Game Based in Iraq

[sinkoman]

Just an idea I pulled out of my ass at random.

You play as a US Marine sent to Iraq at the beginning of the war. Flashbacks every so often give insight into your life before the war (basically an education deprived redneck in a shithole southern town).

You willingly joined the Marines, and during your stay in Iraq you end up rather educated. Your squaddies and platoonmates teach you some things about economics, how the government is doing its job (or how it's not :P), and how we ended up in this war.

Eventually you learn enough about the country to realise that you really don't want to be here, that you don't even know WHAT you're trying to do here. That you're pretty much risking your life for what you believe is nothing.

So you and a band of 5 other marines eventually put together a plan to disband and join a civilian guerilla group that your platoon has been chasing through a myriad of Iraqi towns. During a violent firefight between militia men of said guerilla group, you and your squad mates see your chance, as you suddenly turn around and gun down the men you were formerly fighting for, raise a white flag, and backpeddal towards the Iraqi side of the front.

The rest of the game chronicles you trying to stop your platoon, and raise awareness of the war via a group of pirate radio shows broadcast to the UK, and then recorded and sent to be illegally broadcast through the US, with the Marines desperately trying to shut down your programs, and trying to disband the group.

/idea I randomly pulled out of my ass after reading that thread on "shitty WWII games"

[Sloth]

That would be awesome, a bit scripted - but could have a really cut and run feel to it...

[Gray Fox]

Only problem is that you would be more useful to the Iraqi resistance being beheaded and filmed.

[sinkoman]

Only problem is that you would be more useful to the Iraqi resistance being beheaded and filmed.

Well, my idea was that they disband and join a group of civilians who just want the US OUT, and could care about the rest of the US' political agenda.

A more rational, and less religiously oriented guerrilla group.

[Lucid]

**** that, turning on our own men?
That's ****ing sick. :|

[Maxi]

That story makes no sense.

[gick]

I do not like that idea.

[Mikael Grizzly]

Conflict: Desert Storm
Conflict: Desert Storm II

Two good games already making use of half of your ideas.

[Remus]

**** that, turning on our own men?
That's ****ing sick. :|

My thoughts exactly...

Also I'm sick and tired of everyone's obsession with Bush and the Iraq war:rolleyes: .

If I was going to make a war themed FPS, it would be in a completely made up world, because I don't give a shit about the politics side and besides all 20th century and contemporary wars have been done to death. However even if all the countries in my game were fiction, I bet people would still say: hey that country is like the US, that country is like Iraq etc. Jeez get a life... [/rant]

[Absinthe]

I'm no buff of patriotism or anything, but I find the idea of defecting from the army and aiding insurgents is not only treasonous, but despicable. And I'd be skeptical about how valid and legit attempts to "raise awareness" about the war would be if you're... you know... shooting and killing the very people you were fighting with previously. I'm guessing that would produce the kind of resonance you don't want back home.

Gray Fox is also right. If we're going for authenticity, you're most likely not going to be joining a ragtag group of oppressed civilians (which sounds like apologetics to me). In all likeliness, attempts at defection will eventually lead to your head being cut off and your body torched, strewn across telephone wires.

[Unfocused]

Eventually you learn enough about the country to realise that you really don't want to be here, that you don't even know WHAT you're trying to do here. That you're pretty much risking your life for what you believe is nothing.

...so you join the forces you were up against? Makes sense. :P

[Kyorisu]

Fighting your own country won't get the point across.

[15357]

No offense, but... it's kinda disturbing.

That'd be worse than GTA. In legal terms. You know how much controversy it would cause? Mowing down your 'blood brothers', so to speak?

[neptuneuk]

Controversy = sales.

Do eet.

lol

In seriousness though I agree with the guy who said a fictional war would be cool, or maybe an alternate timeline involving iraq... or in the future... or something to set it apart even more! The story is cool though.

[CptStern]

what? is this game made for like .00001% of the game buying public? I mean americans would NEVER accept shooting their own in a war that's still going on ..even non americans would have a problem with this ..I mean if the war in Iraq wasnt taboo enough, you're proposing you play as a US marine that joins the insurgency? even the least patriotic american would turn against your game

this game idea could only work if you pulled it out of it's setting ..maybe something futuristic but there's no way a developer would shoot itself in the foot by making a historical game that even remotely touched on controversy much less something so overtly offensive to a good portion of the american public

[Absinthe]

Indeed.

The treason part isn't the sticky issue, really. JC Denton in Deus Ex could have been considered a traitor because he joined the NSF. But in that game, you were turning against a puppet organization under the direction of an evil force (No Bush jokes, please). But this kind of plot device becomes very tricky when there is no black/white distinction. When the player is forced to turn against those that could by all means be considered the "good guys", things begin feeling awfully wrong. I'm not even taking the political sensitivity of the subject material into account. I mean, you'd be killing former friends and comrades seemingly on a whim.

