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Canada Dismayed Over Quebec Terrorist Game Plot

Posted by simoniker on from the mais-non dept.

Thanks to Canoe.ca for their article discussing the Canadian reaction to the in-game plot of Sony's forthcoming PS2 title Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain, which has a level in which "...the [terrorist] Quebec Liberations Front has taken control of one of Toronto's underground subway tunnels." This is "an apparent reference to the Front de liberation du Quebec (FLQ), whose kidnapping and murder of Quebec cabinet minister Pierre Laporte in 1970 led to the imposition of the War Measures Act." A spokesperson for the Toronto transit commission has suggested: "The fact is someone is putting the Toronto subway as a terrorist site, that is a very dangerous thing to do", while a group of Quebec sovereigntists have commented: "It's difficult not to be made to feel like a target when you have a game inviting players to shoot at separatists." Update: 10/23 23:25 GMT by S : According to CTV.ca, Sony have now agreed to change the game, "rather than face a real-life storm of angry Quebecers."

105 comments

  1. I can't be arsed changing Troll accounts... by PedoPeteTownshend · · Score: -1

    So for the record... BLAME CANADA!

    Oh yeah, I like fucking kids, I do.

    --
    I hope I cum before they get old
  2. If this isn't a British Columbian's dream! by Tofino · · Score: 2, Funny
    "It's difficult not to be made to feel like a target when you have a game inviting players to shoot at separatists."

    It's not very difficult to reach for my credit card when you have a game inviting players to shoot at separatists.

    1. Re:If this isn't a British Columbian's dream! by Goldberg's+Pants · · Score: 3, Insightful

      LOL! And Alberta too:)

      Seriously, they need to get over themselves. Nobody stops to think about when the muslims or whatever are targets in a game. No, killing them is just fine. It's total hypocrisy.

      As someone who lives in Alberta, blowing up Toronto and offing hardline Quebecers... Well, it'a a dream come true really innit:)

    2. Re:If this isn't a British Columbian's dream! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Nobody stops to think about when the muslims or whatever are targets in a game.

      I wouldn't be so sure of that if i were you...

      The name of the game escapes me right now, but there was a title i beleive for x-box that was editied because some of the antigonists were very obviously Muslim. The media is just quicker to report this because, well when was the last time Canada protested a video game?

    3. Re:If this isn't a British Columbian's dream! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      farme donc ton esti de gueule sale maudit mangeux de marde... sti d'anglais
      suce donc la bite morte et froide de trudeau

    4. Re:If this isn't a British Columbian's dream! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      yeah, i love Doonesbury too

    5. Re:If this isn't a British Columbian's dream! by pixel_bc · · Score: 1

      ... and it's rational seperatists like you that have me looking where to pre-order this game.

    6. Re:If this isn't a British Columbian's dream! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They're so easy to love, aren't they? I say put out the game........

    7. Re:If this isn't a British Columbian's dream! by Goldberg's+Pants · · Score: 1

      It just pisses me off that it's okay to target one group but not another.

      And whoever modded me as flamebait: You obviously don't live in Western Canada. Do not mod until you know the shit we put up with here from the East.

    8. Re:If this isn't a British Columbian's dream! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ATTENTION dmorin ATTENTION

    9. Re:If this isn't a British Columbian's dream! by Zardoz44 · · Score: 1
      Don't ignore the maritimes. They want their chance too.

      There actually is another piece of land on the Eastern side of Quebec, and they aren't all fishermen (or fisherwomen etc.).

      The maritimes probably had the most to lose if Quebec became their own country.

    10. Re:If this isn't a British Columbian's dream! by Tukla · · Score: 1

      Babel Fish translation: "farme thus your esti of dirty mouth maudit mangeux marde... English sti thus sucks the dead and cold cock of trudeau"

      So, either Babel Fish is having more trouble than usual, or Slashdotters can't spell any better in French than they can in English.

    11. Re:If this isn't a British Columbian's dream! by bios10h · · Score: 1

      I'm a Quebecer and I am separatist. Yes, I do want Quebec to be a state on its own. However, I want this process to be democratic and without violence. It there something wrong with that? I think not. Staying in Canada, getting out of Canada, what makes one better than the other? Rationally, nothing. It's a matter of opinion. I'm just totally blown away that this post (the parent to this reply basically saying "LOL! Yeah I'm from Alberta and it's a dream come true to shoot those separatists!") is getting modded "insightful" on Slashdot. I thought people here were a little bit more aware about difference of opinions and stuff like that. Of course, you probably read every YRO articles and that's ironic... I think I'll need to increase my threshold once again because more and more shit is getting thru.

      As for muslim getting shot and it's not a problem, it should be taken out too but most companies don't bother because muslims don't generally buy games so their market share won't change. It sucks? yeah! it's Corporate America.

    12. Re:If this isn't a British Columbian's dream! by Goldberg's+Pants · · Score: 1

      If you notice, there's a smiley in my comment originally. I of course do no advocate shooting seperatists, but I do think you're all clinically insane. Canada should let you seperate, then sever all trade links with you.

