14 DAY TRIAL // Barely has a day passed since Konami has partnered up with Atomic Games in order to create and release a video-game called Six Days in Fallujah, and the outraged reactions are starting to pour in. The odd thing is that people coming from both military backgrounds and anti war groups are saying that creating a title that tackles the battle that took place in winter 2004 is not welcome, as the subject matter is just too sensible at the moment.
The father of a Royal Marine from the British Army, who was killed in Iraq, believes that the game is proof of bad taste and poor choice. Creating a title based on Iraq as fighting is still going on there shows little respect for both the memory of those fallen there and for the feelings of the Iraqi population.
Tim Collins, who is a decorated Iraq War veteran, is also against Six Days in Fallujah, saying that, “It's much too soon to start making video games about a war that's still going on, and an extremely flippant response to one of the most important events in modern history. It's particularly insensitive given what happened in Fallujah, and I will certainly oppose the release of this game.”
Tansy Hoskins, who represents the Stop The War Coalition of the United Kingdom, has also opposed the title, explaining that, “To make a game out of a war crime and to capitalise on the death and injury of thousands is sick... The massacre in Fallujah should be remembered with shame and horror not glamorised and glossed over for entertainment.”
Konami has reiterated its position, pointing out that the game will not present a rosy picture of war, but will try to show players how chaotic and horrific warfare can be, especially in an urban environment. Atomic Games has some ties with the military and can offer an experience that is close to the real one. The only problem is that a strong response to Six Days in Fallujah from the public might force Konami to cancel the development on the game.