Dozens of games have come out that are set around real-world wars. Though the vast majority of them have covered the various theaters of World War II there have been a handful of others set in various conflicts including Vietnam and the Civil War (or the War of Northern Aggression if you live south of the Mason Dixon line). Few of these have stirred up any controversy beyond the standard complaints about violent video games.

It seems that while people can easily accept glorifications and digital explorations of conflicts far enough in the past the still-fresh wounds of current battles are considered by many to be off limits. Yesterday Konami announced their plans to publish Six Days In Fallujah, a game based on one of the most violent and horrific battles of the Iraq War and the news has already received heavy criticism from various camps. The father of British soldier killed in the fighting calls this game “bad taste” and while I agree, his concern that a fanatical young Muslim might play the game and be incensed into some sort of retribution makes him a little less easy to empathize with.

A UK peace group criticizes the game for glossing over the brutal actions of American military forces. Most levelheaded is a former soldier and veteran of the Iraq War when in addition to his statement of opposition for the title he says that it’s “too early” for a game like this, hinting that he understands that when time and the dryness of textbooks have drawn the fangs and venom of the war video games and other media will be free to cover it with little offense.