Online Game “Minecraft” Decried as Bolstering Neo-Nazi Movement
(AP) -- A popular computer game created by a Swedish software company is raising concerns about the spread of racism and anti-Semitism through online gaming.
'Minecraft', a game developed by Stockholm-based Mojang Specifications, is an online multiplayer role-playing game similar to industry juggernaut 'World of Warcraft'. In the game, players struggle to survive in a fantasy world filled with dangerous creatures. The problem is, some of the players are even more dangerous.
“Neo-Nazism is rampant in 'Minecraft',” warns Abraham H. Foxman, National Director of the Anti-Defamation League, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting racism, bigotry, and extremism worldwide. “They are using the game to generate Nazi imagery, and to recruit young people into the Neo-Nazi movement. All the more disturbing is that this game is marketed toward children.”
Foxman cited a recent incident where a player created a wooden cross in the game and proceeded to burn it, a clear act of intimidation against minority players.
“There is even a server [an online virtual game world] dedicated to reconstructing Nazi Germany called 'Mein Kraft'. The people behind this dress their characters up as Nazi soldiers and have even made virtual gas chambers. It's disgusting.”
Racial slurs and swastikas are a common occurrence in gaming sessions of 'Minecraft'. “Everywhere you go, someone is using the N-word, or talking bad about Jews,” said one distraught player. “Something really has to be done about this, or I just can't play online anymore.”
'Minecraft' is part of a disturbing trend in the gaming industry toward glorifying the Third Reich. The popular World War II strategy franchise 'Company of Heroes' has drawn similar criticism for allowing players to lead the armed forces of Nazi Germany to victory.
“The video game industry has to take a stand and say 'enough is enough.'” said Foxman. “There's no place for these kinds of vile beliefs in games intended for children. It's creating a toxic online community for Jews and other minorities and contributing to the rise of the far right in the real world.”
Foxman urged game developers, government officials, and media watchdog groups to keep a closer eye on the kinds of materials being produced in the digital entertainment industry.
Mojang Specifications did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
(AP) -- A popular computer game created by a Swedish software company is raising concerns about the spread of racism and anti-Semitism through online gaming.
'Minecraft', a game developed by Stockholm-based Mojang Specifications, is an online multiplayer role-playing game similar to industry juggernaut 'World of Warcraft'. In the game, players struggle to survive in a fantasy world filled with dangerous creatures. The problem is, some of the players are even more dangerous.
“Neo-Nazism is rampant in 'Minecraft',” warns Abraham H. Foxman, National Director of the Anti-Defamation League, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting racism, bigotry, and extremism worldwide. “They are using the game to generate Nazi imagery, and to recruit young people into the Neo-Nazi movement. All the more disturbing is that this game is marketed toward children.”
Foxman cited a recent incident where a player created a wooden cross in the game and proceeded to burn it, a clear act of intimidation against minority players.
“There is even a server [an online virtual game world] dedicated to reconstructing Nazi Germany called 'Mein Kraft'. The people behind this dress their characters up as Nazi soldiers and have even made virtual gas chambers. It's disgusting.”
Racial slurs and swastikas are a common occurrence in gaming sessions of 'Minecraft'. “Everywhere you go, someone is using the N-word, or talking bad about Jews,” said one distraught player. “Something really has to be done about this, or I just can't play online anymore.”
'Minecraft' is part of a disturbing trend in the gaming industry toward glorifying the Third Reich. The popular World War II strategy franchise 'Company of Heroes' has drawn similar criticism for allowing players to lead the armed forces of Nazi Germany to victory.
“The video game industry has to take a stand and say 'enough is enough.'” said Foxman. “There's no place for these kinds of vile beliefs in games intended for children. It's creating a toxic online community for Jews and other minorities and contributing to the rise of the far right in the real world.”
Foxman urged game developers, government officials, and media watchdog groups to keep a closer eye on the kinds of materials being produced in the digital entertainment industry.
Mojang Specifications did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