    13. Re:If this isn't a British Columbian's dream! by bios10h · · Score: 1

      > but I do think you're all clinically insane

      I never heard one good reason to stay in Canada (spare me the "we are together", "don't break the unity", "economically it's better for both parties" and other non-sense) so I'm not clinically insane. Maybe YOU cannot imagine why someone would want to go away this beautiful country that you love but heck try to change the situation and let's say Canada is totally full of frenchies... wassup? You don't like Canada anymore? Maybe you would also like to create a free Alberta where English is the official language w/out problems ("French is an official language of Canada" you would probably say, but we all know that this is pure PR bullshit because if I go to Toronto and ask to be served in French, I'm f*cking dreaming).

    14. Re:If this isn't a British Columbian's dream! by JFMulder · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Hi. Fellow quebecois and separatist here, just like you. Have you seen all the hate we get from english canadian on this story? It's amazing how many people hate quebecers so much.

      Personnally, I don't hate them or anything, it's the stupid assholes the rest of the country wants as the government that pisses me off and makes me want to leave.

      And they've got that idea that because we think we're different, we're implying better. Didn't someone say that all tastes were part of nature? It's not because we love different things than them that we consider ourselves better.

      You could argue that at least we don't suck up to the americans and british like a big part of Canada does (see Paul Martin), and that does make us more enlightened in that regard.

      Anyway, we're our own people and own culture. Sure we borrow from other cultures, as all cultures do, but we mostly stay true to ourselves, instead of watching american TV show all week long.)

      To go back on topic, at first I was kinda pissed about it and after a while I was kinda looking forward to hearing how the french terrorist spoke. Finally I could have heard "Calice de tabarnaque!" in a game. :) Anyway, it's just a game, and as someone else pointed out, if it's okay to shoot muslim terrorists in a game, why is it not ok to shoot french canadian terrorists? Maybe it's because we're a long way off a terrorist group that promote Quebec's independence and maybe that's why people are pissed.

      I'm sure if there was a game Russian game where the US invaded Russia and you as Russia had to fight back, americans would be the first one to cry and moan about it. But did you see someone say something about Freedom Fighter released a couple days ago? (I think that's the name of the game where, in an alternate reality where Russia has won the cold war, Russia invades the US) Nope. Not this side of the atlantic anyway. I wonder what they're saying over there. Probably something like "Typical american propaganda. Eh, what can we do about it. Anybody wants more vodka?"

    15. Re:If this isn't a British Columbian's dream! by theshowmecanuck · · Score: 0

      I just hate separatists. I like Quebec and Quebecers. I hate Quebecois. I like Quebecers. Stop spreading propaganda that English Canadians hate Quebec. The threads clearly show that they only hate people like you that want to break up our country. I don't blame them. Who was it that said nationalism is based on hate? Oh yeah, General De Gaulle.

      --
      -- I ignore anonymous replies to my comments and postings.
    16. Re:If this isn't a British Columbian's dream! by theshowmecanuck · · Score: 0

      Quebec french is a little different than international french. It is both an older and newer form... it's own dialect.

      --
      -- I ignore anonymous replies to my comments and postings.
    17. Re:If this isn't a British Columbian's dream! by JFMulder · · Score: 1

      I never said all of english canadian hated canada (or maybe I did, but it was 5 AM so don't be too hard on me, there's a lot of nice english-canadian people that either don't care, understand, but most importantly, don't hate us). But there's a certain part that hates us, just like imbeciles here that hate english candians because well, they're english. It's just stupid. You might not LIKE us, but HATE? That's a pretty strong word.

      The only thing I HATE about Canada is the federal government and it's ineptitude to resolve problems without shovelling them back in the provinces backyard. That, and their constant obsession to have their noses in provincial affairs that don't concern them. That's why we are supposed to have two level of governments : because the federal is supposed to take care of certain things that are too big for a sole province. Get your noses out of our education system. Get your nose out of our turf.

      And about hating separatists : I recall a few years ago hearing that people in BC are becoming more and more pissed, like Quebec, about Ottawa, albeit for different reasons. There's also discontent in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. In fact, almost all provinces in Canada now have people more or less for separating from Canada. They're finally realising that Canada is not ruled adequately. And they want to leave too. I'm wondering if you hate them too.

    18. Re:If this isn't a British Columbian's dream! by theshowmecanuck · · Score: 0
      OK, I'll agree... hate is maybe too strong a word, or maybe it isn't. I get quite upset when people want to break up what I think is one of the best countries on the planet. And yes, I have the same opinion about people in B.C. and Alberta who promote the breakup of Canada. And I was born in B.C. and lived in Alberta for 5 years, and have no use what-so-ever for separatists there either. And I also agree with you that the feds need to get their collective heads out of their collective asses every now and then. At least long enough to get some air. But then again, that is the same attitude 99% of the rest of the world feels about their federal governments. Why should we be any different?

      I am living in Missouri for a while (hence the 'show me' in the showmecanuck), and I can tell you that I notice more the French influence that all English Canadians get even if they don't realize it (even if it is only in ways that are sometimes too subtle to recognize). And I'm not talking about knowing that Mais de Flucons (I know I spelled it wrong) is Corn Flakes from the other side of the cereal box! ;-) The two peoples together create something very cool in style, attitude, and outlook that you can't find here (in the U.S.) or in Europe. It is a kind of fusion that is very good.

