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On Being a Gamer in Iraq
The increasingly excellent games coverage from MTV continues, with Stephen Totilo's conversation with an Iraqi gamer (Flash site, video in upper left-hand corner). Wisam, the 23 year old gamer Totilo speaks with, shares a few stories with the reporter about his life in Iraq. He gained some notoriety on the web after sitting for an interview with the 'Alive in Baghdad' blog, but at the moment he's only interested in games and having something to do. A recent graduate of his city's English department, current circumstances in the city makes it hard for him to find meaningful work. From the article: "The American-led overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime changed Wisam's taste in games. He and his gamer friends used to enjoy first-person shooters like Medal of Honor and Call of Duty. Then a real war started around him. 'We hate the attacking, the gunfire in games,' Wisam said. 'We started to hate it.' In fact, there's only one game with guns he can still tolerate. 'Grand Theft Auto is the exception. Because Grand Theft Auto is like us.'"
In this post-Columbine world, is it anything like finding porn and listening to music on a Commodre from Afghanistan?
(Sorry, could not resist - the old timers would know what I'm talking about)
The purpose of playing video games is often to escape reality. When you're surrounded by a war, a war game might not be the best game to play.
How long before Jack Thompson claims that GTA is responsible for the insurgency int Iraq?
Sadly I'm not sure if this is a joke or a serious question.
Just one quick question. Which ones are the bad guys again?
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
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There are many tongues to talk, and but few heads to think. -Victor Hugo
He and his gamer friends used to enjoy first-person shooters like Medal of Honor and Call of Duty. Then a real war started around him.
And ofcourse according to the Bush administration those people didn't have any freedom and couldn't enjoy the things we had here. Amazing how much of the official stories turn into pure falsified information whenever you're coming into contact with information residing from someone who actually lives in the region itself...
In fact, there's only one game with guns he can still tolerate. 'Grand Theft Auto is the exception. Because Grand Theft Auto is like us.'"
In related news, Jack Thompson has filed suit against Rockstar Games and the ESRB for destabilizing the middle east and causing the insurgency in Iraq.
Darth --
Nil Mortifi, Sine Lucre
And, if anyone knows the answer to this question, can you please CC:president@whitehouse.gov?
-Eric
SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.