Not to mention there's issues of how the player would be made to deal with things such as suicide bombings, torture/abuse of military men as well as civilians, and other things. Maybe if the game was open-ended and allowed the player to make his/her own moral choices and actually have an effect on the game world, it could all slide. But as a scripted game, no way.

[CptStern]

open ended world? oh I can see Jack Thompson having a field day "Call of Duty 6: Iraq, no guts no glory" is a suicide bomber simulator!!! it's training america's children to become suicide bombers. Jihad is coming to your small town soccor moms! what are YOU going to do about it?"

what about community made mods? how long before someone made a mod where you find WMD, save the people of iraq and become instant heroes ..it would probably be popular at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave

"oh Laura just another few minutes, I havent liberated/nuked Tikrit yet ..see that faction (the New order of former CIA supported Iraqi Terrorist Front) they're erecting a statue in my honor ..boy if only real life were as easy"

[clarky003]

How about playing a CIA sanctioned investor, who funds terrorists groups in the middle east in order to encourage chaos to ultimately subvert the Iranian government for divide and conquer purposes. It would be like champ manager except you'll be dealing in weapons as well as money.

[Agent.M]

I agree I think this is a pretty ****** up idea! How could you ever turn on your own men like that. They're US fighting soldiers just like you that are just doing their job and yet you betray them to join Haji F that! And your a US citizen (Hawaii) sinkoman? Dam sounds like you need to get the F out IF you own personal feelings are being reflected in your game!

[smwScott]

That's a really stupid idea. That's even worse than the typical overly patriotic crap that looks for sales by appealing to people's nationalism. The concept is just dumb. The way you obviously try to qualify the insurgency (oh, but this isn't the real insurgency, this is the totally new super cool insurgency that is secular and is only fighting for truth and justice, not those other savages) reeks of the kind of political ideology conjured up by adolescents trying to fit in with the popular political beliefs of the time. The people that would make and buy this game are just as ignorant and stupid, arguably even more so, than the "rednecks" you reference in your first post.

And why would anyone want to play as the protagonist? He's a douchebag of epic proportions. He's an uneducated, unmotivated person that joins the army because he doesn't know any better ... then suddenly decides he doesn't like it and murders the people who he had served with for months ... for a really dumb reason. God damn, I just remembered the part about pirate radio broadcasts. This is so retarded. This game is like Red Dawn made by stupid hippies.

[Lucid]

This idea wouldn't make any sense either due to :
a) You turned on your own men, why would the insurgents trust you after that?
b) When they get bored with you, they'll probably chop your head off and video tape it.
c) If you tried returning to your country, Hah... good luck evading the authorities.
d) Since we're talking about the USMC, well let's just say that your own men will probably kill you as soon as you point your rifle at them.

[Agent.M]

d) Since we're talking about the USMC, well let's just say that your own men will probably kill you as soon as you point your rifle at them.

Being an x SOF (Rangers) I can concur with that statement.

[Lucid]

Being an x SOF (Rangers) I can concur with that statement.

I'm going to boot for the USMC a few weeks after I graduate.

So I take this whole turning against your own men thing pretty personally, being in the Young Marines for the past 4 years now.

[CptStern]

so if your fellow marine was about to shoot a room full of children would you shoot him first?

[Lucid]

so if your fellow marine was about to shoot a room full of children would you shoot him first?

If they were Iraqi kids, I'd have no problem with it... little bastards are probably all fitted with bombs.

[Agent.M]

I'm going to boot for the USMC a few weeks after I graduate.

So I take this whole turning against your own men thing pretty personally, being in the Young Marines for the past 4 years now.

Special Operations Forces (SOF) which consist of several different forces SEALS, DELTA, RANGERS, FORCE RECON, SOAR, etc. I was a Ranger which is a special forces unit of the Army not a Marine, the USMC is something all together its own. And yah it is personal for me to hear things like this said, but I do realize he is only a 15 year old kid and probably doesn't know better in all fairness. Plus this is a video game forum sooo yah know. But Semper Fi man and good luck in the USMC! The USMC has some of the toughest drill instructors, so stay strong and like they say they wanna make you a "Marine" not a "soldier" o just fyi don't ever call any of them soldiers!

so if your fellow marine was about to shoot a room full of children would you shoot him first?

Once again I was a Ranger not a Marine and I'm sure it would all depend on the situation. But I don't know a single Marine that would purposively shoot a room full of children, what kind of question is that?

[CptStern]

well it happened


In the house with Ali and his 66-year-old wife, Khamisa Tuma Ali, were three of the middle-aged male members of their family, at least one daughter-in-law and four children -- 4-year-old Abdullah, 8-year-old Iman, 5-year-old Abdul Rahman and 2-month-old Asia.