      So you get mad because you can't get served in French in a lot of places in Toronto (I lived there too for a long time). I know I can't get served in English in a lot of places outside of Montreal. So I use my Francais d'urgence and try to get by because I know I am not in English Canada and need to try to get by. But I do appreciate it if some of the Francophones try to help with some Anglais d'urgence!

      Canada is a great country and I am very proud to say I come from there. Especially because of the French AND English.

      Vive Canada Unite!

      --
      -- I ignore anonymous replies to my comments and postings.
    19. Re:If this isn't a British Columbian's dream! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There's no doubt that there are problems with speaking French in certain areas across Canada. But to separate for that purpose seems like an excessive response. I would disagree that Quebec is more different than the rest of Canada. Parts of Nova Scotia are extremely different in comparison to other parts of NS. New Brunswick has a lot of enthic varieties and a lot of French too! Each provice brings it's own special difference that makes up this country. That's what makes it different to the U.S. Canada is no melting pot; there is no need to become Canadian. Be yourself and keep your traditions, in Canada. Unlike many minorities within Canada, the French have an extensive set of rights protecting the language and culture. If you've visited or lived in Quebec you know there is little chance that the French language will vanish. What people from Quebec should realize is that all of Canada is a variety of "distinct societies" and that there's even more than French and English languages that exist there.
      On top of all of this I don't believe that most economic or social experts could guess what kind of troubles that separation could cause let alone the general population of Canada. What I think is that most non-Quebec/non-French speaking people feel when saying negative things about the French separatists is: "Hey you don't want to be in Canada, that hurts our feelings, we love this country."
      Some people are just mean, but most just don't understand. That goes for French and non-French alike.
      Making another country may not help the situation. And I think, even if it doesn't seem it, that most Canadians want to work it out so that the language/culture issue is resolved, and that resolution includes Quebec as part of Canada.

  3. And for you European Insensible Clods... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Here a reason why you should buy this game if you don't care for Canada: you are shooting at descendants of the French!!!

    1. Re:And for you European Insensible Clods... by drewmca · · Score: 2, Funny

      About the time their ancestors were over there, I seem to recall that the only reason that America won the Revolutionary War was because of support from the French.

      Enjoy your freedom fries, moron.

    2. Re:And for you European Insensible Clods... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You can do that in New Orleans. Leave our French alone when you have your own problems.

    3. Re:And for you European Insensible Clods... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And that has been used as a dubious excuse for them to be a nation of cheese snorting pantywaists ever since.

      Britian lost the war because of one reason. Supply lines were long, and the lack of steam engines and electricity made logistics hard.

      But it's a great rational. Wow, it is the least bit plausible happen, better not think about it, talk about it, or use it for entertainment purposes. God forbid we with cease with or let anything interfer with our security plan (Phase One: Wishful Thinking Phase Two: Problems Solve Themselves), because at some point, somewhere, someone who's overly sensitive might get sad.

    4. Re:And for you European Insensible Clods... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

      um what?
      shut the fuck up nazi cunt

    5. Re:And for you European Insensible Clods... by PainKilleR-CE · · Score: 1

      I seem to recall that the only reason that America won the Revolutionary War was because of support from the French.

      Yes, it's the only reason, because I read it on Slashdot.

      Regardless of how much help the US got from France in the Revolution, the French sure got plenty of help from the US since then, like a couple of World Wars. I seem to recall that France was occupied by Germans for a while there.

      --
      -PainKilleR-[CE]
    6. Re:And for you European Insensible Clods... by drewmca · · Score: 1

      Um, what? What the hell are you talking about? My point is that every jingoistic asswipe rallying behind the American flag right now is beating on the French as if they're somehow a morally inferior species. I find a lot of frenchmen annoying, but let's remember that they do have a history before 1870, and that history did involve A LOT of cooperation with us. I seem to remember something about a statue or something....

    7. Re:And for you European Insensible Clods... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Part 1: Offtopic, more or less flamebait:

      The french had little to do with America prevailing against Britian in the American Revolutionary War. Geography played a vastly larger role. It's akin to saying the Hessians are why the british lost.

      Then there are the French motivations: The classical passive-agressive Frenchness that is "What is bad for England* is good for France." *Where England can be replaced with any other country. Ben Franklin also liked to fuck anything he could catch. (So I guess we've always had that one in common). Etc.

      They've been unrepentent pussies for more than a century. Their weasly obsequious nature, with a little help from serbian bitches, made two world wars not possible, but likely. Americans died for their freedom, in a way, and on a scale the French never did for anything greater than dreams of Empire. They didn't want america in Nato, so they left, enjoyed its protections, and still wished to have a say. Americans might well be arrogant, but the French are prideful beyond all reason. Look at what they think of the language. They know for a fact they can't compete with english, so they claim second. While I'm not completely certain English even takes first! They detonate nukes underwater, even after the US offered them a look at our nuclear crown jewels if they wouldn't! (THAT is just being a silly bitch.) Then the French foriegn policy of today is roughly equivalent to what people are willing to crusify Rumsfeld, Cheney, and Bush Sr. for in the 80's. Nevermind, that what happened before a person is ten is generally percieved as ancient history, whatever credibility they gained from their small assistance in our nation's founding has been used up.

      Oh and the statue? Yeah, we still take in a whole hell of a lot of the refugees, and immigrants. But any goodwill they purchased with that, has been long since spent.

