Publisher no longer associated with contentious Iraqi War title following sustained public outcry
Konami has reportedly abandoned its publishing deal with Atomic Games for the controversial Iraqi War title Six Days in Fallujah.
“After seeing the reaction to the videogame in the United States and hearing opinions sent through phone calls and e-mail, we decided several days ago not to sell it,” said a Konami representative.
When unveiled early in April, Six Days in Fallujah had been subjected to public outcry for centring a game on the Second Battle of Fallujah, a conflict that took place in Iraq only five years ago, and saw the deaths of numerous US Marines, Iraqi insurgents, and local civilians. The battle saw extensive damage to residences, mosques, city services, and businesses.
The game was quickly bashed by the Daily Mail, while British war veterans as well as British peace group, Stop the War Coalition, called for the game to be pulled. The outcry was of equal enormity in the US, where bereaved families of soldiers and citizens' groups lashed out at the game’s content.
A Konami spokesperson told Asahi that the publisher intended to convey the reality of the battles to players “so that they could feel what it was like to be there”.
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Now the title – in development at US indie outfit Atomic Games – may not make its planned release schedule for next year. The game was not announced for a European release.
What a wasted opportunity. This could have been an awesome chance to show that games can really tell a story. Whether about the surge, or the events leading up to it, this could have been a great title that could have examined the issues surrounding what happened there.
It's a surprise we're allowed to wipe our noses these days.
I love the smell of political correctness in the morning.
I hope that Atomic have the rights to the IP and it can find a publisher not worried about pandering to the popular press.
From what I understand, Atomic had pitched it to other parties. So providing its contract with Konami had a trapdoor style release/escape clause I reckon someone will pick it up. I'd hope someone has the gumption to do it, or that Atomic might find a way to sell it digitally - as controversial as the content is, its release would certainly set a benchmark for the way the medium addresses and represents current events. Assuming the game, as its developers claim, tackles the subject even handedly.
Well, no matter how even handedly it's done, it won't please everyone - I think it's the nature of the subject matter. It's a bit like northern Ireland or Israel - if you do/say something that pisses off both sides, you're probably on the right tracks:)
I can't believe they'd stop us gamers having our fun. I've been trying to hard to find a game where I can drop white phosphorous and napalm on civilians and get points. We've been denied a real treat here.
Hmm I think it is a good idea that they did not publish it...
It might provoke some violence and promote it... at least on a political level...
What they should do is, change the graphics and the units and make an entirely different game whilst having the similar story etc... Take a look at C&C Generals... They have USA, China and GLA ;)
But also balancing the sides would be nice and not getting political with the games as i hate when some games are made to promote one side and demote other :(
