The Man Behind the Trigger

The Man Behind the Trigger is a platform-shooting game set in 2005. You play a law-abiding, god-fearing citizen who believes society is corrupt and sets out to kill influential media figures. The game is a satirical work based on a 2005 open letter by media watchdog activist Jack Thompson, which offered a charity donation as a reward for making and publishing a game in which players violently attacked video game developers. A freeware satire game inspired by the letter was released in February 2006 by indie developers using the “Thompsonsoft” label; Pedro Baretta presents his own take on the premise.

Stages and targets

You can play five stages in any order. Completing them unlocks a final stage in the Gaucho Highlands of southern Brazil, where you invade the science park of Barettopolis to confront your nemesis, Pedro H. Baretta.

The five stages take you to:

• San Francisco, California: kill occult writer Elizabeth Winther in her mansion.
• Hollywood, California: target film director Giovanni Rosati at the premiere of his newest bloodbath.
• New York City: find rapper Mack-10 in his hotel room.
• Jacksonville, Florida: attack an event held by World Stardom Wrestling (WSW).
• Japan: invade the offices of the Azuma Corps, burn its archives and kill its chairman. The conglomerate spans consumer electronics, video games, comics, animation and pornography.

Platform shooting

Each stage uses a platform engine and combines platform shooting with light exploration, such as finding keys to open doors and locating targets. Some stages require extensive exploration, while others are more straightforward. You can find weapons and health pickups throughout a stage, and collect money from enemies you kill to buy weapons between stages. You can also stock ammunition for a preferred weapon to use during a stage.

Weapons and enemies

The available weapons include:

• Sub-machine gun: an ordinary toy gun sold at department stores.
• Grenades: for making things messy.
• Assault rifle: suited to crowded areas.
• Shotgun: fires armour-piercing ammunition that penetrates enemies.
• Flamethrower: sets enemies on fire.

Most of the people you fight are the targets’ bodyguards, including police officers, private security and men in black. They pursue you with water pistols, nightsticks, grenades and rifles. The game features over-the-top violence and gore, including dismemberment, bodies burning and screams of despair. Its graphics use the Sega Mega Drive’s colour palette.

Bonus material

The game folder includes two PDF files: About the Autor and paik CES. The latter explains the fictional paik CES console referenced in the game, covering its technology, logistics and fictional game library. The game’s .ogg audio files can be modified to personalize the soundtrack.