      --------
      Part 2: A mangled attempt to connect it back to the discussion:

      [I sometimes revise my sentences as I type, and if I just skim to clean up, I sometimes miss things. Especially if I type fast.]

      But it's a great rational. Wow, this fictional terroist setting is the least bit plausible, better not think about it, talk about it, or use it for entertainment purposes. God forbid we with cease, or let anything interfer, with our security plan (Phase One: Wishful Thinking Phase Two: Problems Solve Themselves), because at some point, somewhere, someone who's overly sensitive might get sad.

  4. Sony already changing it? by alphaseven · · Score: 3, Interesting
    CTV is reporting that Sony has already agreed to have the game changed. (Video linked to on the page).

    Funny part is, I was just watching a Canadian reporter talking to an actual retired Quebec terrorist, and he kind of liked the idea, he thought it might make young people a little more militant.

  5. Bah by daeley · · Score: 2, Insightful

    A potential terrorist target is a potential terrorist target whether or not somebody says it's one. In fact, you're worsening the danger by *not* pointing out something like that, since likely not enough will be done about the problem otherwise. "...dangerous thing to do"? Bah. It's not like there's some Separatist at an underground cafe right now slapping his forehead and saying "Sacre merde, the subway! Why didn't we think of this?"

    --
    I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate.
    1. Re:Bah by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      you got it wrong...

      In Quebec we would say: Calice le metro! why didn't think of this.

      we don't speak the same french as in the Matrix ;)

    2. Re:Bah by Chasuk · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Actually, no.

      When suicides are widely reported, the incidence of suicides go up. That's why Toronto, at least in the past, didn't/doesn't report suicides (or at least omits the information that the gunshot wound was self-inflicted).

      Sensationalism of kidnaping inarguably leads to more kidnaping, and sensationalism of skyjacking leads to more skyjacking.

      This has been known for years, and I don't see why it wouldn't apply to terrorist acts, as well.

      --
      Neopets - the best free game on the Int
    3. Re:Bah by daeley · · Score: 1

      Perhaps, but there's a big difference between "widely reported" and "appearing in a video game that no one would have thought twice about if it weren't for the super-sensitivity about terrorism lately."

      --
      I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate.
    4. Re:Bah by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Suicide is largely harmless to society. Why don't they just let people who are not well do themselves in, and maybe even give them advice on how to do it best so that they don't end up in a hospital costing the taxpayers tons of money?

    5. Re:Bah by Danse · · Score: 2, Insightful

      So you're claiming that because suicides increase when a suicide is reported, terrorism will increase because a game contains a plot that has you fighting terrorists? I think I'm going to cry now...

      --
      It's not enough to bash in heads, you've got to bash in minds. - Captain Hammer
    6. Re:Bah by Pez69 · · Score: 1

      Now i don't know if this actaully would fit in right here, but in the orginal one for PS1 the first level happened in street level then moved into the subway to kill the terrorists and defuse at least one bomb. so its not like the subway think hasn't been done before, i think its just the use of the group.

      --

      Forever live the fighters!
    7. Re:Bah by Chasuk · · Score: 1

      Terrorism is an act performed by those who are so obsessed with enforcing their worldview that they are willing to commit murder.

      These people are already mentally unbalanced, so I don't think that it is too implausible that one of the nutcases might be inspired by the plot of a game.

      I'm not suggesting that Sony should have modified it, but I am suggesting that, when considering the insane, the possibility of a causal connection between what for us might be diverting entertainment and for them a recipe for violence cannot be dismissed (at least not entirely).

      I know that there have been a lot of knee-jerk reactions to 9/11, mostly by governments trying to misappropriate our liberties, but I did find the concerns of (some of) the Quebecois understandable, which is what I was addressing.

      --
      Neopets - the best free game on the Int
    8. Re:Bah by metamatic · · Score: 1
      Sensationalism of kidnaping inarguably leads to more kidnaping, and sensationalism of skyjacking leads to more skyjacking.

      See also: "Bowling for Columbine".

      --
      GCHQ Quantum Insert installed. If only our tongues were made of glass, how much more careful we would be when we speak
    9. Re:Bah by Danse · · Score: 1

      Nutcases have immense amounts of inspiration available to them. Books, movies, the nightly news, it's all full of good stuff if that's what they're interested in. The thought that a computer game would be any kind of significant influence in light of all the other major media out there is silly. Even if it did serve as an inspiration, that's hardly something to condemn it for. Think of all the other prescient works out there that could be reviled for this very reason. If it were truly the heinous act that some people seem to want to turn it into, Tom Clancy would've been lynched long ago. Inspiration is only the beginning of a terrorist plot, and also the easiest step of the way. Subways have been targets of terrorist attacks in the past anyway, so its not even a remotely original idea. The reaction to the game was just stupid, pointless hand-waving by people with nothing better to do.

      --
      It's not enough to bash in heads, you've got to bash in minds. - Captain Hammer
    10. Re:Bah by bobbozzo · · Score: 1
      When suicides are widely reported, the incidence of suicides go up. That's why Toronto, at least in the past, didn't/doesn't report suicides (or at least omits the information that the gunshot wound was self-inflicted).

