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a forum for the uses of videogames in advertising, politics, education, and other everyday activities, outside the sphere of entertainment



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Army of Two's Political Agenda
September 9, 2007 - by Ian Bogost

There's a good interview up at Gamasutra with Chris Ferriera, lead designer of the forthcoming EA Montreal shooter Army of Two. Fans might know the game for its innovations in collaborative play, but Ferriera discusses the title's political content and inspiration -- private military contractors (PMCs) -- in encouraging detail.

We take [the characters] from their days in Delta Force, and their days as Navy SEALs, and their start as PMCs and how they get trained. We unveil the corruption behind the military privatization, and we explain the problems that poses to society and to America, and the world, when you have a gigantic organization that does nothing but operate for corporations and for money.

I also appreciated Ferreira's discussion of researching the topic through books and newspapers, and defending a modern-day politically-inspired game rather than one that relies on analogical futuristic or fantasy settings (e.g. Bioshock, Haze, BlackSite).



Comment from LevelTough on January 11, 2008

interesting. interesting. ill be paying attention to that game now


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