Konami retreats from Six Days in Fallujah - Confrmed

[UPDATE] Japan's Asahi Shimbun claims the Metal Gear Solid publisher is no longer distributing Atomic Games' ultrarealistic Iraq war shooter.

Though it has no problem with the ultraviolent combat in Metal Gear Solid 4, Konami apparently no longer has the stomach for Six Days in Fallujah's purportedly "ultrarealistic" re-creation of the Iraq War. According to the Japanese daily Asahi Shimbun, the Tokyo-based company has decided not to publish the Atomic Games-developed war-action title, which it touted at a gamers' day event this month.

"Hitman 1 to Hitman 2, interrogative: So who's publishing us now?"

"After seeing the reaction to the video game in the United States and hearing opinions sent through phone calls and e-mail, we decided several days ago not to sell it," a Konami rep told the Asahi Shimbun. When asked for comment by GameSpot, Konami of America said the rep handling the game was out of the office. Inquiries sent to Atomic Games had not been returned as of press time.

Though no opinion-givers were mentioned by name by the Asahi Shimbun, the game had been vociferously criticized by several families who had lost members in the Iraq War as well as by the British antiwar group Stop the War Coalition. Konami and Atomic's defense was that Six Days in Fallujah would be a "survival horror" game that would show the ugly face of the Iraq War, now in its seventh year.

"We had intended to convey the reality of the battles to players so that they could feel what it was like to be there," the Konami rep told the Asahi Shimbun. Those comments were echoed in a GameSpot video interview (below) with several veterans of the actual Second Battle of Fallujah, Operation Phantom Fury, who were acting as technical advisors for the game.

[UPDATE] On Tuesday, Atomic Games president Peter Tamte told GameSpot that Konami's decision had come as a total shock. "We were informed on Thursday night that Konami had decided to pull out of Six Days in Fallujah," he explained. "This caught us by surprise. Development of the game had been progressing very well and on schedule. We would very much like the opportunity to complete the game."

417 Comments

  • 420_Forever

    Posted May 5, 2009 10:22 am PT

    I completely agree with you man...People have created video games, movies, books and television shows depicting practically every other war and catastrophic event in history...What makes the circumstance portrayed in this particular game any more important or tragic than any of the other battles that have been recreated?

  • CorruptedLulz

    Posted May 3, 2009 9:59 pm PT

    I don't understand the big deal. No one is bashing the soldiers or conveying any political viewpoints, as the developer said in one of the interviews, it is a purely factual account of the battle of fallujah.

    Ask yourself if this would be okay as a movie. I'm sure it would, there are plenty of movies based on both Iraq Wars.

    Honestly, people need to grow a pair and quit crying about things that really aren't a big deal. It's just a game.

  • 420_Forever

    Posted Apr 30, 2009 5:31 am PT

    What you fail to realize is that you, the soldier, is also being manipulated. Do you think it's for the good of humanity why the US government (and that of NATO) is sending troops over? No, it's to secure that the greedy lobbyists have the world's most valuable resource in their control (or at least in some of their control.) You also fail to realize that the Allied forces initiated the fundamentalist beliefs when it displaced Palestine and allowed the creation of Israel, causing the PLO to be created. Everything the terrorists have done thus far has to do with that, are you blind? Can you not see?

  • Xarcun

    Posted Apr 29, 2009 10:45 pm PT

    Being part of the USMC I support the development of this game. Something like this reminds me to never forget my brothers in the Corps. Unless you have been there and experienced it, you will never understand what they have done and sacrificed for the people of Iraq. People only believe what the liberal media tells them. Nobody gets to hear about it first hand from the people that are actually on the ground doing the work. To the people that say that the US is sticking it nose where it shouldn't. It's sad that the United States, MY country, My Brothers and Sisters have to be the world police because every other country is too afraid to do it. So let this game be made so that others remember the sacrifice of my fellow Marines.
    Besides they were and are doing exactly what they signed up for. Marines don't do it for the college money or any enlistment bonus (No enlistment bonus in the Corps) We do it for country.We do it because it's what we want. But also for the ladies and the opportunity to blow stuff up. Oorah!

  • aschuhart

    Posted Apr 29, 2009 4:53 pm PT

    Ok, rename it "6 Days in the Sand" and take out any mention of Iraq.