      Yeah, better to make people think there are lots of murders. :P

      --
      Nothing to see here; Move along.
  6. Target? by Aoverify · · Score: 0, Troll

    Yeah, I can really see a bunch of terrorists hanging out, playing video games, talking about where to hit next.

    "Hey, where is that subway in the playstation game?"

  7. Blame Canada! they are not a real country anyway! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    What does the American Ambassor has to say about this?

    Am. Ambassor stands up, fixes his tie.

    -Fuck Canada!

    Canadian ambassor: "Hey! Fuck you buddy!"

    "South Park: bigger, longer and uncut"

    -p.s.
    Just kidding! ;D hey someone has to be a villain demographic, and frankly they were tired of arabs and nazis. Its just a game guys! they can shoot "terrorist from Jersey" for what I care!

  8. In a related story by malverian · · Score: 1

    Newfoundlan man fails attempting a terrorist attack on Toronto, Ontario.

    More Information available here

    --
    You're just mad because the voices in your head talk to me.
  9. hmmm by rwven · · Score: 1

    "Counter-Strike"? sounds like much ado about nothing...

  10. Wow by heldlikesound · · Score: 1

    If you cave into Canada, who WON'T you cave into?

    --


    Cloud City Digital: DVD Production at its cheapest/finest
    1. Re:Wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      France.

  11. Dear Ottawa by Guppy06 · · Score: -1, Troll

    The truth hurts, don't it? Or are you trying to say that there are no such thing as Quebecois separatists (especially not millitant ones)?

    Maybe if you worked more to solve some of the issues beyond some feel-good bilingual legislation you wouldn't have to rely on "self-imposed" censorship tactics like this.

  12. I'm a Federalist... by MainframeKiller · · Score: 2, Funny


    ... you insensitive clod!

    --
    http://www.club977.com/ - The 80's Channel!
    Your source for commercial free 80's music!
  13. Living in toronto by beyonddeath · · Score: 0

    and using the ttc as my main means of transportation, i think it would be cool if they made the subway system a terrorist site, not like it hasnt happened already. Well they just dont tell you that part, ive seen my fair share of shit happen on the subway's here, and lets just say a video game aint gonna change nothing!

    1. Re:Living in toronto by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I only lived in T.O. for 4 years, and the only TTC-related events I've been told about is random floodings and people falling down air-vents by walking on top of the rusty-bolted street level grates that gave way.

  14. What's with the PC BS? by pkhuong · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I'm quebecois, and i don't give a ****. Hell, i'd probably have a lot of fun with the game if i had a PS2 :) However, I think it's a bit sad that the FLQ is only remembered for their one(and last) mistake. They did many things before the kidnapping-and-murder mistake, and it was very clean; it involved blowing statues representing the british domination, etc. While it was costly, but it made their point and didn't physically hurt anyone.

    BTW, re the inflammatory comments: not all of us are like the hardline PQ, just like not every anglo's like Alliance-Quebec(or whatever their name is) people. Thank you.

    --
    Try Corewar @ www.koth.org - rec.games.corewar
    1. Re:What's with the PC BS? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      parle francais, espece de clode insensible!

    2. Re:What's with the PC BS? by Tukla · · Score: 1
      it involved blowing statues

      Lucky statues!

  15. what next? by Joe+the+Lesser · · Score: 1

    A game based on Sherman's march to Atlanta?

    War is cruelty, and you cannot refine it; and those who brought war into our country deserve all the curses and maledictions a people can pour out. ~Gen. Sherman

    --
    "I only speak the truth"
    Karma: null(Mostly affected by an unassigned variable)
  16. Re:Blame Canada! they are not a real country anywa by MMaestro · · Score: 1

    Actually, some game a few years back (I -think- it was Hitman 2, but I know it was fairly recent) was forced to change the enemy skins because they resembled Arabs.

  17. Whoa people! by M3wThr33 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Don't be so quick to blame Canada for this one. Queubec shouldn't even be considered part of the provinces. It's sort of like Texas, but without the cowboy hats or guns. ... Make that just without hats.

    1. Re:Whoa people! by IIRCAFAIKIANAL · · Score: 1

      We have all the cowboy hats in my neck of the woods... guns too... and we've been threatening to separate too (and take our oil, coal, and cows with us)...

      Vive le Alberta! =)

      --
      Robots are everywhere, and they eat old people's medicine for fuel.
    2. Re:Whoa people! by Macaco+Do+Mar · · Score: -1, Flamebait

      ok come on dude, im from texas, and i dont have a cowboy hat, a gun, nor do i fuck my cousin. Besides, big deal if Queubec isnt a real province, Canada isn't even a real country. I feel bad for Queubec, being a fake province of a fake country.

    3. Re:Whoa people! by Pez69 · · Score: 1

      if you keep up that kind of talk we many just have to burn down that white house again

      --

      Forever live the fighters!
    4. Re:Whoa people! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh, you're British?

    5. Re:Whoa people! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's sort of like Texas, but without the cowboy hats or guns. ... Make that just without hats.

      really? i didnt know they had drunken prostitutes and stores with 10% 40oz molson ice for 3 dollars on every corner.

      (actually its not that bad.. drink one and yer pissed)

  18. Ahhh, Sony tucks tail by DesScorp · · Score: 2, Insightful

    How rediculous. There IS a Quebec seperatist movement. Some of them HAVE used terrorism in the past. This is comparable to using IRA terrorists in a game, and then backing off because Sinn Fein complained.

