Alive and gaming in Baghdad
by Ross Miller 
{ Jan 10th 2007 at 6:55PM }
"We can't go outside, so I prefer to keep inside and keep myself alive."The words are from Wisam, a gamer living in Baghdad. Wisam is a rarity, and listening to his story on Iraq blog / vlog Alive In Baghdad explains why. Wisam, a recent graduate of the Baghdad University English Department, explains that he spends upwards of $200 on electricity each month -- partly from a local generator that runs 4 p.m. until midnight and partly from the fuel he buys for his personal generator. That's a hefty sum
Wisam said he learned his English from games such as Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy. MTV News' Stephen Totilo has a thorough piece on Wisam and the crew of Alive in Baghdad. Among the game-related topics discussed, Wisam talked about the decline in interest for war shooters like Medal of Honor and Call of Duty. "We hate the attacking, the gunfire in games," Wisam told MTV News. "We started to hate it."
In a sad note, Wisam described how Grand Theft Auto is much like Baghdad right now. Omar Abdullah, who interviewed Wisam for Alive in Baghdad, concurred, telling MTV News that "it was very, very similar to Baghdad. We were like, 'Oh my God. These are the same actions that happen in Baghdad.' There are some places that are divided. For each place, there is a gang ruling that place. You can go down the street and drive any car. If you want to jump on a motorcycle, you can do it."
With all the news that circulates about Baghdad, include tonight's U.S. Presidential address, it's thought-provoking to see a often missed perspective on the region.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Thomas Falsetta @ Jan 10th 2007 7:41PM
Is the Alive part suposed to be a pun?
Dao @ Jan 10th 2007 7:11PM
There was english in Final Fantasy??
but seriously, kudos to his dedication.
otakucode @ Jan 10th 2007 8:00PM
OK, time to pull in the MILLIONS of jackasses who slugged back the "experience leads to desensitization" kool aid and send them to Baghdad.
jimy @ Jan 10th 2007 7:42PM
Pretty cool.
But what about Madden?
sploy @ Jan 10th 2007 8:16PM
I agree with otakucode...
when I think about it, the more I play violent games, the more often I think about how awful it must be to have those things happen in real life.
At the same time, I'm intelligent enough to realise that there's no harm in violence in a video game, only in real life.
Werbal @ Jan 10th 2007 8:46PM
The funny thing is that the people who claim video games are evil and desensitize are the same ones who had no problems supporting this useless war.
Josh @ Jan 10th 2007 9:14PM
And the United States is sending over 21,500 more troops.
I can't stand this damned government.
SickNic @ Jan 10th 2007 9:23PM
We were playing a lot of xbox and PS2 in Mosul, Iraq when I was there with the 101st. It's nice to know that the soldiers and civilians in Iraq have a common bond. Those games certainly kept us soldiers sane. Having a safe venue to vent frustration and anger can help any person who is going through hard times...
GhostBox @ Jan 10th 2007 9:55PM
"The funny thing is that the people who claim video games are evil and desensitize are the same ones who had no problems supporting this useless war."
----------------------------------------------------
@#6
Say it again Werbal, say it again.
Boy that really provided a very human face on things. I wish Wisam and everyone going through that hell over there every good blessing possible.
Crackjaw @ Jan 10th 2007 10:59PM
I'm in the military and if you really think that pulling troops out of Iraq is a good idea then your a moron and have no idea what your talking about.
It was probably a mistake to go to war with Iraq at first, but in its current state pulling troops out of Iraq would be one of the top ten worst moves the US has ever done.
Even the Democrats, whos key point during the mid-term elections was bringing back the troops, are now backpedaling because they always knew pulling the troops out would be disasterous. This resistance towards Bush on the war in Iraq is some what of a farce, trying to make them look like they are holding true to what put them in the house and senate.
SickNic @ Jan 10th 2007 11:23PM
Crackjaw, its more than that. Straight up pulling out isn't the answer, but sooner or later, the Iraqis have to step up and take the reins...
TheoV @ Jan 10th 2007 11:48PM
For the love of God can someone use the proper you're instead of your............and yes, we created a terrorist state so we must fix it.....Saddam had nothing to do with 9/11. Facts are facts.
Zegim @ Jan 11th 2007 12:15AM
Chances are the comments will end up in a flame war...
Patrick @ Jan 11th 2007 1:21AM
What a shitty TV he got, Whats that, 480i *laughs*
hef @ Jan 14th 2007 1:17AM
I really want to play a new RTS game let's call it 'Retarded President' or Veitnam 2: The Losing Continues. You are the heroic dullard known as the Prez. and you embark on one disastrous adventure after another. It's multiplayer co-op and so your mates can join in as Wacky Doc "Skeletor" Rumsfeld or Satan Eyes Cheney. Send your troops to hellish oblivion they love it!
Crackjaw @ Jan 11th 2007 9:32AM
@11
I agree completely, but that isn't happening because the Iraqi government thinks we are going to be there to take care of them no matter what. Also not to mention you have corruption up and down the Iraqi government with positions held by Shi'ite and Sunni sypmathizers.
More troops are needed to eradicate the present insurgents and some firm deadlines need to be given to the country's current prime minister.
Phenriz @ Jan 11th 2007 11:03AM
REEROOREEROOREEEROOO
this just in, none of us here give a shit about any of your politics.
This is a gaming blog, if you want to debate and discuss politics that don't have anything to do with gaming, GTFO.
I as well as many others, come here to read about gaming opinions, not idiots opinions on politics and wars.
Deuce @ Jan 11th 2007 11:34AM
11, 16:
People who think that we can get the Iraqi government to take care of things themselves by cutting and running early aren't thinking hard enough. If the Iraqi government believes that we're going to bail on them before they are in a position to defend themselves, they will do what they need to stay afloat: cozy up to Tehran.
And yes, running away would be one of the worst actions the US had ever taken. It would prove that bin Laden was absolutely right to call us a paper tiger if we go weak-kneed over 3000 troops killed over 5 years. In war, that is, frankly, an extremely small loss, and if we don't have the stomach for setbacks that minor, we might as well just disband the military and bend over from now on, cause we don't have the cajones for the effort it takes to really accomplish anything in the long term, and everyone in the world will know it. We do need to change tactics, because we've been treading water of late (namely, we need to stop tying our troops hands) but bailing would be idiotic.
polly @ Jan 11th 2007 11:44AM
Dude, we've had what, around 150k troops there for about 4 years, and still have security issues? This 20k increase will accomplish nothing. Retired military personnel one after another are saying this is too little too late. This plan does nothing. It's a red herring to make it look like he's changing strategies and to change the debate from "when and how do we proceed with a phased withdrawal" to "should we or shouldn't we add more troops?" Our biggest bargaining chip in Iraq is telling them that if they don't get their own security infrastructure up and running and right soon, then guess what? We'll start pulling out and leave this whole mess in their hands entirely. We're willing to help but we aren't going to be the police in this civil war. By adding more troops he's just assuring them that we will always be there to fall back on, and ultimately blame.