  • 420_Forever

    Posted Apr 29, 2009 4:04 pm PT

    To gla3000:

    "I think they were saying : 'Why did we decided to make an American-based game in the first place ?! we shouldn't get our noses in their problems' "

    That's so funny because the American's love to do that to practically every other nation on the planet. In fact, the entire war is based upon the American government putting their noses where it does not belong...Yeah I know this is not the soldier's problem, but if they didn't subject themselves to the US military which I may remind you is VOLUNTARY, then they wouldn't be put in the situation...

    Awwww poor American's, can't watch a reproduction of their own creation...There have been countless movies depicting similar circumstances, so what's the big deal really?

  • FloodOne

    Posted Apr 29, 2009 12:24 pm PT

    All I'm going to say, is that if this was a movie, it would probably win academy awards.

  • 1omar7raul1

    Posted Apr 29, 2009 6:09 am PT

    historical ?? damn it happened in 2004 !!

  • gla300

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 7:43 pm PT

    Stop this nonsense about the game being educational or honoring the soldiers that died there, I bet that 90% of you don't give a damn about those thing, you just want to play a cool game so stop saying : "They should not stop making this game because its honoring the soldiers that died there" Anyway its very obvious why Konami decided to pull out, they don't want to damage their reputation with a controversial game, I think they were saying : "Why did we decided to make an American-based game in the first place ?! we shouldn't get our noses in their problems, that's what happens when we do so, we lose our money and reputation". By the way even though I don't like the content of the game but I still want to play it xD (Hypocrite)

  • BR4D_B4K3R

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 6:55 pm PT

    I just want it noted that with the greater awareness of the human condition comes an understanding that in the ugliest side of mankind lies a horror that nobody wants to visit in reality. Publishing a game like this would drive home the horror of war, in what I would suspect a respectful way (or the USMC would not endorse it through allowing its marines to act as tech advisers) without glamorizing it. I feel for those whose lost family in the conflict, my heart goes out to them all. I was lucky enough to have my grandfather come home from the second world war. I was blessed to hear his experiences first hand. I spent my life trying to better understand his experiences. I would hope that this game would act as a similar record of these heroes struggles.

    Peace all. and Please don't be thwarted in finding a way to publish this work.

  • Everiez

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 6:47 pm PT

    "Ultra realistic" and re-creation of Iraq War? This game will has strong story and plot wise. Fail in story and plot then this game will just for fun not education nor experiencing Iraq War. Admit it, gamers want this mostly for fun and followed by its historical value.

  • wwonka666

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 1:38 pm PT

    Raiden0127

    Posted Apr 27, 2009 9:27 pm PT

    Really wonka? I've played FPS games since I was 7. Ten years later, I have no urge to "kill guys like in call of duty". I honestly think people like your employee are few and far between.

    I think you should re-read my post I said that was MY CHOICE to do that and I'm not changing anything with my choice and that his game SHOULD STILL BE PUBLISHED. I personally think that War is the dumbest thing on the planet, but yes, it can be fun to kill in a video game and I love FPS when I'm killing aliens and what not and I even own a Call of Duty game, I just wont buy Modern Warfare because in my mind I know there are real life situations going on in our world just like this today. If WWII was going on right now, I wouldn't personally want to be reminded and would not play those. But I love killing aliens in Gears of War games or Doom games, or Halo games and yes, my employee probably was the exception rather than the rule, this was in 2004 when I had that particular employee, I hope he is still alive today as I have no way of knowing because I left Tucson and went to Vegas. Again, this game should still be published because censcorship is un-american. But then again, it's not an American company who seems to be censcoring it, it is a Japanese company.

  • Nicholai69

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 1:06 pm PT

    Itsa shame cause this is the type of game that could be necessarily educational aswell as fun

  • Bucketoffish

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 1:03 pm PT

    Get over it and grow a pair. Grand Theft Auto series will always be more disrespectful in every regard, but you don't see Rockstar tucking and turning when the media rightfully blasts their series. Man up, historical wars are important parts of the gaming community, much less the arts. Sometimes you have to understand that the protesters are going to be the stuck up mothers/news organizations or military vets, either of which are low constituate buyers in the gaming market. You would've earned more respect if you just said "we realized this game would suck, and doesn't look fun," as it is a more reasonable and plausible decision.

  • karatefry

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 12:53 pm PT

    Well maybe this game is honoring their sacrifice?

  • Glade_Gnarr

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 12:44 pm PT

    More people died in World War 2 and do you hear the germans complaining? Grow a pair Konami.

  • lowkey254

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 12:40 pm PT

    @ Evil-Assassinz

    the difference is that this is happening now. It's not just a recreation of a historical war. It's a depiction of an unwanted war were many soldiers' families are still grieving.

