First and foremost, I know that topic already has a few threads about it, but I have to create my own to fully express my anger, and disgust.

Having Dish Network, I recorded G4 tv's E3 '08 live. Having just recently gone back to watch it, I see the demo for Mirrors Edge. Initialy I was excited to hear about the video game that was based off of Parkour/Freerunning, however... As soon as they gave a close up of the demo I was utterly disgusted.

The first thing that I noticed that should have given me an indicator the whole thing was horribly wrong, was the fact that anytime they mentioned Parkour or freerunning, which they rarely did anyways, that they would use the terms interchangabley, completley so. Normally not a major mistake, easy to correct someone on, but it didn't stop there. Not by a long shot.

Secondly: Within the first few seconds of the demo it became painfully clear that this was a game and just that. It is NOT A Freerunning/Parkour simulator. Instead it is basically a game where you run around, jump buildings, run away from and sometimes fight the police.

Which brings me to the most disgusting observation about this demo. Within 5 minutes, it displayed EVERYTHING that you shouldn't do as Traceur or Freerunner. Jumping in-between buildings, busting in doors, running from the police, and, if it wasn't bad enough, fighting the police.

What really disgusted me was the fact that even though this is SUPPOSED to be a Freerunning sim, that there was no Freerunning or Parkour involved. Instead, she simply climbs up onto things, runs, jumps, and every now and again, when you push the six axis controller forward, she rolls. All of this can be found in standard platformers. Furthermore until I am proven wrong, I will make the statement that they are simply using the names of serious physical disciplines which are fairly widely known to promote a game that is at its heart the standard platformer.

I agree, but sometimes with stuff like this, we just have to sit back and enjoy the game for what it is, it's hard, but there's nothing we can do about it.

Taken from the game's wikipedia page:

The game is set in a conformist dystopia in which communication is heavily monitored by a totalitarian regime, and so a network of runners, including the main character, Faith, are used to transmit messages while evading government surveillance.


I dont understand why you think it doesnt have parkour in it.  She traverses quickly through sets of obstacles in order to get to a destination in an efficient amount of time.  Parkour isn't a collection of movements...its just movement.  Just because you can't do a "kong to precision" in the game doesn't mean it isn't parkour.

I'd hate to see the video game selection if every game represented their inspiration 100 percent accurately... I know I've seen people take their skateboards and grind the top of the capitol building, out on to a flag pole, drop 75 feet while doing 3 flips, and then land in a mini ramp 

I own GTA 4 and before i did i never thought of going out and robbing places and stealing cars, but it just really all around inspired me so now i rob my local shops everyday!!!!

If people actually took everything in videogames completely seriously then things like that would actually happen, but they dont

haha +1 for that

That "traceur" is Cyril Raffaelli, an accomplished stunt man who not only practices parkour, but also a few different martial arts.  He was also in Kiss of the Dragon, a Jet Li film, where he plays a bad guy and fights Jet Li using his martial arts experience.  Using your logic, would you say that movie is trying to portray martial arts in a bad light?  Didn't think so.


I have no idea where you got the mafia idea from, but Mirror's edge has nothing to do with the mafia.  It takes place in a futuristic world  that is controlled by a "totalitarian regime" and Faith is portrayed as a heroine.  You probably haven't seen much from the game because you can roll on big jumps for a safe landing.  Are the "skids" you are referring to the move that allows you to slide underneath obstacles?  If so, then I'm not sure why you have your panties in a bunch over it.  Given the right circumstances (smooth surface, proper attire, etc.) sliding under obstacles can be very effective and useful.  I'm sure you've seen a video of a traceur using a sliding technique to overcome an obstacle, but if you haven't then that means you probably haven't seen enough videos and are too busy complaining about minute problems that hardly concern you.  Like I said before...get over it.


Its just you.  The media isn't trying to make us look bad.  The media sees parkour as a money making opportunity.  Nobody is actually thinking "lets try to portray these people as evil."  Its just entertainment.  Don't take it personal.

I have a few points to make.

1. I still think they are using Parkour and Freerunning as a gimic to promote thier game.

2. Yes, I know that Parlour is not a collection of moves. But every platformer that has ever been made has been about jumping, running, and whatever else you need to do, to get from point A to point B, often ASAP. Meaning that every platformer, could be classified as having Parkour/Freerunning in them, but don't. Why would they say that Mirrors Edge is based off of Parkour when it is just a 3-D platformer, that will probably be like every other 3-D platformer, except with shinier graphics, the loss of moving platforms (early 3-D days), and guns.

3. People know not to try things they see in video games because there is a very good chance that it was exaggerated. However, if people think that there are people that actually do this stuff, then they might get it in their heads to jump of a building. Then again, most people would be smart enough to research the topic first, so who knows, I may just be rambling about nothing on this point, and I actually hope I am.

4. Lastly since the game is inspired by Parkour, it may give people misconceptions about just what it is that we do.

Oh, and X-Play frequently mentions, when they are taqlking about the game at all, that the game is a Freerunning sim. Also one of the games developers called it a Freerunning sim during G4's E3 '08 live coverage.