You mean, if you lose a game… you have… these things done to you?" "Exactly. One might bet, say, the loss of a finger against aggravated male-to-apex rectal rape." Gurgeh looked levelly at the machine for a few seconds, then said slowly, nodding, "Well… that is barbaric." "Actually it's a later development in the game, and seen as a rather liberal concession by the ruling class, as in theory it allows a poor person to keep up in the bidding with a rich person. Before the introduction of the physical license option, the latter could always outbid the former.
In this excerpt from "The Player of Games" by Iain M. Banks, the topic of a brutal game mechanic is introduced. A character describes a game where stakes can escalate to shocking consequences, such as the loss of a finger or severe humiliation, depending on the outcome of the game. This revelation highlights the extreme nature of the gambling culture within the game's society, demonstrating a stark contrast to conventional views on competition and loss.
Additionally, the character explains that this brutal system was actually designed as a progressive measure by the elite. By incorporating options that allow poorer players to stake their physical well-being, the game attempted to level the playing field against wealthy opponents. This ironic twist reveals the complexities of social class dynamics where even barbarism can be rationalized as a form of fairness, challenging the morality behind their game and society.
