Iran battles US, Israel... in computer game

[oberliner]

Iran on Monday launched a computer game with a strong political message that mixes the standoff over its nuclear programme, the mystery of missing diplomats in Lebanon and its hatred of Israel.

Players of the game "Special Operation 85: Hostage Rescue" play the part of a special agent battling to release captured Iranian diplomats and nuclear scientists from the clutches of his US and Israeli foes.

The game has been produced by the Union of the Islamic Students, which was behind the infamous "World Without Zionism" conference in 2005 where President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called for Israel to be "wiped from the map".

"In this game we are not promoting terrorism and violence. By freeing Iranian hostages we are promoting selflessness, devotion and defence of our country," said the group's secretary general Mohammad Taghi Fakhrian.

http://www.africasia.com/services/news/newsitem.php?area=mideast&item=070716125042.a12ilsex.php

[NeedleCast]

1. I don't have a problem with this really

Computer games like this need an antagonist, whether it be aliens from deep space, hell's minions or zionists. Lord knows the software developers in the U.S. have had a field day with anti-terror games. Figures to reason that another countries software industry (as it were) would capitalize on the same.

[LeftishBrit]

2. Well, my first reaction was...

"Perhaps this should catch on. If people must fight wars, it would be better if they fought them in virtual-reality rather than with real bombs!"

But I do realize that spreading these messages of hate isn't a great idea, in whatever form.