  • Evil-Assassinz

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 12:32 pm PT

    ok well there is just one thing i don't understand is that in WW2 and Vietnam there were way more people killed then in Operation Iraqi Freedom so complain to the developers that create the WW2 games and the Vietnam games instead cause more people die in that. Also instead of having the parents complain to some developers just don't make your kids play it plain and simple.

  • karatefry

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 12:15 pm PT

    There was nothing wrong with that battle. We gave all civilians ample time to escape. Everyone we killed were Insurgents, therefore, that battle is not offensive in anyway, and it was a bad move on Konami's part to bail on the game. Someone else better pick it back up, because this will be a kick-ass game.

  • Hydrolix

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 11:46 am PT

    Not that I'm against a game of this type, but given that the war is still on my initial thoughts upon seeing this title were that it might be a bit soon.

  • emkplayboy6

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 11:36 am PT

    Hopefully some one else will pick this up and release it!

  • butterlou

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 11:17 am PT

    The government makes a lot of decisions they call 'right.' I never said which one was legit. My boys are free to watch Bugs and Tom and Jerry, they don't see the Vietnam or racial content which 'others' did. Anyone can see the alternative language spoken between Spongebob and Patrick though and the other little cartoons in the afternoon.... Powder Puff girls or whatever.... Support the game; that is your opinion but don't call me names to make yourself look like some self-righteous video game savior, when all I was doing was stating mine.

  • butterlou

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 11:12 am PT

    JonGalt, what I play in my house on my time is MY business. I don't know Solid Snake and I don't think he ever existed. Neither does the nameless freaks on Warhawk. Two; a seven year old on Wikipedia? C'mon. You're reaching here. Killzone is about shooting aliens; I don't recall the last time they invaded us or we invaded them. It's about the step they made toward THIS PARTICULAR game. If you would read all the threads and not just select ones then you may see the whole picture however in your own shortsightedness you fall, just that, short of the point. Did you stand up for Michael Vick? I did. You know why? It wasn't about the dogs. It was about the money he made. They made a moniker out of him. Then they made a chew toy depicting his face and image. Were you against that? What if your fiend was killed in 9/11 or at Virginia Tech and they made a game about that. Would you support that? It's not the concept you just supporting the so called idea. I play a lot of games; different types of games. I support almost everyone and I hate when the government tries to censor them. Like I said there are lines and some shouldn't be crossed. If you don't like Madden play Blitz and you get all the back story drama. WWE games don't support taking steroids or alcoholic binges between matches... Learn to speak on an adult level and try to actually understand what a person is saying before lashing out ridicule statements looking to destroy a person's character, or better yet, simply ask a question.

  • IzE-DraGoN

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 10:31 am PT

    "Konami and Atomic's defense was that Six Days in Fallujah would be a "survival horror" game that would show the ugly face of the Iraq War"

    why to create a game about the 2WW (Call of Duty) that shows the ugly faces of Germany or Japan??
    come on guys, what's the difference between the war of this game and CoD war? the time which they were fought!
    I'm not supporting the war, just the game!

  • J0nGalt

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 10:27 am PT

    LOL, by that thinking they shouldnt release any games that have a gun in them or even a wrench crowbar or naughty word. You are so damn shortsighted in your views that the contradictions and hypocracies almost shut down my thought process:

    " How did my son know what a sniper rifle was?"
    -butterlou
    Because he wanted to maybe? Wikipedia? Maybe he found it in one of those dangerous books that has knowledge in it. Or maybe he was playing the same violent video games you play? Or maybe a sniper rifle is a popular military item? Oh wait no, obviously, violent terrible video games that are destroying our society.
    -
    "Therefore this company made a commendable effort towards a positive society notion and I for one and for sure others are grateful." yet you say: "I will play in some fantasy, such as MGS, Warhawk, or Killzone"(-butterlou) all very violent and not exactly positive...hyporcrite.

    In your sad world the only thing that flies is what makes you comfortable, and if others want to do something they need to clear it with you. If I were your kid Id be out of your company as soon as I could tie my shoes, you have to be one of the least thoughtful and most shortsighted fools Ive ever had the chance to see comment here, and thats saying alot.

    And BTW, just because "they pulled bugs bunny off the air," DOESN'T MAKE IT RIGHT. But whatever the gov says is obviously right...obviously.

  • thenephariouson

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 10:26 am PT

    ah well, next!

