The game "Imagination is the Only Escape" recently sparked controversy, becasue a holocaust survivor condemned the game. Jack Kagan says that he is mad at the concept of the game.
The game is about a boy in east France after the Germans invaded France, and the only way to escape the horror is through fantasy.
He said:
"The Holocaust is serious for all humanity and I don't think anyone should make this kind of game. I'm very upset by it," Mr Kagan said.
The game is being developed by 21-year-old Briton Luc Bernard, whose mother is Jewish. It is being produced by Alten8, a private company licensed to develop games for Nintendo UK.
Mr Bernard, who now lives in France, told the JC that the game was intended to educate people about the Holocaust.
"This is to educate children. I don't find war to be a game and this will not contain any violence. Lots of other war games just have a lot of shooting and don't really show what war is, but that's not what I'm doing," he said."
But Mr Kagan said: "This is not educational. Holocaust education should not be done through games of this nature. People can read and watch things about the Holocaust, they do not need these kinds of games."
Gamezebo - "For decades, video games have provided players an escape from the challenges and tragedies of the real world. Whether we’re searching for a reprieve from everyday stressors or a way to live out unattainable fantasy goals, games have filled that need."
With the upcoming launch of WiiWare in North America and Europe, the floodgates have been opened for indie developers. One such developer is 21-year-old Luc Bernard. In fact, he claims to be "indier than indie", due to his limited project budget. But what he lacks in money, he makes up in ambition and imagination which makes his projects the perfect fit for WiiWare. Read on for an exclusive interview with the man himself.
" I liked the Xbox Live Arcade because of HD, but Eternity’s Child still looks as good on the Wii. "
Therefor I WANT MORE 2d GAMES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
Radio Ninty recently sat down with Luc Bernard, the developer behind the upcoming WiiWare title Eternity's Child, and "Holocaust DS" - Imagination Is The Only Escape.
His WiiWare title sounds like it's pretty neat and good that he called up the Holocaust survior to explain what the game really is. Nothing like the news to have wrong accountings of games again. Nintendo even called the publisher and they explained what it really is about and according to this even said why not make a Wii game as well. lol good stuff
Yes... we can do it. And we will do it... thank you very much. ;)
Frankly I have to agree with the guy,World War 2 games, are inaccurate and also fairly bad anyways.
I agree.
We should play tetris, pong and chess.
While being a holocaust survivor I'm sure he's been through hell, and witnessed acts we couldn't even dream of picturing.
In this situation, however. Should people really be educated of the holocaust simply by reading and watching all the gore and blood spillage. Or be educated that war isn't the answer to everything?
The premise of the game seems to be that its teaching the latter, and Jack would prefer the former.
To determine the game as "not educational." is a little quick off the mark. The real question would be how well is it teaching its education?
This argument is far too open. Games get released that touch on far more sensitive subjects. I'd say allow it, let the public decide whether its educational or not.