The entertainment of war.
For a country where consumerism is rampant, this is actually not a big deal.
The United States is the most commercialized and entertainment-oriented society in the world.
However, this doesn't mean that no one will have any objections.
Especially...
The older generation who experienced the Vietnam War.
The marketing campaign for Battlefield 1991 seems to have stepped on their landmines at every turn.
"This is utterly absurd! More absurd than absurd! They should all go to hell! To be burned alive in hell!"
George angrily shoved his fork into the scrambled eggs on the plate, spitting everywhere, his dentures almost flying out of his mouth.
Sitting across from him, Emma listened helplessly to her father-in-law's indignant outburst.
"Dad, it's just a game, there's no need to make such a big deal out of it..."
"Just a game?!" George's eyes widened in anger, his voice rising several decibels.
This is like saying that bullets are just sheet metal, people are just a lump of flesh, and money is just paper!
"I really don't understand what you have to be unhappy about. Gamenova is just supporting the soldiers in its own way."
"Nonsense! You absolutely must not buy this game. You'd be better off donating that money to the military!"
"We have to pay tax when we buy it, Dad..."
"Snort..."
George gulped down a large glass of water and swallowed the scrambled eggs that were stuck in his throat.
His gaze fell on the television set to the side.
Early in the morning, CNN was actually broadcasting live from the scene in Baghdad.
24/7 live streaming...
"Young people these days are really spoiled by high technology..."
Emma rubbed her temples, looking rather troubled, and exchanged a helpless glance with her son beside her. Well, her father-in-law was about to launch into another long-winded account of his glorious past.
Perhaps this is what happens when people get old; they always like to indulge in the past that their brains have romanticized.
In comparison, my husband must be a genetic mutation in this respect; he's a complete avant-garde.
Always look forward, never stop moving forward, and embrace new things.
It was this positive, optimistic, and indomitable spirit that won Emma's heart...
There might still be that rebellious feeling from when I was a hippie.
" Vincent is a good boy, don't let him corrupt him."
George exhaled through his nose, then his bright red, bulbous nose twitched as he shoved a thick wad of phlegm down his throat.
"Back in our day, we only found out what happened during dinner."
He said, his throat still feeling congested with muffled sounds, and he had to blow his mouth again.
"Wow—during that period, every night at dinner time, all we saw were wounded and dead soldiers, and damaged equipment."
On that battlefield where even the trees seem to speak, war is no fun. The average person on the front lines suffers from PTSD, and even ordinary people watching the news from the rear are experiencing immense psychological trauma every day.
War means death and broken families.
It's a tragedy of our times to consume these things as fuel for one's business.
Unlike the military and young people who were excited and their eyes lit up when they saw Battlefield 1991, these older generations who experienced that era were instantly triggered with PTSD.
This has led to concerns about the overall trajectory of the Gulf War.
If we were to be dragged into a new quagmire like the Vietnam War, then the great America empire would be doomed.
"The real world isn't a video game, it's not like in ' Wolfenstein ' where you can single-handedly blow the Japanese to smithereens with a gun."
"Oh? You know about ' Wolfenstein '?"
Emma glanced at her father-in-law with a hint of surprise.
She had initially thought this old-fashioned person rejected all modern products.
I didn't expect they even knew about Wolfenstein 3D.
Back in the day, I was the regional champion during the Wolfenstein era. "Hmph..."
Kent said that the military is now widely using computer technology to help understand the battlefield, and if we can simulate it, we can better understand war.
"You believe all that nonsense from Nova? It's just a publicity stunt to boost sales."
George shook his head, his fork unconsciously scrambling the scrambled eggs on the plate.
He did know about Wolfenstein 3D, and had even played it for a while.
This is also the main reason why he has such strong opinions about video games.
The real battlefield is not like this.
That was a place where someone could die if they weren't careful.
There are no super soldiers like Schwarzenegger who can single-handedly cut through an entire enemy position.
This is a heroic narrative that only exists in entertainment works.
While our soldiers are still fighting overseas, this damn entertainment company is packaging war as a commodity.
"Mom... let's... not buy it, okay? I already have Pokémon to play." Seeing that the two were still unable to decide a winner, Vincent timidly spoke up.
"Look, Vincent is a good kid; he understands these things, but adults like you don't."
"No way! Even if my son doesn't play, I'm going to play. If Kent were here, he would make the same choice."
But Emma isn't someone who's so easy to talk to.
