Revisiting the Representation of Middle East in War Video Games

• Controversy over white phosphorus in Modern Warfare 2019.
• Real-world implications of white phosphorus use.
• Video games shaping perceptions of war.
• Gaming industry's silence on political issues.
• Portrayal of Middle Eastern people in war games.

Modern Warfare 2019 and Its Controversial Addition

The 2019 reboot of the acclaimed Call of Duty series, Modern Warfare, introduced a controversial multiplayer killstreak reward, white phosphorus. This odorless, waxy chemical, when dropped on the battlefield, can kill dozens of enemies in a single strike. This feature stirred up a storm in the already contentious game series, which has been criticized for its portrayal of Muslim and Arab people and its connection with the U.S. military.

The Reality of White Phosphorus

Despite the controversy, white phosphorus has not been used in any subsequent Call of Duty games. However, the real-world implications of this chemical, known to cause severe skin and eye burns, and irritation of the upper respiratory tract, have come to light due to recent events. The chemical has been reportedly used on Palestinians in Gaza, sparking discussions about its horrific effects.

The Role of Video Games in Shaping Perceptions

The use of white phosphorus in Gaza, an Israeli soldier dressed as a Call of Duty character, and the release of Modern Warfare III highlight how these games shape the Western perception of war. They influence who we see as heroes and villains, and whose lives are considered important or expendable. Industry insiders like GameSpot's managing editor Tamoor Hussain have urged members to speak out about these issues.

The Gaming Industry's Silence

Yet, the industry remains largely silent or hesitant to comment on these issues. Instances like the ban on political comments at the Golden Joystick awards and the reported removal of pro-Palestinian marches from Roblox highlight this silence. Recently, Future Class members of The Game Awards called for the upcoming ceremony to acknowledge the crisis in Gaza, but there has been no response from the organizers.

Representation of Middle Eastern People in War Games

I had the chance to converse with five Muslim and Arab industry members about the portrayal of Middle Eastern people in popular war games like Call of Duty, Six Days in Fallujah, and CS:GO. They shared insights on the harmful narratives these games perpetuate and why it's important to address these issues now.

Arabs as Enemies in Video Games

In the first Modern Warfare game, one of the main villains is Khaled Al-Asad, a Saudi Arabian native who leads a revolutionary group known as OpFor. Al-Asad's character is portrayed as anti-Western and is responsible for the assassination of the Saudi Arabian president. This depiction of vaguely Arab antagonists is akin to Hollywood's "yellow filter", a visual aesthetic often applied to series or movies set in Central and South America or the Middle East.

The Need for Change in Representation

"The fact that a 'shitty Arab country' visual shorthand already exists says enough," says Nadia Shammas, a Palestinian-American comics and game writer. She emphasizes that such negative portrayals had to be repeatedly reinforced in culture for them to become ingrained in the subconscious to the point where their presence is not even questioned.

Boost your Stream with Elite Digital Designs

Welcome to Streamers Visuals, where your streaming vision comes to life. Dive into a treasure of digital designs, crafted for passionate gamers like you.

Looking to express yourself? Our emotes and twitch badges are tailored to make you stand out. Elevate your stream's visual appeal with our eye-catching overlays and immersive stream packages.

Remember, we're not selling physical gear, but the digital designs to elevate your streaming experience. Our ergonomic desk graphics, professional-quality microphone visuals, and more, are all ready to be instantly downloaded and showcased.

So, why wait? Dive in, level up your streaming aesthetics, and engage your audience like never before!