Venezuelan anger at computer game

[Nachie]

:angry: Venezuelan anger at computer game :angry:

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41687000/jpg/_41687552_merc203.jpg
The original Mercenaries game was released last year

---

Venezuelan politicians have complained about a forthcoming "shoot-em-up" computer game that simulates an invasion of the South American nation.

In production by Los Angeles-based Pandemic Studios, Mercenaries 2: World In Flames is based around the overthrow of an imaginary Venezuelan "tyrant".

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has long accused the US of planning to invade, something Washington denies.

His supporters say the game aims to drum up support for a real invasion.

'Realistic possibility'

Pandemic has insisted that the title - due to be released next year - is solely about entertainment.

"Pandemic has no ties to the US government," Greg Richardson, the firm's vice president of commercial operations, told the Associated Press.

"Pandemic Studios is a private company, focusing solely on the development of interactive entertainment."

Yet Pandemic's publicist Chris Norris said its designers "always want to have a rip from the headlines".

He added: "Although a conflict doesn't necessarily have to be happening, it's realistic enough to believe that it could eventually happen."

However, on its website Pandemic lists a game called "Full Spectrum Warrior / Army Training", which it describes as a "squad-level, dismounted, light infantry training simulator created for use by the US Army".

Messes with oil

Mr Chavez and the US have been at daggers drawn for most of the eight years since he came to power in 1998.

In addition to repeatedly accusing Washington of seeking to overthrow him, Mr Chavez has greatly increased state control over its oil industry, the world's fourth largest, and responsible for 15% of US supplies.

In Mercenaries 2: World In Flames, gamers play soldiers sent to overthrow "a power-hungry tyrant [who] messes with Venezuela's oil supply, sparking an invasion that turns the country into a war zone".

Venezuelan congressman Ismael Garcia, a supporter of Mr Chavez, said the computer game was preparation work for a real invasion.

"I think the US government knows how to prepare campaigns of psychological terror so they can make things happen later," he said.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/5016514.stm

[Cheung Mo]

Wow...Most countries' citizens are too stupid to elect politicians who tell the truth about Washington's agenda so plainly, so clearly, and so honestly.

[JimmyC]

My boys love to play this Grand Theft Auto III and Vice City game. They're funny. I don't think anyone takes it too seriously. These politicians from Venezuela who are upset by this...did they object to the GTA stuff? Isn't that a bit hypocritical to only discover their anger when it'a about South America?

And who says it's about THEIR country? There are a bunch of them that are always having some crazy leftist insurgents trying to make a buck by kidnapping and blackmailing and making people pay tolls to drive down the street.

The Ven People need a life!

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

I liked the first Mercenaries game. It was a bit like GTA except with heavier weapons and military vehicles http://websmileys.com/sm/evil/210.gif

I wonder if this one will be as good as the first?


Venezuelan congressman Ismael Garcia, a supporter of Mr Chavez, said the computer game was preparation work for a real invasion.

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! That's fucking ridiculous. Real-life military operations are nothing like an overblown driving/shooting game.

[Ander]

I am inclined to say that this is kinda stupid. It's a fucking game, not a mental preparation for the invasion of Venezuela.

[Comrade-Z]

Dang it! When are communists going to develop some cool communist video games? You know, like...

:ph34r: :hammer: Urban Guerrilla II: Spartacus Returns :hammer: :ph34r:

In this first-person-shooter, you play the character of Karl Strassmann, a member of the newly-formed Proletarian League of Germany. The year is 2032. A proletarian uprising has recently engulfed the city of Berlin. You must join your comrades in the struggle against the Bundeswehr, Germany's military forces, and the Volkskampf fascist paramilitary forces, who threaten to crush the emerging proletarian revolution. Fight your way through complex urban environments. Smash the Fash. Make history.

:)

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

Originally posted by Comrade-[email protected] 10 2006, 03:32 AM
Dang it! When are communists going to develop some cool communist video games? You know, like...

:ph34r: :hammer: Urban Guerrilla II: Spartacus Returns :hammer: :ph34r:

In this first-person-shooter, you play the character of Karl Strassmann, a member of the newly-formed Proletarian League of Germany. The year is 2032. A proletarian uprising has recently engulfed the city of Berlin. You must join your comrades in the struggle against the Bundeswehr, Germany's military forces, and the Volkskampf fascist paramilitary forces, who threaten to crush the emerging proletarian revolution. Fight your way through complex urban environments. Smash the Fash. Make history.

