‘For years I have been writing about the increased propagandizing of video games, specifically first person shooters. Back in July the popular game Call of Duty announced their most recent villain as “the leader of the 99%”. Now it seems that this more overt approach to propaganda in video games is becoming a trend, as another new game has set up a storyline where the villains are violent terrorists who are labeled as “anarchists”.

On August 21, 2012 Valve Corporation and Hidden Path Entertainment released Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, the most recent game in their “Counter Strike” series. One new addition to the “terrorist team” in this game is a group of machine gun wielding masked men called “the anarchists”. In the past the Counter Strike series has also vilified militias as terrorist groups, using the Midwest militia as their strawman.

According to Counter Strike enthusiasts the “new anarchist” team is most likely based on “punk teenager”, judging by the dialogue that takes place during the game. If that is the case, then this game is basically sending the message that so called “punk teenagers” who consider themselves “anarchists” are the bad guys, and not only are they the bad guys but they are actually terrorists who need to be hunted down and killed by the good guys.’