  • Rottenwood

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 10:26 am PT

    Everyone is focusing on the violence, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. The real powder keg here is politics.

    World War II is by far the most popular setting for war simulations. The reasons are simple: it's now well into the past, and a vast majority of Americans support our involvement there, whether through personal experience or hindsight. You won't gain much traction opposing simulated warfare against the Third Reich. However, our current conflict in Iraq has become overwhelmingly unpopular, at home and especially abroad. Making a game out of this conflict will, to many, seem not only crass, but proof positive of the American celebration of power and aggression. Then you'll see message boards of players cheering over their LEET murderz of 'insert Middle Eastern racial epithet of choice here' for yet another round of media insanity.

    It's bad enough we've more or less forgotten about our troops overseas with the elections and economy taking up all the airwaves. Turning their brutal daily grind into an electronic sport is beyond the pale.

    No thanks. This hobby has enough baggage already.

  • Dareitus

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 10:24 am PT

    @butterlou I'm Dareitus here and Dareitus on PS3 and 360. It'd be a pleasure.

  • duke-nukem11

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 10:22 am PT

    ahh shame. coz it was a refreshing concept. ok the content is still very much in the minds and families of the fallen. but its had that 'saving private ryan' angle that i found very intresting. lets hope theres a publisher that has the sense to snap this game up

  • butterlou

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 10:15 am PT

    Yes but still if they can pull Bugs Bunny off the air then surely you understand the magnitude here. I don't think this game should be released now or at anytime. It kinda parrallels Phone Booth when the DC sniper was running rampid. Yeah, maybe are some parents are that 'loose' to let their children play what they want; happens everyday. The issue here is that Konami made an honorable ethical call and people are questioning it or calling them gutless or chicken. These same people that I'm sure only due paid in life was pay a cell phone bill (if that). Case in point, my boys don't see me play any of the games I mentioned and have only seen me at work when we do dog demos... How did my son know what a sniper rifle was? A quote 'missile' launcher or bazooka? Society. Therefore this company made a commendable effort towards a positive society notion and I for one and for sure others are grateful.

    Also, THANK YOU for your service as well. Maybe one day I'll see you round! If you have a PS3 add me; Booter, we'll play something together.

  • Dareitus

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 10:14 am PT

    @j0nGaIt

    Hey buddy, I wanna see this game as much as the next guy but back the hell off, the guy is entilted to his position and is simply posting his feelings on a group discussion board. Why not post something that isn't an attack and something a little more founded. I'm a vet too and I take far more offense at your outlandish attacks than anything else.

  • killer_rabbit20

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 10:13 am PT

    That's stupid, just because some kids were whining that the game grossed them out doesn't mean the game shouldn't be released.

    And at the parents whining, just watch what your kids play instead complaining to game developers when other people wanted the games to be released.

  • XanderKage

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 10:07 am PT

    Hm, I kinda get them. Iraq is a touchy subject. If they get it wrong (or even if they make it right, but someone won't like it) they'll get a huge ammount of flak for it. I think it has little to do with the level of violence, though. It's probably the thought that, unlike most games, this violence has actually taken place in real life...

  • Dareitus

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 9:59 am PT

    @butterlou of course kids are going to pick up on that kind of stuff, they know what you do and look up to you. I wouldn't be overly surprised if a garbage man's 7yr old son wanted to be a garbage man. Regardless, you would have to be a s**t aweful parent to let your 7 year old play this game. Spongebob might have some jokes or "cartoon violence" (as the ESRB calls it) but it certainly isnt human beings blown to bits, shot up, and whatever else this game will likely portray in it's "Ultra-Realistic" setting.

  • butterlou

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 9:51 am PT

    Kids are NOT that dumb I meant

  • butterlou

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 9:50 am PT

    Dareitus, not to disrespect and I fully agree but then you must not let your children watch ANY TV because even Spongebob has some off color jokes... Thing is, kids are that dumb or nieve as society tries to make them. My twins are 7 and while one is 'doing just fine' as a kid the younger twin is very much influenced by what mom and dad do. So even when we curb what they watch or experience he continues to voice 'his own opinion' of how when he grows up he himself wants to be a soldier just like his mom and dad and kill the enemy with either his sniper rifle, machine gun, or his police dog... All based on what he's seen from my wife and I in his little 7 years. SONIC DIDN'T TEACH HIM THAT!

  • code523

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 9:38 am PT

    Weak decision on Konami's part. Hope another developer with some guts decides to go ahead with the project.

