Video games have come a long way from those that could be played on simple systems like Atari or the original Nintendo. Today, players find games such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 much more thrilling than a simple game of 16-bit Tetris.
Much like America's pro-war agenda during World War II, many video game software companies are designing games that make players feel as if they're helping their country fight the battle overseas.
However, not all of American consumers are happy with the growing popularity of realistic war-themed games. In 2009, game publisher Konami declared that it was developing a new game entitled "Six Days in Fallujah," where players were to control United States Marines in Iraq of 2004.
Angry critics were outraged at this announcement. Those against the war criticized the game for glorifying war and violence. Those who supported the war attacked Konami for speaking with Iraqi insurgents to accurately portray the game's realistic atmosphere. Konami decided to halt the game's production.
Despite this, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 experienced one of the largest video game releases ever, grossing over $310 million in the United Kingdom and North America - within only 24 hours of its launch. In less than one week, sales reached nearly $550 million.
Besides the Modern Warfare games, other successful war-themed games have enjoyed sales that reached into the millions. Conflict: Desert Storm, its sequel, Back to Baghdad, the SOCOM: U.S Navy Seals series and Full Spectrum Warrior are just a few of the past decade's best-selling war games.
The Medal of Honor franchise, created by Electronic Arts, is in the process of creating a game where players manipulate United States Special Forces soldiers who must battle their way through war-stricken Afghanistan.
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