Here's an interesting little fact that doesn't have that much to do with videogames, but just enough to be posted. Saudi Arabia uses videogames as part of its program to reintegrate terrorists in to society. It seems the exact specifics of the program isn't known, but a part of it is indeed gaming related. I'm guessing they don't play that much Call of Duty, but it does raise the question of what it is that they do play.
The U.S. doesn't seem to be too keen on this rehabilitation program, or with Afghanistan attempting to adopt it. They cite the fact that some of the participants involved in the program have actually returned to Al-Qaeda, one of which is reportedly a deputy Al-Qaeda in a cell in Yemen. However, one Saudi general defends the program, stating, "We are confident in our system. Part of that is the rehabilitation programme, and when we say that we are considering one thing -- the results we are getting. We are not giving up because a few people decided to go back and share Al-Qaeda activities."
I figure what happens is that they think they've learned to be plumbers from Mario. Then they try to climb down a pipe and become disenfranchised once again, causing them to return to a life of terrorist activities.
Afghanistan: Hamid Karzai appeals to Saudi King to mediate with Taliban [The Telegraph, via GamePolitics]
Matthew Razak is Destructoid's Associate editor and co-founder of film site
Flixist. He began as community member "cowzilla" and was since sequestered to write brainy features material. He lives in Los Angeles with his beautiful wife.
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5:00 AM on 02.07.2010
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Newsnight covered this almost a year ago. Must be a slow day at the Telegraph
I bet they play Demon Souls. That game's 'fans' make me want to blow stuff up.
*rimshot* Hey-Oh!
Dtoid and its racist staff. you know you could have said terrorists are using it (or a group's name) but you'r targeting saudis specifically. Dtoid: paradise not only to cows and fanboys, but racists as well.
I do like that show.
im afraid i heavily disagree with you there Matthew
they probably play COD IN FRONT OF THE TERRORISTS and say
"see? this is what happens when you do terrorist things, BAM HEADSHOT!!"
Gamers will use this information as another point to support games.
Game haters will wave this around as another evil aspect of games.
Best regards, Anna, CEO of iscsi gigabit ethernet and i tunes