Chinese Army's FPS Aims Straight at Japan

[bayonetbrant]

Chinese army-designed video game lets players fight Japan for the Diaoyu Islands

In the latest passive-aggressive escalation of the Diaoyu/Senkaku Island dispute, a Chinese computer game originally designed to train soldiers has added a level that lets players "reclaim and defend" the vacant but heavily disputed islands between China and Japan.

"Glorious Mission Online," China's Call of Duty equivalent, already involved the standard faux-military missions common in such games. But the updated online version, as first reported by the South China Morning Post, will also have players simulating a battle against Japanese soldiers on the islands and using the Liaoning, China's first aircraft carrier. It's particularly provocative given that the People's Liberation Army helped develop the game.

The Diaoyu Islands — called the Senkaku Islands in Japan — are a constant and increasingly heated source of conflict for the two countries. While Japan has controlled the islands for nearly 40 years, China insists it's owned them since antiquity. Japan further exacerbated debate when it bought the islands from a private landowner and nationalized them last September.

Since then, both countries have fired a series of symbolic volleys. China has pulled Japanese books from store shelves and boycotted Japanese goods. A Japanese toymaker recently infuriated Chinese social media users by releasing a model boat bearing the words "Operation Senkaku;" the model's box also appears to show the Liaoning sinking as victorious Japanese fighter jets fly overhead.

While model boats and Glorious Mission may be fun and games, the Diaoyu/Senkaku conflict is not. Four Chinese coast guard ships appeared near the islands on Wednesday and Japan deployed fighter jets after a Chinese plane veered too close to Japanese airspace. Japan has even floated the idea of using drones to keep an eye on Chinese activity in the region.

the trailer

[Gusington]

Awesome...in an unnerving sorta.way.

[TheCommandTent]

Awesome...in an unnerving sorta.way.

Unnerving is right.  Although I guess it is better that they go at it in a game than in real life.

[Sir Slash]

One could only imagine the reaction to an American video game maker showing American soldiers shooting Japanese while "reclaiming" American inherent territory in Iwo Jima or Okinawa. Later the Chinese will probably add an "Inherent Territory- Taiwan" add-on.

[LongBlade]

We have a bunch of WWII-era games where we shoot up the Japanese.

[eyebiter]

Operation flashpoint Dragon Rising the US Marines invade a Chinese occupied island in the Pacific, location based on Kiska in the Aleutians.

[bayonetbrant]

We have a bunch of WWII-era games where we shoot up the Japanese.

yes, but this is current, even if the Chinese claim the islands back to 2394876856495786 BC

[bayonetbrant]

And I think we're all pretty clear in the US that the gov't isn't in the business of dictating scenarios to game-makers.  In this case, the Chinese have specifically promoted this game as being a commercial version of a PLA training game & scenario.

[Sir Slash]

Agreed. It's the claim of ownership that rankles me. Along with the obvious Govt. involvement. Do any of the American game makers claim the land their virtual soldiers are fighting for? Perhaps in the future, countries can settle territorial disputes with teams of gamers competing in digital warfare. If so then I'm an 4F.

[mikeck]

I'm not sure why there aren't more game scenarios gaming a US v China conflict... Either inTaiwan, korea or in aid of our Japanese ally in the islands. Two fairly evenly matched forces (quality /quantity thing) and a fairly realistic possibility frankly

[Nefaro]

It not surprising that the (Glorious?) People's Republic of China are trying to whip up anti-Japanese sentiment in their military media.  It's pretty much tradition at this point. 

Look for DLC regarding invasions of Taiwan and maybe Hawaii in the future.   :P

[Al]

It not surprising that the (Glorious?) People's Republic of China are trying to whip up anti-Japanese sentiment in their military media.  It's pretty much tradition at this point. 

Look for DLC regarding invasions of Taiwan and maybe Hawaii in the future.   :P

The could also re-ignite the Sino-India conflict, too - just to spread things out.

[jomni]

Medal of Honor. US vs. Taliban.  That's current. 
Difference is MoH is real and this one is potential (really potential).

[Gusington]

Maybe there aren't more games portraying a US-China conflict because China is a huge market for US entertainment...and they will refuse to sell anything that has a whiff of anti-Chinese sentiment. Piracy of course is another story.

[eyebiter]

SSI People's General was a decent strategy game, US/South Korea vs China.  Also had some Russian scenarios.  Lot of what if hardware that never made it to the battlefield or is now obsolete.