Apple doesn't like Afghanistan Wargame

The US government believes it's okay to kill Taliban rebels fighting against American troops in Afghanistan. Apple says it's not okay to fight the Taliban in a video game.

The tech giant removed a war game from its App Store last month, simulating the current war in Afghanistan. "Afghanistan '11 is a simulation of the US campaign in Afghanistan (an expansion pack plays with British Royal Marines). It's a detailed simulation where players take on the role of a US military commander who must take actions to combat uprisings like hunting and destroying Taliban fighters without upsetting the local population."

The British publisher Slitherine released an email it received from Apple regarding the game:

"We are writing to inform you of new information regarding your app, Afghanistan '11, Version 2.0.3, currently live on the App Store. Upon reevaluation, we found that your app does not comply with the App Store Review Guidelines. Specifically, we found:

Security - 1.1.2.2

Your app contains content that references individuals as enemies of a specific government or other real entity within the context of the game. Specifically, your app is a realistic strategy simulation game focusing on US Army operations in Afghanistan in 2011.

To ensure the availability of your app on the App Store is not disrupted, please submit an update within two weeks of the date of this message. Failure to submit an update within two weeks will result in your app being removed from sale."

Despite the grace period given, the game was removed from the App Store on the same day Slitherine received the email.

This is not the first time Apple has removed a conflict game for political reasons. In 2013, a game about the Syrian civil war was pulled, even though it was actually an educational game to inform people about the conflict. In 2015, Apple removed games featuring Confederate flags, although they later allowed some to return to the App Store.

Interestingly, war games set in World War II don't seem to have the same issue, while "Afghanistan '11" apparently stirs controversy because it depicts present-day Taliban fighters.

What's interesting about this simulation is that it tackles a current conflict. And if you look at the surface: the game isn't bloodthirsty at all, but rather tactical. No comparison to average first-person shooters. HERE is the video presentation of the game.

AFGHANISTAN 11 on the web