(1888PressRelease)
April 29, 2008 - The accusations have arisen from Lware’s game site MyInvaders.com where a number of games are available based on the classic Space Invaders format. Lware has produced these games with a number of themes which allow the buyer to choose who the attackers will be and by definition, who they want to be shooting at. As the branding on the site says “Who will you slay today?”
Concerns have been expressed that all of the games reinforce stereotypical images of groups within society. For example in a game called Female Invaders men (presumably) get to shoot symbols that portray feminism in a somewhat chauvinistic light (vacuum cleaners, chocolates and handbags etc.)
Particular concerns have also been raised at the game US Invaders where the enemy is, unsurprisingly, comprised of symbols representing American life including what appears to be an effigy of President George Bush.
Replying to accusations, a spokesman for Lware stated “I think some people really need to loosen up a little and get a sense of humour. These games are intended as a bit of fun and nothing more. I myself am in one of the “attacked” groups but I can see the funny side and have eve played the game. None of the games focuses on issues that we believe could cause genuine offence such as race, religion or sexual orientation and people appear to be jumping onto a bandwagon with a very wobbly wheel.”
The company declined to comment on speculation that large numbers of downloads of the US Invaders game have come from predominantly Muslim countries.
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