Seeing that her father-in-law was getting more and more excited as he spoke, her temper flared up.
"It won't make us forget the war, but it will help us understand that war is changing! Besides... how do you know that Battlefield 1991 is necessarily that bad?"
"Because I've played Wolfenstein 3D! I've played Contra! You think the battlefield is just about randomly shooting people with guns? The battlefield isn't a video game, little girl! The real battlefield doesn't have Schwarzenegger, Stallone, or... Satan Mom!"
Emma was taken aback by the address and remained silent for a long time.
[Sorry, there has been a temporary signal interruption at the front lines. Let's return to the studio.]
The change in the image on the television interrupted their argument.
Reporters on the front lines appear to be experiencing some satellite signal interference. [Gamenova announced today that a percentage of Battlefield 1991 sales revenue will be donated to a veterans' fund to improve veterans' retirement benefits.]
[ Pentagon says it has received a copy of the Battlefield 1991 beta version]
[Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the Pentagon believes Battlefield 1991 accurately portrays modern warfare, accurately showcasing the professional, high-tech, and disciplined image of the U. S. military.]
[Also, Lockheed CEO Tailaipu spoke today...]
"Ha! See? I told you so. Gamenova isn't the kind of business that likes to play games. I believe Battlefield 1991 will definitely be a success."
"It's just a show, a tactic to divert attention. You're still too naive."
George, however, had no particular opinion on this.
He had lived long enough to witness the ugly faces of businessmen.
These are all just tactics to shift the focus.
This is a complete evasion of the problem.
Are we really going to just let the issue of trivializing war go unaddressed?
"No matter what, I'll definitely buy it; I'm Kent's wife!" When he comes back, he'll have many games he missed because of the war to play.
Emma looked at the gift box above the fireplace.
This was Vincent prepared for his father, but because Kent missed Christmas, the gift had been delayed.
It contains Quake 2.
The little guy bought it with his allowance that he had saved up this year.
George's skepticism is not uncommon.
However, as time went on, the situation began to change.
A whole month.
The army was not deployed, nor did it get bogged down in the quagmire.
Instead, there were an average of 2,000 to 3,000 terrifying bombing raids per day.
Various types of aircraft and cruise missiles from warships bombed Iraq in turn, destroying all of Iraq's important strategic hubs.
In just 38 days, approximately 107,000 sorties were launched, dropping hundreds of thousands of tons of bombs. It was practically carpet bombing.
Although Iran also had a large number of Soviet-made Scud-B missiles in response, the scale was completely disproportionate, and with the loss of control of the sea and air, no effective counterattack was formed.
Suddenly, a strange sense of anticipation began to emerge in the hearts of those who had been worried about whether they would fall into a quagmire like the Vietnam War again.
Could it be that... this battle will be fought brilliantly?
The shadow of the Vietnam War and the Gulf War are now colliding wildly in this still unclear situation.
It was in this environment that Gamenova made its dazzling debut amidst the storm of controversy.
"Bang"
A large bag of things was piled up at the entrance.
Emma wiped the sweat from her brow and gave her father-in-law a slightly provocative look.
With that kind of fierceness, if Kent were there, he'd probably succumb on the spot.
A contradictory figure, possessing both a strong sense of justice and unconventional thinking, rebellious yet kind-hearted. Following closely behind her, Vincent carried a package almost as big as his chest, entered the house, and closed the door behind him.
The mother and son had just returned from a shopping spree at the mall.
"They're still launching airstrikes."
She glanced at the news report on television.
Still CNN.
Since the start of the war a month ago, watching CNN has become a regular activity for every household.
I turn on the TV and leave it on as soon as I wake up every day.
CNN is really tough; they really do broadcast 24/7.
Broadcasting from the front lines, broadcasting directly at missiles in the sky—it was practically a life-or-death effort.
The reporters from the other media outlets had long since disappeared.
These three tough guys from CNN who retired from the Marine Corps are still holding on.
Relying on devices Support by Gamenova, they roam around all day. "It's become the norm."
George sat hunched over on the single sofa.
"Come here, Vincent, show Grandpa what nice things you bought."
Holding the heavy box in his hand, George squinted and put on the reading glasses hanging around his neck.
Battlefield
Right in the center, of course, is the game's title in large print.
Below, enclosed by a ribbon of stars resembling military medals, is its subtitle.
[1991]
Given what's on TV right now, it's incredibly fitting.