, etc.). The Plants vs. Zombies game mentioned in this article is a very typical example. The article also explains in detail how this game projects proletarian elements onto zombies, clearly showing that the bourgeoisie uses zombie imagery to attack the proletariat masses. But you ignore this fact, refuse to debate this point, and instead accuse the article’s author (that is, our association’s editorial team) of “linking the proletariat masses with zombies,” with the apparent purpose of suggesting that the game itself does not portray the proletariat as zombies, thus exonerating the bourgeoisie’s game.
Finally, your language is also filthy and obscene. After unjustly slandering others, you resort to rude language and insults. You risk exposing your low quality in front of the masses, yet you still jump up to attack, and even use this method of registering an anonymous account to avoid self-introduction and launch a surprise attack. I think, such behavior can only be done by those with deep class hatred (the petty-bourgeois rightists with bad conduct who hate Marxism). Perhaps it is a minion sent by some faction within the left circle, or out of a desire to defend bourgeois games with “class indignation,” and act as a “plain passerby” who “sees injustice and speaks out.”
However, regardless of the reasons, your remarks not only embarrass yourself and make the masses see the ugliness of the left circle more clearly, thereby proving the correctness of our association and forum, but also serve no other purpose.

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Ah, who linked the proletariat masses with zombies? Isn’t it the bourgeois game companies that belittle and despise the proletariat as a brainless “mob”? And who does this “you” represent? Our comrades on the forum have exposed this fact using Marxist analysis methods. Do you disagree with this act of exposure? And why is your mouth so foul? Do you like to defecate everywhere in public because you masturbate too much?

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You should first clean the foul smell from your mouth before speaking! The extent of your vulgar and hooligan language, to the point that even you have to use homophones to express it, do you not think you look very clownish?
Let’s see what you have argued in this paragraph. You haven’t argued anything; you said that this article links the proletariat and zombies, which can only prove that you haven’t even read the content of the article carefully. If that’s the case, plus you didn’t follow the forum’s rules to introduce yourself before starting to participate, it can be concluded that you are definitely infiltrating the forum with personal motives to achieve some despicable goals; and if even after reading you insist on your conclusion, then it only shows that you are completely unwilling to admit the true nature of bourgeois video games. Is it really so hard to see clearly whether it is the bourgeoisie who slanders the proletariat as zombies, or this article that slanders the proletariat as zombies? Go ask around in society, those who often call their laborers “oxen and horses,” is it because they lack self-respect and slander themselves as “oxen and horses,” or because capitalists treat workers as oxen and horses to exploit and oppress?
This sentence exposes that you actually judge things with idealism; you don’t think that video games produced by the bourgeoisie to defend capitalism reflect the bourgeoisie’s class nature, nor do they reflect the bourgeoisie’s hostility towards the proletariat and the class and economic conditions under capitalism. Instead, you think that these substantive contents are imposed subjectively by others (or the article’s author). As long as people don’t impose this “prejudice,” Plants vs. Zombies wouldn’t be an insult to the proletariat and revolutionary mentors, and all other bourgeois video games wouldn’t be attacks on the proletariat and hostility towards the working people. The world is peaceful! The reason is that people’s minds are pure. But unfortunately, the people are not like you, with a “pure mind.” They live under capitalist oppression, and they are very clear about how some bourgeois articles or literary works beautify bourgeois behavior and life, and belittle and slander the behavior and life of the proletariat.
Finally, your vulgar language only makes people think: you are only capable of uttering such vulgar words. And it doesn’t pose any threat to others. Don’t be a clown for yourself, just keep your mouth clean!

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Uh, although that person is very disgusting, please also pay attention to your words. The word “撸” (lū) originally was used to refer to the humorous activity of masturbation, generally meaning “to jerk off.” Also, the focus should be on refuting the opponent’s arguments and pointing out their intentions, rather than competing to curse more nastily. Otherwise, you might fall into an endless cycle of insults because of the opponent’s baseness.

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Okay, I will pay attention next time

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The character “撸” originally refers to an action. For example, “撸” the leaves off the branches. The usage of “撸” to refer to masturbation or self-pleasure comes from vulgar slang. If you use it to insult someone, you are abandoning the correct reasoning and lowering yourself and others to the same level, resulting in a mudslinging match. It’s like wrestling with a pig in the mud—you’ll get dirty, but the pig, which is already there, will be very happy.

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Okay, accept criticism

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:rofl: Haha, I didn’t expect that more and more of our ‘People’s Deputies’ here are breaking their defenses. Originally, they represented our organizational members, but now there’s also one representing the ‘proletarian masses.’ Your words have the style of Zhou Enlai, the old dog who said “The masses like it, what are you?”. Little do you know that in capitalist society, the bourgeoisie not only controls the reproduction of material resources but also the reproduction of spiritual resources. They have no choice over what kind of cultural products they accept. Moreover, ordinary masses wouldn’t be so fanatical in defending a game like Plants vs. Zombies, acting like a hysterical madman.

In fact, you are powerless to refute any arguments about how Plants vs. Zombies vilifies the masses as zombies. In the end, you had to resort to this vulgar way of spouting filth to defend what you consider a sacred territory. This game was originally designed to instill the idea that “the masses = lifeless zombies that can be slaughtered at will,” which I can also feel myself. When I was a child, I liked this game very much. When I wasn’t playing, I would think about the game content in my mind, conceive new plants, and incorporate scenes from my life into zombie-killing maps. Of course, at that time, such behavior was filled with the innocent fantasies of a child. I would imagine chatting with these plant friends I built and exchanging ideas with them—however, zombies were always objects to be slaughtered. Later, I also smoothly accepted the spiritual opium of many ‘grass-cutting’ games aimed at killing people.

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