Konami has apparently decided not to publish Six Days in Fallujah, its controversial game based on the Iraq war, less than a month after it first announced the title.
"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", a PR official for Konami reportedly told Japanese site Asahi. "We had intended to convey the reality of the battles to players so that they could feel what it was like to be there."
It is unclear at this stage whether the rights to the game are held by Konami (making it dead) or Atomic Games, meaning the developer could shop around for a new publisher.
Konami is remaining quiet, at least in the UK. SPOnG contacted the publisher for comment but was simply told, "We have never actually confirmed Fallujah for a European release".
The game is based on the experiences of a number of real troops who fought in the battle of Fallujah.
As well as attracting a backlash in the US, the game has attracted criticism on this side of the Atlantic from high-ranking British military officers.
Even the game's creators remained ambiguous on whether the game will be 'fun', suggesting that the ground beneath them feels shaky.
The question has to be posed, however - would this have happened if Six Days in Fallujah were a film? Jarhead saw release, so the answer is probably 'no'. The next question, then, is 'should games portray sensitive real-world issues?' Give SPOnG your take in the Forum.
"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", a PR official for Konami reportedly told Japanese site Asahi. "We had intended to convey the reality of the battles to players so that they could feel what it was like to be there."
It is unclear at this stage whether the rights to the game are held by Konami (making it dead) or Atomic Games, meaning the developer could shop around for a new publisher.
Konami is remaining quiet, at least in the UK. SPOnG contacted the publisher for comment but was simply told, "We have never actually confirmed Fallujah for a European release".
The game is based on the experiences of a number of real troops who fought in the battle of Fallujah.
As well as attracting a backlash in the US, the game has attracted criticism on this side of the Atlantic from high-ranking British military officers.
Even the game's creators remained ambiguous on whether the game will be 'fun', suggesting that the ground beneath them feels shaky.
The question has to be posed, however - would this have happened if Six Days in Fallujah were a film? Jarhead saw release, so the answer is probably 'no'. The next question, then, is 'should games portray sensitive real-world issues?' Give SPOnG your take in the Forum.
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Comments
Psalms 27 Apr 2009 10:32
1/3
People don't tend to understand that games don't have to be just about killing the most things the fastest. They can have a plot with characters you become attached to, they can portray both comedy and tragedy in an involving, interactive way. But until the mainstream public see beyond our party games and our GTAs, they won't be able to understand why a game can be a meaningful documentary of an event.
On the other hand, and I don't know much about this game, it's wrong for these events to be lowered to a level of 'this really happened, how cool are you that you're doing it too!'.
Hopefully, the developers will be able to get a new publisher and will manage to keep it tasteful so that the only people who can be offended are those who never play it, but hear that they should be offended by a friend of a friend who reads a certain newspaper.
On the other hand, and I don't know much about this game, it's wrong for these events to be lowered to a level of 'this really happened, how cool are you that you're doing it too!'.
Hopefully, the developers will be able to get a new publisher and will manage to keep it tasteful so that the only people who can be offended are those who never play it, but hear that they should be offended by a friend of a friend who reads a certain newspaper.
deleted 27 Apr 2009 10:51
2/3
Very dependent on the situation,
Would a Twin Towers (911) game be acceptable?
Would you play the Terrorists and actually fly the plane into the buildings, or would you play a survivor and your objective is to escape while seeing those around you dying?
i guess it also time dependent,
Look at COD or any WW2 Game
i have watched many a WW2 movie from Where Eagles Dare to Saving Private Ryan and while the story's are always different it doesn't make me think any less of the horrific world those soldiers were put in, when i play COD i don't feel that pain and suffering like Saving Private Ryan Portrays,
But i don't believe in the same sentence we should censor what we are exposed to, if COD made me feel sick about the reality of war would i enjoy it more, would i even buy or would it ruin the game?
This game should be released as realism however harsh and horrific is a great education tool and yes a great entertainment factor.
as hinted in the previous post and article, it seems games aren't allowed to show realism of life without some sort of public and media frenzy.
to quote
Mr Jefferson in South Park "Its just ignorance people are ignorant", the Media (well some) even more so.
Would a Twin Towers (911) game be acceptable?
Would you play the Terrorists and actually fly the plane into the buildings, or would you play a survivor and your objective is to escape while seeing those around you dying?
i guess it also time dependent,
Look at COD or any WW2 Game
i have watched many a WW2 movie from Where Eagles Dare to Saving Private Ryan and while the story's are always different it doesn't make me think any less of the horrific world those soldiers were put in, when i play COD i don't feel that pain and suffering like Saving Private Ryan Portrays,
But i don't believe in the same sentence we should censor what we are exposed to, if COD made me feel sick about the reality of war would i enjoy it more, would i even buy or would it ruin the game?
This game should be released as realism however harsh and horrific is a great education tool and yes a great entertainment factor.
as hinted in the previous post and article, it seems games aren't allowed to show realism of life without some sort of public and media frenzy.
to quote
Mr Jefferson in South Park "Its just ignorance people are ignorant", the Media (well some) even more so.
Joji 27 Apr 2009 12:36
3/3
Oh Konami, what a disappointment you have become, and how I was so looking forward to buying this game.
A good reason why games could have done with this game, is because a lot of games are very one sided, not letting you play from other perspectives or points of view. This is done to keep peace perhaps, but in a way is wrong, depending on the situation or subject matter.
We'll never know what kind of emotional impact or message carrying games can have, unless decent attempts are made to tackle that difficult ground.
And the icing of the cake is, Konami, you truly have no balls at all. continue to make and live off of Pro Evo, MGS etc, but one day, your luck will run out if chances aren't taken. When you play things too safe, you'll be forgotten. Its going to take some major miracles for me to forgive you on this, Konami. You should have more respect for your medium.
With E3 on the horizon, you could have waited until then or afterwards, once the press had assessed the game and understood what its trying to achieve in full. How lame, and again shows why Capcom are much better at this.
So who'll pick up Six Days now? Whoever does, stand to make something big. Go Capcom or Rockstar.
A good reason why games could have done with this game, is because a lot of games are very one sided, not letting you play from other perspectives or points of view. This is done to keep peace perhaps, but in a way is wrong, depending on the situation or subject matter.
We'll never know what kind of emotional impact or message carrying games can have, unless decent attempts are made to tackle that difficult ground.
And the icing of the cake is, Konami, you truly have no balls at all. continue to make and live off of Pro Evo, MGS etc, but one day, your luck will run out if chances aren't taken. When you play things too safe, you'll be forgotten. Its going to take some major miracles for me to forgive you on this, Konami. You should have more respect for your medium.
With E3 on the horizon, you could have waited until then or afterwards, once the press had assessed the game and understood what its trying to achieve in full. How lame, and again shows why Capcom are much better at this.
So who'll pick up Six Days now? Whoever does, stand to make something big. Go Capcom or Rockstar.