    People get killed in carjackings every week but, GTA 4 is still on the shelves. Really lame that they cancelled the game over people's whining.

  • Dareitus

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 9:29 am PT

    @butterlou while I understand your personal views, and I'm sorry your experience in the war was difficult for you I want to comment on one thing:

    If a child is playing Six Days in Fallujah, a "Ultra-Realistic Shooter" then the fault is not with the game developer or producer it is with the parents that are paying so little attention and aren't doing enough (or anything) to properly raise their children. I wouldn't let my kids play any game with graphic amounts of violence, and certainly not one that could be percieved as portraying myself. That's just common sense. Something a lot of parents lack these days.

  • butterlou

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 9:24 am PT

    I made a mistake. As daddy, or maybe even try to be as 'mommy.' Thank you Konami and I hope in the future you don't fall back on your stand.

  • butterlou

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 9:23 am PT

    I can help you as to why this game is not to be published. Our generation has no clue about WW1 WWII and even Korea. OUR GENERATION. Therefore, games are created based off of stories told by grandfathers and great-grands making an illusion of the truth. There aren't even that many games on Vietnam and the ones that are out there didn't sell too well. This game, this game hits home. There are numerous families that have lost loved ones to this campaign. Imagine, kids would envision themselves playing this game as 'daddy' and then what happens when they are killed? What mind-set you think they would develop? I don't even play war games or watch the movies; as a veteran it is too close to home. I will play in some fantasy, such as MGS, Warhawk, or Killzone because it is not real. It doesn't present a real atmosphere. Trust me, I think of Iraq AT LEAST once a day and some of the things I seen or done will never leave me and when I saw this game I was a little uneasy. HELL no they shouldn't create this game just as those games about assinated JFK or being the kids from Columbine should be allowed to be released. There are lines. Like it or not whether your American, Asian, African, Australian, British, Chinese, German it doesn't matter.... we all live, breathe, and live lives for our respective families, beliefs, molding of children, and Higher.

  • Dareitus

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 9:06 am PT

    oh and @glokwek Treated as a hero while alive for sure. There is no greater pride than when I am driving home in my ACU's or someone asks me what I do and they say "Wow, Thank you for your service."

  • Dareitus

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 9:05 am PT

    @nappan yeah never really had a problem with anything you said, just debating personal opinions since debating is always a good time. I don't for see either of us budging but a mile long list of GS Comments remains in our wake.

  • Glokwerk

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 9:01 am PT

    Nappan, a pleasure as well. Hope it can occur again at some point.

  • nappan

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 8:55 am PT

    @CodyTG: I wouldn't, for what little that is worth. Skimming off the profits for charity is a poor excuse to justify ANYTHING. Charity may have to be marketed, but when it is, lets be honest about it.


    Dareitus: I doubt pretty much any claim on the internet, but I'm not going to say that you're lying, because I don't know. As you say, your points should be taken on their own merit, but even then, I think that we probably just disagree on the fundamentals. I don't claim to speak for veterans, however... I'm acting and writing based on my own principles, lax though they may be.

  • Dareitus

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 8:51 am PT

    @nappan I'm not going to answer your questions because like you said they could be answered with a google search and don't prove anything anyway. If you don't believe me as being a veteran that's fine, my opinion is valid either way. I think the game should be published, I think if you have a problem with it you shouldn't play it, and if you aren't a vet (or any other group) then don't speak on behalf of that group (state your opinion based on your own beliefs). I don't think Konami made an entirely bad move by saying no to this game, they are a "big" company with a lot on the line but a more upstart publisher could do really well by making this game public. Games are going to catch contreversy(sp?) but that is just how the world is these days, seems everybody has a problem with everything. As long as the game stays true to its topic, is historically accurate (to a point, a game is still a game) and doesn't encourage the killing of civilians or something than I can only hope to see its release under another publisher.

  • nappan

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 8:51 am PT

    @Glokwerk: What can I say man, I'm a really weird person in the true sense of the word. I'm mostly cold logic, but I also believe there is value in taking your feelings about a situation into account. It's been a pleasure debating with you, for the record.

  • CodyTG

    Posted Apr 28, 2009 8:50 am PT

    I bet if when purchasing this game, 10% went to families of fallen soldiers, everybody would be singing a different tune.

advertisement

Hot Stories

Newsmakers

Featured Stories

Tags

konami

Submit News

Got tips? Send them in!

Related Game

Six Days in Fallujah

Game Stats

Full Game Details »Close
Also on

Recent News

See All News »

Site Blogs