Politicians Angry At Forthcoming Medal Of Honor Game

Peter MacKay (Canada's Defence Minister) has spoken out against Electronic Arts' use of the Taliban in the next Medal of Honor game.

Canada's defence minister has lashed out at an upcoming video game that allows players to take on the role of Taliban fighters and kill U.S. troops.

The single-player mode in the video game Medal of Honor, set for release on Oct. 12, follows a group of elite U.S. soldiers operating in Afghanistan. But the multiplayer mode, which pits players from all over the world against each other, will allow people to play as Taliban fighters.

Canadian Defence Minister Peter MacKay spoke critically about the game Monday.

"Canadian and allied efforts to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan, a country that has known only war and oppression for far too long, is not a game," he said in a written statement. "The men and women of the Canadian Forces, our allies, aid workers, and innocent Afghans are being shot at, and sometimes killed, by the Taliban. This is reality.

"I find it wrong to have anyone, children in particular, playing the role of the Taliban. I'm sure most Canadians are uncomfortable and angry about this."

MacKay's comments echo those of UK Defence Secretary Liam Fox earlier this week. However, neither Canadian nor British soldiers are featured in the game.

Britain's Defence Secretary Liam Fox has defended his comments calling on retailers to ban the forthcoming Medal of Honor video game from their stores.

On Sunday, Mr Fox said he was "disgusted" by the game, which allows players to adopt the role of the Taliban in the Afghan war.

The game's publishers Electronic Arts said the minister had portrayed parts of the game inaccurately.

The government said Dr Fox was expressing a "personal view".

A spokesperson for Dr Fox said he "stood by" his comments.

"The point remains that part of this game allows you to play the part of the Taliban attacking ISAF troops in the area of central Helmand where British troops are operating."

On Sunday, Dr Fox said that it was "shocking that someone would think it acceptable to recreate the acts of the Taliban against British soldiers".

"At the hands of the Taliban, children have lost fathers and wives have lost husbands," he said.

"It's hard to believe any citizen of our country would wish to buy such a thoroughly un-British game. I would urge retailers to show their support for our armed forces and ban this tasteless product."

On the other hand, US military personnel don't seem too fussed.

By: Shelldrake