Battleangel

The Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) which is funded by the U.S. Defense Department to monitor “1,500 militant websites” has come to the conclusion that said “militants” have done at least one mod for Battlefield 2 that adapts the MEC for a more contemporary and factual context. Now, listen to this:

Battlefield 2 ordinarily shows U.S. troops engaging forces from China or a united Middle East coalition. But in a modified video trailer posted on Islamic websites and shown to lawmakers, the game depicts a man in Arab headdress carrying an automatic weapon into combat with U.S. invaders.

SAIC executive Eric Michael said researchers suspect Islamic militants are using video games to train recruits and condition youth to attack U.S.-led coalition forces in Iraq.

True, there are no headdresses in the original game. And the intro is new as well. But the last time I checked you can actually choose which side you want to play for. U.S., China or the MEC (and I for one always choose the two latter). By the same logic, Battlefield 2 must have been a “militant” training tool from its conception, right? Not to mention that the high-level gaming rigs required to play Battlefield 2 must be pretty scarce in places like Iraq. I hear you need electricity for starters.

The first thing to point out is how the U.S. is wasting time and money figuring out how “militants” think and where they come from. They consider every possible angle except for the elephant in the room, namely that a lot of people out there in the world (myself included) are just pissed at the U.S. for good reason. But the U.S. can do no wrong of course. And so they look for increasingly unlikely reasons for what they are witnessing.

Second, this constitutes a most deceitful attack on both legitimate resistance to U.S. hegemony AND the video game industry. After all, if video games now create “terrorists” abroad as the SAIC basically asserts, what are they doing to children at home? This angle is particularly popular in the U.S. as it takes the heat off the other elephant in the room, namely the damage done to kids that grow in a society of militarism, and perpetual war. Not to mention the very real, not staged nor digital, violence that may not be shown in blood and guts on TV but is always implied and understood, even by children.

Finally, ever heard of America’s Army … an entire game and propaganda tool paid for by U.S. to aid recruitment and change the public image and that also targets children. A game that glorifies violence and is devoid of moral implications at the same time as it demonizes and dehumanizes the seemingly uncomplicated enemy. Can you say hypocrisy?