Minister blasts Medal of Honor

A new electronic game allowing players to become Taleban insurgents "undermines the values of our nation", Defence Minister Wayne Mapp says.

The Medal of Honor game, which is part of a popular series by Electronic Arts, has sparked controversy around the world.

"This game undermines the values of our nation, and the dedicated service of our men and women in uniform," Mapp said yesterday.

"Terrorist acts have caused the deaths of several New Zealanders.

"Hundreds of New Zealand servicemen and women have put their lives on the line in Afghanistan to combat terrorism, and this month Lieutenant Tim O'Donnell died in action over there."

O'Donnell was killed in a roadside ambush in Bamiyan province.

The manager of Christchurch's The Game Station store, Jade Wartmann, said the new Medal of Honor game was likely to sell well and would benefit from controversy. "Any kind of controversy, like we had with Grand Theft Auto, just adds to the hype and makes people want it more."

British Defence Secretary Liam Fox told the BBC it was "shocking someone would think it acceptable to recreate the acts of the Taleban".

"It's hard to believe any citizen of our country would wish to buy such a thoroughly un-British game," he said.

"I would urge retailers to show their support for our armed forces and ban this tasteless product."

An EA spokesman said yesterday the company did not want to comment.

The company previously defended the game, saying someone had to take on the enemy role.

"If someone's the cop, someone's gotta be the robber, someone's gotta be the pirate and someone's gotta be the alien," EA told media.

- © Fairfax NZ News