Why are sawed-off double-barreled shotguns called super shotguns in games?

[scott04sa22]

Why Sawed-off Double-Barreled Shotguns are called Super Shotguns in video games?

[msc545]

Real-world firearms: A sawed-off double-barreled shotgun is simply called a sawed-off shotgun, coach gun, or short-barreled shotgun (depending on its configuration and jurisdiction). Gun owners and manufacturers generally do not call them "super shotguns."
DOOM II (1994): The name "Super Shotgun" was introduced in Doom II. It was a side-by-side double-barreled shotgun that fired both barrels at once, delivering massive damage but requiring a long reload. It quickly became one of the most iconic weapons in gaming.

[Iron_Man]

That’s true sawed off shotgun

[Kim41230]

@Iron_Man wow

[msc545]

Thanks very much for MHO

[Zack-Bann]

Depends on the game.
I’ve played almost every action shooter ever made and most of them are called sawed-off


I think the ones who change the names usually try to market themselves as peaceful and unwilling to teach kids about gun culture.


Not to mention a sawed-off is illegal in real life

[abc3643]

A nontrivial reason is likely because of liability.

If a game's "super shotgun" is called a "sawed-off shotgun" (a real thing) and then someone commits a murder saying they were motivated to use a sawed-off shotgun because they saw what they could do in the game, then the victims of the crime might sue the game manufacturers as inciting violence via their depiction of a real weapon. By using a "super shotgun", there is no actual real-world equivalent in name that can be purchased or modified because "super" is ambiguous. This is a reasonable way for the game manufacturers to escape any liability.

[BCRanger10]

Who cares? They make me do this...

[Iron_Man]

I have no idea I really don’t play that many video games anymore

[msc545]

The only one I still play is World of Warcraft.

[Iron_Man]

@msc545 well that’s cool

[msc545]

There is an addictive quality to that game that I really love. It has its ups and downs, and some of the interactions with other players can get a bit rough, but in the end it gets a whole lot of fun and very adventurous. More than anything else, I love developing my character, who's turned into a rather deadly mage.

[Iron_Man]

@msc545 that sounds like a lot of fun

[msc545]

It is a ton of fun. You should try it. We could play together.

[Iron_Man]

@msc545 do I need to buy a PlayStation? Or an Xbox.

[msc545]

Actually, no, you can't really play it on Xbox or a PlayStation, but you can play it on your computer if you want. That's how I play mine.

[Iron_Man]

@msc545 well I don’t have a computer anymore and my tablet’s not connected. I use my cell phone.

[msc545]

It doesn't take much of a computer. Just a cheap laptop will do just fine, as long as it has a reasonable size screen.

[Agape93]

No idea