The controversial game 1378 KM, which sees players play the part of an West German border guard or an East German escapee, has now been released online. The controversy erupted last October when it was revealed Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design were releasing the game via one of their students saying:
Through the personal identification as a fugitive of the republic or a border guard, and the intensive experience of the border areas, the interest of the young generation in the conflict of recent German history will be awakened.
Demand for the game has been so strong that it brought down the University’s servers according to one report from Reuters. The developer Jens Stober has issued a justification for the game saying:
In this computer game – which would not be the case in, for example, a documentary film – I personally have the control over my behavior and my reactions, which take place in real time and in changing situations. The game 1378(km) does not force someone playing the “border soldiers” to shoot the “refugees”. Players are left with the freedom of choice. You are only able to win 1378(km) when you do not shoot. The rules of the game are inspired by the situation at the former Inner German Border. Border camps, death strips, and orders to shoot are what make the game brutal. I deeply regret that the victims of the former border and their families and relatives have felt cause for injury. This was never part of my intention.
Decide for yourself what you think by playing the game here.