    Someone at Sony needs to grow a sack, and tell these PC assholes to shove it.

    --
    Life is hard, and the world is cruel
    1. Re:Ahhh, Sony tucks tail by jjhlk · · Score: 1

      I second that.

    2. Re:Ahhh, Sony tucks tail by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Someone at Sony needs to grow a sack, and tell these PC assholes to shove it.

      Screw you! PC games are better than X-BOX games!!

    3. Re:Ahhh, Sony tucks tail by kabocox · · Score: 1

      Someone at Sony needs to grow a sack, and tell these PC assholes to shove it.

      Sony may not want to BE the next target though.

  19. In the movie "Broken Arrow".. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ..John Travolta is some terrorist scum who rides a train with a nuclear bomb to Denver (I live in Colorado). This shocked and horrified me. I mean, this movie starred John Travolta! Heading towards Denver! Why do we have to put up with him?

    Seriously though, thought it was cool to get a mention, it makes a change from 99% of movies that seem to assume there's a vacuum between east and west coasts (however true that may be).

  20. Re:Blame Canada! they are not a real country anywa by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Well that's hardly new. The goofy ass protests surrounding The Siege, and oh The Sum of All Fear.

    Yes, whiteness and evil are congenital and linked. All other ethnicities are worderful and giving, all evidence to the contrary is not to be considered as it interferes with our regimen of indoctrination.

  21. Re:Blame Canada! they are not a real country anywa by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I wholeheartedly concur with your assessment, my fellow Northern European American.

    or,

    Fo'Sho' Ma Honkaz!

  22. they are Quebecois up there by HughsOnFirst · · Score: 1

    "rather than face a real-life storm of angry Quebecers."
    Sheesh, they are probably angry for being called Quebecers.

    Acording to Google...

    Searched the web for Quebecois. Results 1 - 100 of about 792,000. Search took 0.32 seconds.

    Searched the web for Quebecers. Results 1 - 100 of about 29,500. Search took 0.15 seconds.

    1. Re:they are Quebecois up there by HughsOnFirst · · Score: 1

      so when I type in

      Québécois

      I get Qubcois ??

      and años comes out as anos.

      hmm. one is :year" and the other is "ass(opening)

      A bit usa centric perhaps ?

    2. Re:they are Quebecois up there by JohnBowman · · Score: 1

      Quebecers _is_ the English word. It's CP, CBC and, apparently, CTV style.

      --

      JohnnyB - johnbowman.net

  23. Canada Just Wants To Feel Important by Macaco+Do+Mar · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    No offense to any of you hosers out there, but i think that Canada just wants to feel like a real country. I mean come on, all they have are mooses, hocky, and french fries with gravy. I say let them have this one if it makes them feel like a real nation.

    1. Re:Canada Just Wants To Feel Important by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

      You didn't even spell hockey right you fucking American retard. Don't ever come up here or we'll shoot you.

    2. Re:Canada Just Wants To Feel Important by Skier4Life · · Score: 1

      You forgot our free health care and social programs. We are also the only G7 country to be in the black.

      --


      [SIG] Far better to be thought a fool then to post on /. and remove all doubt.
    3. Re:Canada Just Wants To Feel Important by PainKilleR-CE · · Score: 1

      I love how governments can claim to have a budget surplus when they are in debt. Yeah, I could save a lot of money if I didn't pay my debts, too.

      I'm not saying that this isn't a good thing for Canada, since the other governments don't seem to understand the idea of spending less money than they bring in, but being in the black when you have a multi-billion dollar debt is just a matter of accounting rather than a grounded view of reality.

      --
      -PainKilleR-[CE]
    4. Re:Canada Just Wants To Feel Important by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Deficits and surpluses are the net budgetary amount for a given year, while debts are the accumulated sum of deficits past.

      The fact that the federal government of Canada carries a C$508B debt while posting a C$7B surplus means that at least that debt is being reduced, even if it is at a snail's pace.

      That surplus is AFTER paying for debt-servicing (interest) costs, and goes against the principal. Canada is alone among G7 nations paying off its principal. This is not accounting slight-of-hand, but 'grounded reality'.

      Compare this to the US, which will post a US$475B deficit this year on top of existing trillions in debt. Anyone who ever balanced a chequebook can see that the US is completely heading in the opposite and wrong direction. The result, among others, is a US$ that has lost 20%+ of its value this year against major currencies, and its largest trading partner (Canada).

    5. Re:Canada Just Wants To Feel Important by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      http://www.jmu.edu/madison/gpos225-madison2/war181 2.htm

      It's spelt hockey BTW, and the plural of moose is moose.

    6. Re:Canada Just Wants To Feel Important by JFMulder · · Score: 1

      Maybe, but they're shovelling the debt back to the provinces, the provinces to the cities and the cities to the citizen. Way to go Paul Martin. I for won't be voting for the PLC next spring. Though the alternatives pretty much suck. At least in Quebec there's an alternative to the PQ (or PLQ, depending on which side of the fence you are), and there will probably be a third alternative coming next elections.

      The federal level of government in Canada pretty much sucks and is in a dire need of a change. That's part why a lot of people in Quebec want to leave Canada.