Marines entered shooting, witnesses recalled. Most of the shots -- in Ali's house and two others -- were fired at such close range that they went through the bodies of the family members and plowed into walls or the floor, physicians at Haditha's hospital said....

....The Marines moved to the house next door, Fahmi said.

Inside were 43-year-old Khafif, 41-year-old Aeda Yasin Ahmed, an 8-year-old son, five young daughters and a 1-year-old girl staying with the family, according to death certificates and neighbors.

The Marines shot them at close range and hurled grenades into the kitchen and bathroom, survivors and neighbors said later. Khafif's pleas could be heard across the neighborhood. Four of the girls died screaming.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/26/AR2006052602069_2.html


what would you have done in that situation?

[Agent.M]

well it happened




http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/26/AR2006052602069_2.html


what would you have done in that situation?

Yes I know all bout that incident Stern and Im really not going to go into all that. But its obvious that your not an American and that you obviously have no BTDT. And yes situations like this happen in war its unfortunate but true. As Im sure with any other national force (not just us evil Americans) this could've happened with as well. But Ill humor you and say that If I saw one of my men getting ready to commit this act I would restrain him or If I couldn't I would shoot him in the leg.

[CptStern]

Yes I know all bout that incident Stern and Im really not going to go into all that.

you said, you didnt know of any marines who would do that ...welll


But its obvious that your not an American and that you obviously have no BTDT.

what does that have to do with anything?

And yes situations like this happen in war its unfortunate but true.

this makes it alright? "it's sad but it's part of war" is such a silly way of trying to dismiss the severity of these barbaric acts

As Im sure with any other national force (not just us evil Americans) this could've happened with as well.

what does that have to do with anything? other countries do it so it's not all that bad? why even mention that?


But Ill humor you and say that If I saw one of my men getting ready to commit this act I would restrain him or If I couldn't I would shoot him in the leg.

all of your men were involved in the killing ..including you (the CO) in this particular incident ..I'd like to think that soldiers would try to prevent it ..but in this particular case they went out of their way to conceal the crime ..soldiers not inovlved with the atual killing took part in the cover up

[sinkoman]

NO.. D: D: D:

The idea is that you defect into a group of basically Militia men trying to defend their towns (as your platoon has been committing warcrimes left and right), not defecting and joining full blown insurgents.

[Absinthe]

That's really an incredibly improbable scenario. And ignoring that, painting US troops as enemies is not going to fly well. Not now nor for a long time.

[Agent.M]

you said, you didn?t know of any marines who would do that ...well Right exactly what I said I didn?t know any personally.

what does that have to do with anything?
BTDT stands for "been there done that" a phrase you couldnt possibly understand unless you've had combat experience. You don?t know the circumstances of this in 100 percent truth! Were u there? No, all you go by is the media which buddy trust me its not always correct!

this makes it alright? "it's sad but it's part of war" is such a silly way of trying to dismiss the severity of these barbaric acts If true then yes it is a barbaric act and they should be punished for it.

what does that have to do with anything? other countries do it so it's not all that bad? why even mention that?
Because the majority of people that bring stuff up like this are just looking for yet another reason to bash America and bash US soldiers and Im getting pretty dam sick and tired of it!!

all of your men were involved in the killing ..including you (the CO) in this particular incident ..I'd like to think that soldiers would try to prevent it ..but in this particular case they went out of their way to conceal the crime ..soldiers not involved with the actual killing took part in the cover up
Once again if this is all true then they are truly at the bottom of the human species.

But hey Im sure you were quick to point out all the bad things that the terrorists did on 9-11 to us Americans as well huh? As Im sure you are quick to point out all the beheadings that Iraqis do to innocent civilians as well right?

[Qonfused]

This needs to be moved to the Politics section.

[Agent.M]

This needs to be moved to the Politics section.

No I agree thats why I said I wasnt going to get into it with Stern. Ive said my peace Im done.

[Geogaddi]

Oh wow, shooting American soldiers, sound like something right up my alley.

[CptStern]

for the sake of fairness to this thread (although there's no reason why this couldnt be in the politics forum ..it is about a treason) I wil answer his points and nothing else ..you can pm me your responses if you'd like



- just because I havent been in the field doesnt mean I cant with any certainty comment on the events of that day ...btw that article was on eye witness accounts ..the entagon seems to agree which is why 14 have been charged ...incidentily 7 have been granted immuity in exchange for testimony ..so 7 people involved in the massacre of 24 civilians including women and children some still infants are getting off scott free


- this isnt a good enough reason to bash the soldiers involved? equally disgusting is people who use supposed anti-american sentiment to wash their hands of any wrong doing ..as if criticism will erase these hideous crimes ..I really dont care if you're tired of criticism ...you make it sound like it's all unfounded ..well I assure you that it's for good reason ..people dont take too well to false wars



But hey Im sure you were quick to point out all the bad things that the terrorists did on 9-11 to us Americans as well huh?

this train of thought makes me want to eat tiny shards of glass ..ffs what does that have to do with anything?


