Peru's 'Vladi-videogame' sparks controversy

A legislator is threatening to sue the game's creators

First Peruvians had the scandal surrounding the so-called "Vladi-videos", now they have the controversial "Vladi-videogame".

In the videos, senior Peruvian politicians were shown apparently receiving money from the disgraced former spy chief, Vladimiro Montesinos, during the government of President Alberto Fujimori.

In the videogame, the same politicians are depicted as dragons, witches, centaurs and two-headed beasts at which cyber-protagonist Niko Judo has to shoot at.

The aim of the game is to hit those believed to be involved in the Montesinos corruption web.

About 10,000 people have bought the game since its release last month, but some politicians are clearly not amused.

Congresswoman Martha Chavez, a staunch Fujimori ally, is portrayed in the game as a witch on a broomstick.

She claims the depiction is unfair and says she is taking the game's creators and distributors to court. There are no legal charges against Ms Chavez in connection with the Montesinos case.

Fernando Gonzales, head of the Golden Image computer firm that devised the game, said he was surprised by the congresswoman's reaction.

"It seems Ms Chavez doesn't have a sense of humour. We haven't made any judgments in the game," he said.

International version

The Montesinos-themed videogame is distributed by Caretas, one of Peru's most important political weeklies.

Its legal representative, Sebastian Zileri, said: "I don't think Martha Chavez is a witch but in the game, Niko doesn't see it that way."

The producers of the game promise that the second version of the game, due to be released next month, will be more international.

"If Fujimori and Montesinos fled the country, Niko Judo will pursue them to fight for justice," said Mr Zileri.