  24. shut the fuck up, cunt flap by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    british columbia? nothing but rednecks and asians
    you're a fucking load of shit

  25. Prior art by jtheory · · Score: 2, Informative

    There's a book called Infinite Jest in which Quebecois separatist terrorists play a pretty central role in the plot.

    It takes place in the future, and the Quebecois want to secede more than ever partly because the US has taken to lofting all of their radioactive waste into an area right on the Quebec border... and Canada proper didn't object. Apparently the wasteland is prowled by feral giant fetuses and such.

    I don't imagine the PS games has much else in common with the book... but David Foster Wallace certainly gave no apologies for his plot, so why should they? Who complains about terrorist plots anywhere else, for however outlandish reasons?

    --
    There are only 10 types of people: those who understand decimal, those who don't, and, uh, 8 other types I forget.
  26. Closing in. by JohnLi · · Score: 1

    Man, it's getting so you cant kill anyone anymore...

    --
    The / in /. would be more accurate if it leaned to the left. http://www.metricnut.com
  27. Shut up by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    You fucking Alberta redneck idiot. Stop blaiming Quebec for Canada's problems. Listen the separatist movement has been completely undermined because their only valid complaints have been taken care of. They had some very valid complaints IMHO. As an added bonus I speak both languages fluently and I was born and raised in BC. As far as Toronto goes I really don't understand what the hell you have against Torontonians. Maybe it's jealousy?

  28. What FLQ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I can't believe posts on this about there still being an FLQ terrorist organization. Hell the separatist movement in Quebec is pretty much dead. They have a liberal party government provincially now and the Bloc is probably going to get whooped in this coming election. They got what they wanted which frankly was the only way to go. You can whine about Quebec all you want but we were way better off passifying them then antagonizing them. I think the IRA is a perfect example here folks. Thatcher and her predecessors played hardball with them and they just fought harder. As soon as honest negotiation was started the situation got a hell of a lot better and it looks like the whole thing in Northern Ireland is pretty much over too.

  29. Who gives a damn by xQuarkDS9x · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Really, who gives a damn if a bunch of Quebec folks complained? I sure as hell wouldn't since the rest of the other provinces in Canada hate Quebec anyway.

    And as I recall this wasn't the only game to have Quebec in it. Wasn't there a flight sim game a few years ago that had you do runs against Quebec? :D

    --
    You must master your joystick like a fisherman masters bait! - Gimpy
  30. That's very sad by Programmer_In_Traini · · Score: 0

    I find it very sad to see how easily Americans can make the headlines in newspapers worldwide because mr. president got the flu but that Canada, for some reason cannot get some credit when an important part of its history is attacked.

    Canada & Quebec always had cautious relationships ever since the separation thing came up (and remains)

    FLQ has been a key group in Quebec's history. and personnaly I'd hate to see its name get dirty because of game that gives a false image of them.

    I couldn't care less about FLQ's goals but I do respect what they did or at least what they tried to achieve because, back then, it mattered very much.

    I choose to post this because I saw a lot of discriminatory and flames in this thread about Quebec and I find it very sad that you (americans) ask for respect everywhere you walk but can't give the same respect to your neighbors.

    --
    If you look like your passport photo, you're too ill to travel. - Will Kommen
  31. "Oh this is f**king weak!" - Eric Cartman by Moggie68 · · Score: 1

    The hypocrisy of North Americans never ceases to amaze me. It's quite allright to label every Arab in the planet a hardcore terrorist, but if someone lets out a game where there are North American white terrorists, an outrcy is instant. I thought Jamaican limbo dancers had gone as low as man can go. Sadly, I was very wrong...

    1. Re:"Oh this is f**king weak!" - Eric Cartman by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It is worth noting that in media and movies lately, they have been very careful to avoid labelling Arabs as terrorists for fear of the politically correct crowd with false perceptions. How many movies have came out since 9/11 featuring terrorists? Tons. Except they are always Russian nationalists, Serbs, or something like that because people are afraid to make an association between Arabs and terrorism.

      Frankly it would not surprise me that they chose Quebec separatists as a topic simply because the issue was "dead" and noone would be angered, only they were wrong.

  32. as a canadian by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    As a Canadian, I feel quebec was over reacting as usual and they shouldn't stick their head in the videogame business. They've already screwed box art up for the rest of Canada (they have to be bilingual) and now they're trying to screw the games themselves

    1. Re:as a canadian by Programmer_In_Traini · · Score: 0

      Yeah, such a typical response from an anglo-canadian, how can you possibly have to protect your language when it isn't even threatened.

      How can you possibly understand that french is losing ground every year in Canadian territory.

      Yeah, I know, you don't really care, because you don't speak french at all do you? In fact, you don't care if you don't know french because it is dying and that all french canadians like me are learning english anyway. Most importantly, you don't care because you weren't born french.

      So you see, before you start speaking against us trying to protect our language, why don't you walk a mile or two in our shoes.

      Imagine the contrary situation where english is a minor language in Canada and where french was dominant, wouldn't you try to preserve your language ?

      Anyway, let us not bring that 200 years old discussion in /. This is not the place for that nor will it serve any good even if it was the place.

