It's Just a Game: an open letter to anyone who has been affected by pointless violence
Since we've launched the game, we've been asked many times in the media what we would say to someone who had lost a friend or relative in the 'war on terror'.
We knew, long before we were asked that question publicly that we didn't really know what we would say. What would you say? What can you say? We asked ourselves what if we had lost someone close to us. It was difficult for us too, at times, over the past three years, grappling with such a tough subject while world events unravelled around us. It's safe to say we questioned what we were doing.
We questioned it and then we carried on. We were, if anything, more certain of our aims, the more people who died needlessly. That goes for London, Madrid, Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon ... And anywhere else where terrorism and the use of violence in the name of the 'war on terror' has resulted in casualties, death, loss, pain. All of these events took place during the time we were developing our game and it doesn't look like it's going to end any time soon. In our opinion, it will never end until people start talking honestly about the real issues: What is terrorism? Why is it happening? What part are we playing in it?
Despite what the press seem to think, 7/7 is not in the game. Neither is 9-11. It's about the War on Terror on a more general scale - it's about questioning a tactic of violence to counter violence, which has only resulted in further chaos and violence. Yes, you can play 'Suicide Bomber' cards. But you can also play 'War' cards and 'Nuclear Weapons' cards. It's funny how we've had no reporters asking us incredulously about the latter.
So we're still not sure what we'd say to people affected by such horrific violence, wherever it occurs - the war on terror effects everybody. But we wanted to make a small contribution to the debate. A debate, which should naturally include victims of terrorism, service men and women, people worried about their civil liberties or anyone who watches the news.
We know some people might view this cynically, but we'd like to invite anyone who wants to, to contact us. We'd like to know what you think in your own words - not just filtered through the media - and we'd like the chance to do the same.
This is a just a game. Not even a toy gun. A game we hope will be fun and thought-provoking, but a game nevertheless. Just because we treat it with humour doesn't mean we don't take it seriously.
Andy Tompkins and Andrew Sheerin
TerrorBull Games