Under Siege (video game)
Encyclopedia
Under Siege is a sequel to the video game Under Ash
designed by Radwan Kasmiya. Like Under Ash, it is a first-person shooter
, with the option of playing the game as a third-person shooter
. The game focuses on the lives of a Palestinian family between 1999 and 2002 during the second Intifada. The player shoots at Israeli Defense Force soldiers throughout most of the game. Shooting at civilians or otherwise hurting them ends the game.
The game has been described as a docugame, since all the game levels are based on actual events documented by United Nations
records (1978–2004).
Under Siege is about the modern history of Palestine and it focuses on the lives of 5 Palestinian family members, during the second Intifada 1999–2002.
The game was released in three versions:
Under Ash
Under Ash is a first-person shooter sometimes explained to be a response to how Arabs are pictured in computer games in general and America's Army in particular...
designed by Radwan Kasmiya. Like Under Ash, it is a first-person shooter
First-person shooter
First-person shooter is a video game genre that centers the gameplay on gun and projectile weapon-based combat through first-person perspective; i.e., the player experiences the action through the eyes of a protagonist. Generally speaking, the first-person shooter shares common traits with other...
, with the option of playing the game as a third-person shooter
Third-person shooter
Third-person shooter is a genre of 3D action games in which the player character is visible on-screen, and the gameplay consists primarily of shooting.-Definition:...
. The game focuses on the lives of a Palestinian family between 1999 and 2002 during the second Intifada. The player shoots at Israeli Defense Force soldiers throughout most of the game. Shooting at civilians or otherwise hurting them ends the game.
The game has been described as a docugame, since all the game levels are based on actual events documented by United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
records (1978–2004).
Under Siege is about the modern history of Palestine and it focuses on the lives of 5 Palestinian family members, during the second Intifada 1999–2002.
- Ahmad, a young man who believes in using armed struggle to solve his people's problems.
- Khaled, an ex-freedom fighter who cooperates with Israeli intelligence because he sees no other way of helping to end the conflict.
- Mary, Khaled's wife and Ahmed's sister, who is meant to symbolize the plight of Palestinian women.
- Mann, a 13 year old boy whose school is frequently closed due to occupation orders.
- Abu Himam, an old veteran who reminds his fellows of the importance of the Palestinian national struggle.
The game was released in three versions:
- UnderSiege "path to freedom" 2006 Arabic only.
- UnderSiege "remnant of human" 2007 Arabic only.
- UnderSiege Golden Edition 2008, English & Arabic.
External links
- Official homepage
- Afkar Media, The Developer
- Article at Water Cooler Games
- Interview with Radwan Kasmiya, author of Under Siege
Academic Sources
- Digital Intifada, article about Afkar Media's games
- Digital Arabs: Representation in Video Games