      --
      If you look like your passport photo, you're too ill to travel. - Will Kommen
  33. En Russie Sovietique... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    les separatistes se jouent de TOI!

    1. Re:En Russie Sovietique... by Will2k_is_here · · Score: 1

      Mod parent up - very clever.

  34. Speaking as a Canadian.. by SuiteSisterMary · · Score: 1

    ..Canadians aren't dismayed. Militant Quebecois who love to take offence are dismayed.

    Slightly OT, but have you ever noticed that in almost every SF story or RPG that mentions Quebec, they always seem to break away and turn Communist?

    --
    Vintage computer games and RPG books available. Email me if you're interested.
    1. Re:Speaking as a Canadian.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Such As...

    2. Re:Speaking as a Canadian.. by JFMulder · · Score: 1

      Yeah, there's even a new version of the Risk board game Where Canada is pretty much non existant, United States are blown up in a few countries and there is a Republique du Quebec.

      I don't remember the name of the book series (though I think it's a cyberpunk one), but there is one where Quebec is not a country and are xenophobes and killing english speakers on sight. Like that would happen! (The killing part)

      Canadians aren't dismayed. Militant Quebecois who love to take offence are dismayed

      Heck, my father has been a separatist from day one, and he doesn't even take offence at the game. In fact, we only have an Xbox at home and he was kinda bummed because the game is only for the PS2 and I won't be able to rent it.

  35. Yet Middle Eastern Terrorists are OK? by MonkeyCookie · · Score: 1

    I find it strange that shooting at Quebec terrorists is labeled offensive, yet it perfectly acceptable to make games where you can shoot at Middle Eastern terrorists or Latin American guerillas.

    Does anyone else find this strange?

    1. Re:Yet Middle Eastern Terrorists are OK? by Will2k_is_here · · Score: 1

      ABBA

      In general, I think this is acceptable because the popular view is most terrorists are Arabs, however, we must remember that most Arabs are not terrorists.

      Take Command & Conquer Generals for example. The GLA (terrorists) were Arabs because, face the facts, we are fighting terrorists of Arab background (Al-Qaida and the boys).

  36. Harmless to society by metamatic · · Score: 1

    Suicide is only harmless to society if the victim is truly friendless, unloved and nothing but a burden to others.

    The problem is, most suicides *aren't* worthless friendless unlovable human beings. They're just ill.

    --
    GCHQ Quantum Insert installed. If only our tongues were made of glass, how much more careful we would be when we speak
    1. Re:Harmless to society by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Can I kill someone like this since its not harmful to society?

  37. Now they take this? by bendit · · Score: 1

    So sad that Quebec takes more tax dollars per capita than any other Province now they have to take what sounds like super-fun battle in TO subway game levels from us. Damn you Quebec. Damn you straight to the very small trough the rest of us have to feed from.

  38. dude - they killed five people and injured more... by deadsquid · · Score: 3, Informative
    ...with their "very clean" actions involving bombs and gunfire. Perhaps you should do a little reading on the FLQ.

    Their bombing of the Montreal Stock exchange injured 27 people. They planted several mailbox bombs which injured several people, some critically. Their bombs killed three people, and their guns killed a couple more, and that's not counting M. Laporte's death by strangulation.

    They were terrorists, and they hurt people. Yes they targeted itms that were symbolic (to them) of what they considered to be an opressive regime, but the collateral damage destroyed peoples lives. They scared people because of those injuries and deaths to further their cause. That's what terrorism is, and terrorists is what the FLQ, or at least the more extreme elements of the FLQ, were. Do a little reading on the FLQ's

    --
    Idiot, n. A member of a large and powerful tribe whose influence in human affairs has always been dominant
  39. Aha! by deadsquid · · Score: 1

    So that's why Men Without Hats came from Montreal. It all makes sense now.

    --
    Idiot, n. A member of a large and powerful tribe whose influence in human affairs has always been dominant
  40. rather than face a real-life storm of angry Quebec by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    rather than face a real-life storm of angry Quebecers.


    Definately something you don't want to do. Remember when Maurice Richard got suspended for hitting a referee? The city rioted.
  41. We would NEVER do that. by JFMulder · · Score: 1

    We would start shooting anglophones here before of moving to Toronto's subway...

    Just fscking with you guys. ;) Personnally I dispise all terrorist groups, whatever the cause.

  42. Maybe it's because the FLQ isn't dead... by Mashiki · · Score: 1

    FLQ Story 1, happened this weekPolice said they caught the men as they were trying to cut down a federalist symbol at the townhall with a chainsaw. Investigators said they later found several homemade pipe bombs in a suspect's car.

    The graffiti included the words Canadians Go Home, Quebec Libre (A Free Quebec) and Fusion Montreal.

    The letters FLQ, which stands for Front de liberation du Quebec, were also spray-painted onto the building. The separatist terrorist organization was responsible for the murder of provincial cabinet minister Pierre Laporte back in October 1970.

    FLQ Story 2 same POV, different source.MONTREAL - Seven francophone men between the ages of 19 and 49 will appear in court Wednesday to answer to a host of charges related to the defacing the former Baie D'Urfe town hall with separatist slogans.

    Some of the messages included "Une ile, une ville francaise", "Free Quebec" and "Go home Canadians." The vandals signed their worked "FLQ."

    --
    Om, nomnomnom...