:)
Sounds like a good idea, although I would add at least a century to the date in order to both make it more believable, and also give one an excuse to introduce flashy toys like sniper railguns, smart rifles, experimental weapons and all that jazz.

[Guest1]

Please keep in mind the company behind this develops simulators for the US military, and I do believe the game is specifically about Venezuela.

[Comrade-Z]

Originally posted by Che y [email protected] 10 2006, 03:53 AM
Please keep in mind the company behind this develops simulators for the US military, and I do believe the game is specifically about Venezuela.
Yeah, clearly there's some entanglement of interests there. It would obviously increase this company's profits if the U.S. got in another war in Venezuela, for instance, leading to greater funding for the U.S. military (which would include combat simulators).

[PRC-UTE]

Originally posted by Comrade-[email protected] 10 2006, 03:32 AM
Dang it! When are communists going to develop some cool communist video games? You know, like...

:ph34r: :hammer: Urban Guerrilla II: Spartacus Returns :hammer: :ph34r:

In this first-person-shooter, you play the character of Karl Strassmann, a member of the newly-formed Proletarian League of Germany. The year is 2032. A proletarian uprising has recently engulfed the city of Berlin. You must join your comrades in the struggle against the Bundeswehr, Germany's military forces, and the Volkskampf fascist paramilitary forces, who threaten to crush the emerging proletarian revolution. Fight your way through complex urban environments. Smash the Fash. Make history.

:)
there is a game along those lines, can't recall the name, but you play as a miner in a revolt. the logo on the game was an ak and red star.

[which doctor]

Originally posted by REPOMAN+Jun 9 2006, 11:49 PM--> (REPOMAN @ Jun 9 2006, 11:49 PM)
Comrade-[email protected] 10 2006, 03:32 AM
Dang it! When are communists going to develop some cool communist video games? You know, like...

:ph34r: :hammer: Urban Guerrilla II: Spartacus Returns :hammer: :ph34r:

In this first-person-shooter, you play the character of Karl Strassmann, a member of the newly-formed Proletarian League of Germany. The year is 2032. A proletarian uprising has recently engulfed the city of Berlin. You must join your comrades in the struggle against the Bundeswehr, Germany's military forces, and the Volkskampf fascist paramilitary forces, who threaten to crush the emerging proletarian revolution. Fight your way through complex urban environments. Smash the Fash. Make history.

:)
there is a game along those lines, can't recall the name, but you play as a miner in a revolt. the logo on the game was an ak and red star. [/b]
Are you talking about Revolution?

I think that's the name of the game. It's the one where you start your own "faction" in a former soviet state and you try to gain power.

[Psy]

Originally posted by REPOMAN+Jun 10 2006, 04:49 AM--> (REPOMAN @ Jun 10 2006, 04:49 AM)
Comrade-[email protected] 10 2006, 03:32 AM
Dang it! When are communists going to develop some cool communist video games? You know, like...

:ph34r: :hammer: Urban Guerrilla II: Spartacus Returns :hammer: :ph34r:

In this first-person-shooter, you play the character of Karl Strassmann, a member of the newly-formed Proletarian League of Germany. The year is 2032. A proletarian uprising has recently engulfed the city of Berlin. You must join your comrades in the struggle against the Bundeswehr, Germany's military forces, and the Volkskampf fascist paramilitary forces, who threaten to crush the emerging proletarian revolution. Fight your way through complex urban environments. Smash the Fash. Make history.

:)
there is a game along those lines, can't recall the name, but you play as a miner in a revolt. the logo on the game was an ak and red star.[/b]
Do you mean Red Fraction (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Faction)?

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

Originally posted by Che y [email protected] 10 2006, 03:53 AM
Please keep in mind the company behind this develops simulators for the US military, and I do believe the game is specifically about Venezuela.
So what? Have you even played the original Mercenaries? It's about as far from realistic shooters you can get this side of Serious Sam. You can survive a tank shell in the face for fuck's sake.


and I do believe the game is specifically about Venezuela.

There's no reason to believe they're doing anything but cashing in on the fact that Venezuala is in the news due to the antagonisms between them and the US. I seriously hope you don't believe all this rot about this new game being a brainwashing technique designed to make all red-blooded Americans howl for Venezualan blood.