As Im sure you are quick to point out all the beheadings that Iraqis do to innocent civilians as well right?

again please explain what this has to do with anything? they're terrorists that's what they DO: commit acts of terror ..what's the US' excuse? what the excuse of these marines? I can easily point out that you're supposed to be the good guys here .I thought that was a given? I thought that's WHY you went there in the first place

[Qonfused]

Five bucks says Agent responds.

[CptStern]

it's kinda hard not to, dontcha think? but you're also off topic :E

I'm tired of this endless debate on iraq ..but sometimes I cant help but correct what I see as false information or propaganda ..really the real tragedy is that hundreds of iraqis die every day and their deaths are all but ignored ..for the sake of supporting partisan ideology ..it's absolutely disgusting if you ask me

[Vegeta897]

I'm tired of this endless debate on iraq ..but sometimes I cant help but correct what I see as false information or propaganda
Sometimes?

lol at the slaughter of Sinko's idea.

[sinkoman]

Holly shit, this wasn't supposed to be a big political attack, it was just an idea I came up with that would be "different".

Agent M, you need to sit down and shut the **** up, seriously. You really have this air of "I was in the army so I know more about this shit than you".

I don't give a shit what you know, or where you've been, or what you've done. It was just an innocent Idea.

For ****s sake, nobody minds shooting at the US Military in games like Grand Theft Auto, or multiplayer games like the Battle Field series, but suddenly you slam a story behind it, and it becomes mortal sin.

Damnit, if this were made (which it will never be, I will bet you that), it would be JUST A GAME.

God...

I really have no vendetta against the United States Military, or the United States as a whole. Hell, I commend the US Military for going there and doing their job (aside from the off civilian incidents), even though I may not agree with what their current job IS.

[Qonfused]

it's kinda hard not to, dontcha think? but you're also off topic :E

I'm off topic? I'm not the one ranting about the War in Iraq in a game-idea thread.

[CptStern]

I'm off topic? I'm not the one ranting about the War in Iraq in a game-idea thread.

you're off topic, this whole freakin country is off topic!

[Agent.M]

it's kinda hard not to, dontcha think? but you're also off topic :E

I'm tired of this endless debate on iraq ..but sometimes I cant help but correct what I see as false information or propaganda ..really the real tragedy is that hundreds of iraqis die every day and their deaths are all but ignored ..for the sake of supporting partisan ideology ..it's absolutely disgusting if you ask me

Ok I said I was finished but I dont wanna be taken the wrong way here! Yes the US has the conception of being a "leader" of the world thus they should act like it! The amount of Iraqis that die makes me sick and I wish no one had to die if I could control it! I think Bush is an idiot and I definitely dont think we should be in Iraq. Its just that sometimes it seems as though some people outside the US make such a big deal about things that US soldiers do wrong, when in reality they are only doing the will of numbnuts Bush and their job. I guess no one is understanding what Im trying to say here and I suppose wont unless you BTDT. I just hate seeing US fighters get a bad rap because I can relate to the mental, emotional, and personal anguish that war can place on you.

Holly shit, this wasn't supposed to be a big political attack, it was just an idea I came up with that would be "different".

Agent M, you need to sit down and shut the **** up, seriously. You really have this air of "I was in the army so I know more about this shit than you".

I don't give a shit what you know, or where you've been, or what you've done. It was just an innocent Idea.

For ****s sake, nobody minds shooting at the US Military in games like Grand Theft Auto, or multiplayer games like the Battle Field series, but suddenly you slam a story behind it, and it becomes mortal sin.

Damnit, if this were made (which it will never be, I will bet you that), it would be JUST A GAME.

Sinko my bad for jumping you right away but this shit is personal to me. And the way you first explained it sounded like you were some punk kid trying to make betraying then killing American soldiers would some how be "fun". But now I think I know what you trying to say so my bad.

Somewhat back on topic the mod Insurgency sounds really cool and that has Insurgents killing Americans as well. So that concept is not my problem, however it does suck that I applied for beta testing but didnt get in. :(

[Absinthe]

You have to admit that there's a very large difference between shooting the military in GTA and in your proposed game.

Both are cold-blooded murder, but at least GTA is ridiculous. It's not even the shooting of the US military that's the big issue. It's that you assume the player is so willing to just turn tail and fire on his own men for what seems like very childish political ideas.