WHILE THE blood was still drying on the floors of the Abbottabad compound where Osama bin Laden was shot dead, there were already advance plans to rush-release a “commemorative” video game detailing the dramatic events of last Sunday night.
A US video games company, Kuma Games, will have its The Death of Osama bin Ladengame available for purchase this Saturday, less than a week after the killing.
The game will allow users to take the role of a United States navy seal who travels to Abbottabad to break into bin Laden’s compound. Players must land a helicopter and shoot guards before coming face-to-face with bin Laden.
Kuma Games created a Saddam-Hussein-capturing video game just after the Iraqi leader was taken into custody. Previous “Kuma War” titles have been based on real battles in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Kuma Games says the kill-Osama video game is not disrespectful or mocking in nature. Rather it is a tribute to those engaged in the front line against al-Qaeda.
“At Kuma, we are sensitive and respectful of American and coalition soldiers and the sacrifices they are making every day,” says Keith Halper, Kuma chief executive. “We hope that by telling their stories with such a powerful medium that we enable the American public to gain a better appreciation of the conflicts and the dangers they face.”
The company rejects claims of tasteless exploitation and “cashing in”, saying this is an important historical event and that in all its video games it strives for accuracy by using extensive background information such as satellite photos and US department of defence records.
The Death of Osama bin Ladenis expected to be one of the biggest selling game titles of the year.
