NSA Video Games Paper - American Civil Liberties Union

Games: A Look at Emerging Trends, Uses, Threats and Opportunities in Influence Activities
Possible Terrorist Use of Different Game Genres
First-person Shooter Games
First-person shooter (FPS) games involve the player taking on a first-person character
role, giving him a sense o£ "being there." These games usually pit players against each
other or the computer to test their strategies and reflexes in a static, arena-like
environment.
• Some o-Dthe more popular FPS games include Doom, Half-Life, Counterstrike,
Unreal Tournament, Halo, Night of Bush Capturing and Under Ash.
Half-life. Give blood. Generously ...
B~hibit 3-2: A view from the FPS game Half-life as the opponent is shot. Ix
Producers often sophisticatedly incorporate various weapons in their FPS games. For
example, Alliancelxz allows the user to choose an historic or contemporary weapon for use
in game play. The game accurately portrays the benefits and drawbacks oflthe chosen
weapon, as well as the correct velocity and trajectory oflthe ammunition.
First-person Shooter Scenario
This scenario is fictitious. A Sudanese Islamic extremist group develops a FPS game as a
tool to influence audiences, train forces and raise funds. The game portrays local
warlords as corrupt. Players must take up arms to help defend their towns.
• The player must choose the correct weapon to fight the enemy and calculate when
to reload the weapon, as well as how to move through the town safely and whom
to trust. 1-Dthe player shoots a civilian, the civilian will make a commotion and in
moments, the player will be shot- always.
• At the end o£ the game, when the player has either won or lost a round, a message
reads, "Real heroes are those who take action in everyday life. What have you
done to support your brothers and sisters today? Search the Net for the truth and
FOUO -Not for Public Distribution
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