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Dubai: A new board game called War on Terror: The Boardgame will be released next month in the UK but will not be making its Gulf debut for quite a while, according to retailers in the UAE.
The game involves trading in oil and dealing with terrorist attacks. The tag line of the game is: "You're either with them or against them or sometimes you're both" with a promotional blurb that reads, "It's got suicide bombers, political kidnaps and intercontinental war. It's got filthy propaganda, rampant paranoia and secret treaties ..." yet only 5,000 copies will initially be produced according to the website www.waronterrortheboardgame.com
Created by Andy Tompkins and Andrew Sheerin, two website developers from the UK, the game has already come under heavy criticism. However, according to Sheerin some people have misunderstood the game.
"I think we were both surprised at being called 'sick' and accused of profiting from others' pain and distress namely, victims of terrorism. But those people simply haven't understood what the game's about they hear 'suicide bomber game' and draw their own conclusions," said Sheerin.
A spokesperson from Magrudys in Dubai said they had not yet heard of the game nor had they received any enquiries.
"We don't stock anything related to war. I don't think it will be very popular because parents will not want to encourage their children to play a game on war."
The subject of the game is not surprising considering current affairs, he said.
"People are always trying to cash in on the latest craze or events," he said.
The controversial board game will not hit the shelves of Toys "R" Us very soon either. Jogesh Mehra, manager of the Dubai branch, said the game was unknown to him.
"If there is controversy around it or any issues then we won't put it on sale. We haven't received any information about it yet," he said.
Sheerin said they had taken care not to fall into preconceived notions of terrorists as being any particular group, religion or race.
"It's a sad fact that in this country [the UK] and definitely the US, "terrorism" now means "fanatical Islam." That's so wrong and short-sighted. The majority of terrorist acts are still politically, not religiously, motivated. Where we depict terrorists in our game, we've made them fairly varied and ambiguous. Some wear turbans, some wear balaclavas, some just have large pirate-style beards.. We want to make the point that anyone can be a terrorist. A terrorist is simply what those in power say is a terrorist," he said.
Out next month
The biggest orders for the game so far have come from the UK, the US and the Netherlands.
Its British creators, both aged 30, say they have been surprised by the amount of criticism the game has generated, and say they have taken care not to depict terrorists as being of any particular race or religion.
Your comments
It's a shame that a country like the UK has allowed such a game into the market. The western world does extensive research into child psychology but on other hand they allow such games that can easily provoke young minds.
Shabbir
Dubai,UAE
I feel as though this boardgame should not be a cause of controversy, after all, there are several hundred videogames available to children that are far more sinister and some of them deal with terror and counterterror operations.
Sally
Abu Dhabi,UAE
There are better games available in the market. Games related to war/terror should be banned.
Raajkumar
Dubai,UAE
Go ahead give this game to children because it wouldn't make such a big difference considering the amount of violence that is already fed to them through the TV and internet.
Jason
Dubai,UAE
This game sounds like George W's new toy!
George
Tokyo,Japan
I agree 100 per cent with Sibi of Al Rashidiya.
Mohammad
Dubai,UAE
I very strongly feel that war/fight games highly influence the minds of the kids. I think these type of games (physical or electronic) should be blamed for the voilent attitude of today's kids. They are really dangerous.
Sohaib
Sharjah,UAE
I strongly disagree with this game. It will provoke little minds. Kids will develop such evil intent.
Sibi
Al Rashidiya,UAE
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