Ubisoft invites the 'miserable defeat and gruesome death' of the US
North Korean government upset by Ghost Recon 2
It would seem that Ubisoft has inadvertently laid the foundations for World War 3 in its launch drive for Ghost Recon 2. The North Korean government heard word of the game's storyline and immediately reacted by voicing its concerns, claiming that the content was US-led anti-Korean propaganda. The premise of the game involves a North Korean dictator appropriating food supplies for military purposes and then invading China. The American Ghost Recon unit is then sent in to rescue China from its uncertain fate.
The game's developer has insisted, however, that it went to particular lengths to avoid offending anyone. It simply wanted to provide a reasonably realistic setting without referring to any specific real-life conflict. The North Korean government refutes this, and has responded with a more than slightly frightening comment in the State owned newspaper, "Through propaganda, entertainment and movies [Americans] have shown everyone their hatred for us. This may be just a game to them now, but a war will not be a game for them later. In war, they will only face miserable defeat and gruesome deaths." (Tongil Newspaper). Although this may have important repercussions for the game's non-sales in North Korea, such emotive commentary about a distinctly pro-American game ought to do no damage for the title in the US.
Despite such protest, Ubisoft is continuing work undeterred, and Ghost Recon 2 should be marching onto the shelves in November. That is, unless the whole world blows up in an atomic crossfire of apocalyptic proportions at any point before then.
The game's developer has insisted, however, that it went to particular lengths to avoid offending anyone. It simply wanted to provide a reasonably realistic setting without referring to any specific real-life conflict. The North Korean government refutes this, and has responded with a more than slightly frightening comment in the State owned newspaper, "Through propaganda, entertainment and movies [Americans] have shown everyone their hatred for us. This may be just a game to them now, but a war will not be a game for them later. In war, they will only face miserable defeat and gruesome deaths." (Tongil Newspaper). Although this may have important repercussions for the game's non-sales in North Korea, such emotive commentary about a distinctly pro-American game ought to do no damage for the title in the US.
Despite such protest, Ubisoft is continuing work undeterred, and Ghost Recon 2 should be marching onto the shelves in November. That is, unless the whole world blows up in an atomic crossfire of apocalyptic proportions at any point before then.
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Comments
Viclo 28 Jun 2004 17:19
1/7
Wow...Ubi Soft pisses other countries off almost as fast and efficiently as George Bush...
You know when someone does something so random and flat out stupid that you don't know what to think? Yeah, this is one of those situations...
Good job Ubi Soft. Keep up the good work.
~Rolls eyes~
You know when someone does something so random and flat out stupid that you don't know what to think? Yeah, this is one of those situations...
Good job Ubi Soft. Keep up the good work.
~Rolls eyes~
Pandaman 28 Jun 2004 19:48
2/7
Just so long as they don't play Splinter Cell 3 on the Maddux.
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M3wThr33 28 Jun 2004 20:51
3/7
It's great when America is insulted for a game from a Canadian company that's owned by a French company.
GeoffreyBa 28 Jun 2004 23:18
4/7
M3wThr33 wrote:
>It's great when America is insulted for a game
>from a Canadian company that's owned by a French
>company.
What the heck are you talking about? First the Americans aren't getting pissed off by this game. But on the second hand if a Canadian Company thats owned by a French company were to make a game with the story of George Bush getting blown away a third of the americans would be pissed off the second third would go rush out and buy the game just for that reason, and the last third might buy it might not depending on there mood. And to me the North Korean government shouldn't really worry about this game because first they'd have to worry about the Chinese which, well, maybe that could have a semi-good end to it.
>It's great when America is insulted for a game
>from a Canadian company that's owned by a French
>company.
What the heck are you talking about? First the Americans aren't getting pissed off by this game. But on the second hand if a Canadian Company thats owned by a French company were to make a game with the story of George Bush getting blown away a third of the americans would be pissed off the second third would go rush out and buy the game just for that reason, and the last third might buy it might not depending on there mood. And to me the North Korean government shouldn't really worry about this game because first they'd have to worry about the Chinese which, well, maybe that could have a semi-good end to it.
Joji 29 Jun 2004 02:02
5/7
Typical North Korea, there is so much going on in the world and they like Iran have to time to saber rattle, while they build weapons and their people starve.
They should be honoured to be included in the game to go up against the americans. Yes, I like them am tired of seeing America as the worlds saviour from games to movies and back, but that don't mean it won't sell because of a certain nations objection. I know games are starting to tread on some funny geo-politcal toes sometimes, but if it's a work of fiction no one cares except North Korea. Sit in the corner and play with your nukes NK, cause you never gonna be able to sell or use them, and how frustrated they must be about that.
I recall they also had objections to scenes in 007 Die Another Day. They really ironicly funny thing about this is that South Korea will probably be buying and playing the game loads online, not really caring about NK's concerns. Atleast they know better, that it's just a game. South Korean game rage might change your mind about that though, LOL.
They should be honoured to be included in the game to go up against the americans. Yes, I like them am tired of seeing America as the worlds saviour from games to movies and back, but that don't mean it won't sell because of a certain nations objection. I know games are starting to tread on some funny geo-politcal toes sometimes, but if it's a work of fiction no one cares except North Korea. Sit in the corner and play with your nukes NK, cause you never gonna be able to sell or use them, and how frustrated they must be about that.
I recall they also had objections to scenes in 007 Die Another Day. They really ironicly funny thing about this is that South Korea will probably be buying and playing the game loads online, not really caring about NK's concerns. Atleast they know better, that it's just a game. South Korean game rage might change your mind about that though, LOL.
KilgoreTrout XL 29 Jun 2004 03:24
6/7
Poking fun at North Korea is like shooting fish in a barrel- why just this week Kim Jong-il took up golf, and, according to an official government statement, he finished 38 under-par with 5 holes-in-one. I'm not kidding. That man is incredible in his strange brown voodoo leisure suit.
GR 2 - I'll probably buy it. I loved the first two. But will I play it when Halo 2 is sitting right there, mocking me for playing something else this November? More importantly, will anyone be on an online shooter in November that isn't called Halo?
GR 2 - I'll probably buy it. I loved the first two. But will I play it when Halo 2 is sitting right there, mocking me for playing something else this November? More importantly, will anyone be on an online shooter in November that isn't called Halo?
Jammin 29 Jun 2004 12:02
7/7
I don't care who this game insults, the thing is the first 2(3) were great. The only reason i stopped playing GR2 was because of the ye olde hackers. So as long as they can get some PB support on there i will be happy, As for Kim Jong Il , well he can go play golf and feed his people some pork grizzle!
Oh yes as for halo, i dont think so ;)
Oh yes as for halo, i dont think so ;)