Six Days in Fallujah

Let me start out by saying that I am really interested in the relationship between video games and social commentary. It's an intriguing area of study. However, when I read about "Six Days in Fallujah," a new video game that is based on the real-life photos, diaries, videos, and experiences of Marines in Iraq, I was truly taken aback. The battle portrayed in this game resulted in 38 American deaths and about 1200 insurgent fatalities.

The Marines who banded together to create this game say that it can provide a lesson on the intensity and gravity of war to an audience who wouldn't normally be watching the History Channel or learning about the war in a classroom. According to Atomic Games President Peter Tamte, "Our goal is to give people that insight, of what it's like to be a Marine during that event, what it's like to be a civilian in the city and what it's like to be an insurgent. For us, the challenge was how do you present the horrors of war in a game that is also entertaining." Documentary-style videos of the real-life Marines are interwoven throughout the game.

Several groups that represent family members of veterans and American casualties have spoken out very strongly against this game. They believe it is disrespectful to the sacrifices that our soldiers have made and that it trivializes the experience of war.

I honestly don't know how I feel about this game. Although I'm encouraged by the trend of video games commenting on real-world issues, this game feels a bit offensive and exploitative to me. Does anyone else have any opinions on this game?