That's parsimony in action, folks.

[OneBrickOneVoice]

Mercenaries 1 was the shit. I'll probably get this one too because the first one was good. I don't really think much politically when I play video games but I bet that if the US came out with a grand theft auto style game where you're a soldier in Iraq and you shoot up insurgents, they would have tons more support for the war :lol:

[Nachie]

Just for the hell of it, what are some computer/video games that could be considered "revolution" and/or anti-capitalist themed? With the understanding of course that all such games are only seeking to exploit the revolution chic. Here are some that I can think of:

1. Guerrilla (was this really on NES, or just a ROM? there was a picture of Che in it)
2. Red Faction
3. State of Emergency <--- I gotta admit that one was fun
4. Crusader: No Remorse

[Comrade-Z]

Do you mean Red Fraction?

Ah, thanks for the heads-up on that. :)

On a side note, if anyone here plays Sid Meier&#39;s Alpha Centauri, I made a wicked Cold War mod (http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=137007) that you might want to try out.

Ever wanted to play as the head of a united Latin American league and kick some U.S. imperialist ass?

Or, for the Leninists and Stalinists out there, ever wanted to play as premier of the USSR?

Or, for the Maoists out there, ever wanted to develop China into a great socialist world power?

=D

[The Grey Blur]

If the next Mercenaries is about "toppling a corrupt dictator" then wouldn&#39;t America be a better setting than Venezuala?

Ye gods, elements of trendy Bush-bashing seeping in...must spew Marxist rhetoric&#33;

[Dreckt]

These politicians from Venezuela who are upset by this...did they object to the GTA stuff?

What does GTA have to do with overthrowing a "brutal dictator"?


And who says it&#39;s about THEIR country?

Maybe because that is the plot of the game?

Anyway. I think the most pro-American game is Freedom Fighters, in which the Soviet Union takes over the world and then invades the US. I&#39;d say these games are a form of warmongering, but nothing serious. I don&#39;t think the creators of these games really think about who the good guys really are. Maybe some do, some do not. America has never been portrayed as the evil force, it is only taken over by evil forces or invaded or something, portrayed like it is a very weak nation in which terrorists can gain access to very easily (24, Alias anyone?). It is, however, never mentioned why terrorists wants to destroy America, and if it does, then they just happen to hate that specific nation - not the real reason, that the US invades and controls other nations and other people for their own gain.

How many games, for example, have been released since 9/11 that portray the terrorists as the good guys and the US as evil, because of their meddling in world affairs?

[Brekisonphilous]

I think it&#39;s fucked up to make a videogame of these sorts against any country. All it is is war mongering. It will make tensions worse between US and Ven.
Just the U.S. adding more &#39;communist&#39; propaganda to the long ass list.

[Ander]

Originally posted by [email protected] 10 2006, 06:43 PM
State of Emergency <--- I gotta admit that one was fun

I haven&#39;t played this game in a long time...I remember it kicks ass though. Multiplayer with a bunch of friends provided many hours of fun.

[Zero]

This reminds me of all those people who are anti-video games, anti-toy guns, anti this, anti that...

I think it will be one of the most hypocritcal things ever if a generation is cut off from toy guns so much, and video games so much that they express their hatred out in their real life and start massacring eachother. It&#39;s almost a afterthought of these people. They&#39;ve gotta ruin the fun now, so that people can die in the future.

Like those little fuckers who sued Rockstar for the Hot Coffee mod. Probably all funded my M&#036;. >.>

[Lacrimi de Chiciură]

I am a fan of video games, but I find it annoying that so many of them have blatantly pro-U.S. imperialism plots and themes. Such as all of the "Tom Clancy games". In one of them you invade Cuba after the death of Castro.


I liked the first Mercenaries game. It was a bit like GTA except with heavier weapons and military vehicles user posted image

I wonder if this one will be as good as the first?

QUOTE
Venezuelan congressman Ismael Garcia, a supporter of Mr Chavez, said the computer game was preparation work for a real invasion.


HAHAHAHAHAHA&#33;&#33;&#33; That&#39;s fucking ridiculous. Real-life military operations are nothing like an overblown driving/shooting game.

