November 26, 2007 -
Can a video game game show the way to peace in the Middle East?As Israeli, Palestinian and Arab leaders prepare for tomorrow's Annapolis summit, 100,000 average Palestinians and Israelis have been issued copies of PeaceMaker, an award-winning simulation of the conflict.
As reported by the Jerusalem Post, PeaceMaker was distributed by the Peres Center for Peace in Tel Aviv. A press release describes the premise behind the game:
PeaceMaker allows the player to try his or her skills of diplomacy and leadership by playing as either the Israeli Prime Minister or the Palestinian President. Incorporating real-world events and news stories, the game challenges players to succeed as a leader where others have failed; to experience the joy of bringing peace to the region - or the agony of plunging the Middle East into disaster.
Ron Pundak, director of the Peres Center, told the Post:
The way is pragmatism, entering the role of the other. You must take into account the other side. It will help (each side) understand limitations of each one's president and leader, and as well the limitation of the other side.
A symbolic copy of PeaceMaker will also be sent to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas upon their return from Annapolis.
Comments
Game Succeeds Where Leaders Fail.
In a way, that would be a very sad sign of the times.
Nightwng2000
NW2K Software
It's a symbolic copy cause they will just look at it and say "oh isn't that nice, but the big boys with big ideas are making big decisions here" and ignore everything it has to offer.
when are they going to make a game so we can understand how bush's mind works?
in all seriousness i would love a copy of this game but how is it going to work the prise dents aren't going to go "O that was what i was supposed to do." i don't think it works like that
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower
I read about this yesterday, thought it was really a great idea. I don't know how useful it will actually be, considering the bigger picture, such as other media perceptions, but it's a step in the right direction.
It plays quite well, though even on the second level of difficulty you'll find yourself stuck between a rock and a hard place trying to appease everyone. If you give the other side something, your side's radicals hate you and bomb them or somesuch, and if you give the radicals anything, the other side stomps down your peace efforts.
Two words. AUM SHINRIKYO
Remember the little Sarin incident in the Tokyo Train stations?