Summary- War games that relate to the current events are becoming increasingly popular. One such company, Kuma, releases missions based off of the latest actual military missions in the form of video games in a matter of days apart. It gave Americans a look at the battlefield that they so desperately wondered about with their curiosity. Real life events change the game industry almost instantaneously. For example, after 9/11, there were a decreased amount of war based video games because it would heighten the fear of terrorist attacks. The greatest amount of war game, are actually based off World War II. These include titles such as Call of Duty or Medal of Honor. It was very easy for the video game companies to recreate these wars because of the easy one sided moral stand. The Nazis were the obvious "bad guys". Some brave companies actually take on more challenging wars as well such as the Vietnam War, it is highly controversial due to the purpose and origin of the war. The morally right side is unclear which makes it hard for the game developers to pin an adjective on an army collectively. Many veterans of war are against the production of games based on their war because they feel as if it trivializes the war. These leads to controversial moral questions and of honor. These new games in addition with the current war has also impacted other war based products. Airsoft rifle sales have gone up as well as army action figures as the public becomes increasingly interested in replicating a mini, harmless version of a war. As time progresses and the war continues, interest will continue to grow with every new generation. In 2004, war based video games topped all of the other genres in sales with a rather large lead. With these new games comes the question of realism. When people debate over games the topic of realism often comes up. This is a very broad term that encompasses many different aspects. It could be historical accuracy, sound accuracy, gun accuracy, or visual appearance. This leads to many war companies enlisting many war veterans in their ranks (the ones who support it) to clarify certain events and check the accuracy of the historical content. Probably the most realistic of these games is America's Army which is actually created by the Army. It stresses the parallelism of the game and war. There is no tolerance for friendly fire and the lives of the soldiers are taken very seriously with strict rules. Not all games are played through the eyes of the "hero", some games play in the eyes of the enemy. This is extremely controversial due to the fact that is creates a sick factor. For example, a game call JFK Reloaded actually assigns the player to kill JFK. This is a growing problem as games become more and more realistic. There is a moral conflict and complexity that has the potential to lower the fun of the game. These games also have a opposite genre dubbed the "antiwar games" games such as They Rule allow the player to solve things diplomatically. These games are undoubtedly less popular. Why do humans like war games so much? It might be human nature, with these new technological development, games have evolved, but on a structural level, they are really the same as before because war is the same.
Quote- "The rules may have changed, but the old game remains" (Halter 334).
Reaction- This quote was one of the most powerful in the whole book, and a fitting ending sentence to this wonderful book. Through the history of war games and actual war, which are tied so closely together, there have been many technological improvements. There also have been new rules and ways to play, but the core idea, the idea that we can replicate war without being in an actual one remains. This is an idea that seems appealing to human nature, to feel excitement and face danger, without actually having to be in any real danger. It is amazing what this book showed. Some of the ideas brought up were very revolutionary and this book is truly one of a kind. Where else are you going to find a book that links the history of war with games? I would recommend this book to anyone interested in either war or games in general because it was sure fascinating to me.
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