It could still be a good game (gameplay-wise, not story-wise), despite the fact that its plot is reactionary as hell, but I would rather play a game where you get to fight real "bad guys". So many video gamers are right-wing militarist jerks; this is just catering to their fantasies.

[Dreckt]

This reminds me of all those people who are anti-video games, anti-toy guns, anti this, anti that...

A little bit of off-topic, but I heard on TV a couple of days ago that the US will put through a new kind of bill to restrict the use of "inapropriate language" (fuck, ***** etc) in movies. Can anybody confirm this?

[Angry Young Man]

Originally posted by NoXion+Jun 10 2006, 03:38 AM--> (NoXion @ Jun 10 2006, 03:38 AM)
Comrade&#045;[email protected] 10 2006, 03:32 AM
Dang it&#33; When are communists going to develop some cool communist video games? You know, like...

:ph34r: :hammer: Urban Guerrilla II: Spartacus Returns :hammer: :ph34r:

In this first-person-shooter, you play the character of Karl Strassmann, a member of the newly-formed Proletarian League of Germany. The year is 2032. A proletarian uprising has recently engulfed the city of Berlin. You must join your comrades in the struggle against the Bundeswehr, Germany&#39;s military forces, and the Volkskampf fascist paramilitary forces, who threaten to crush the emerging proletarian revolution. Fight your way through complex urban environments. Smash the Fash. Make history.

:)
Sounds like a good idea, although I would add at least a century to the date in order to both make it more believable, and also give one an excuse to introduce flashy toys like sniper railguns, smart rifles, experimental weapons and all that jazz. [/b]
Do you mean like Red Faction?
Basically, you are a miner who is being oppressed by the evil owners. You hear of a resistance and the miners revolt against the owners. Worth a look. It&#39;s fun once you get automatic rifles&#33;&#33; :D

[Angry Young Man]

Have you noticed how ALL Tom Clancy&#39;s games are about shooting leftists in a way. I think his last one was shooting at the Zapas. Pisses me off.

[Axel1917]

Originally posted by Che y [email protected] 10 2006, 03:53 AM
Please keep in mind the company behind this develops simulators for the US military, and I do believe the game is specifically about Venezuela.
I was not aware of this specific fact here. It looks like they need to find a way to get people to believe in such propaganda. I wonder what a screenshot of the Venezuelan "tyrant" is going to look like.

From Nachie:

Just for the hell of it, what are some computer/video games that could be considered "revolution" and/or anti-capitalist themed? With the understanding of course that all such games are only seeking to exploit the revolution chic. Here are some that I can think of:


1. Guerrilla (was this really on NES, or just a ROM? there was a picture of Che in it)

I am not sure what you mean by this one. There is an NES game known as Guerrilla War by SNK. In Japan, the game was known as Guevara, in which player 1 was Che Guevara and Player 2 was Fidel Castro. The US version had the names removed (they are just called Player 1 and Player 2). However, you can easily tell that the map resembles Cuba.

[Janus]

This is pretty old news.

However, it&#39;s not like Chavez hasn&#39;t prepared for a possible US invasion.

I could&#39;ve sworn that the Venezuelans got upset at another game though; Ghost recon keeps coming to my head.

[bayano]

leftist games include: guerrilla war, red faction, state of emergency, tropico

but the rightist games just go on and on. frankly, tho, this mercs 2 game is a pretty big insult. if i recall correctly, the video game industry rakes in more profits than the film industry does in the us Empire, and teaching consumers incredibly imperialistic shit about venezuela is really fucked. im sure if the confederacy was still around they would have video games of lynchings and capturing africans for slaves, and just like that this is programming the minds of consumers in a really violent way. people who pay no mind to games like this then support genocidal positions in the real world. im panamanian, i know.

[Zero]

Originally posted by "Dreckt"
A little bit of off-topic, but I heard on TV a couple of days ago that the US will put through a new kind of bill to restrict the use of "inapropriate language" (fuck, ***** etc) in movies. Can anybody confirm this?

Yeah, what was just passed was some "indecency" bill or some other shit. It raised the fine for radio and TV stations that put through inaproprite language up to 1.5 million dollars. Starting is like 400 thousand. It&#39;s fucking insane.

[Ander]

I downloaded the demo for Tropico a while back and it&#39;s pretty damn fun. It&#39;s really awesome for a demo too..

How good are Venezuela&#39;s defenses? Especially against an invasion from the US?