Video games revel in war

War is a key ingredient in many successful video games, argues Daniel Etherington of BBCi Collective in his weekly games column.

Manga stylings of Advance Wars 2

In traditional terms at least, war got a reputation for whipping a nation's youth into shape, as well as killing and maiming them.

But war is certainly good for one thing, business and in the virtual world of video games, they are very good business.

War and soldiering are responsible for a vast number of games - be they contemporary Tom Clancy franchise entries or classics like 1942, first-person shooters or PC strategy games.

The list is endless, reflecting the myriad permutations of scenarios based on notions of armies fighting and men killing each other.

The games I have been playing in the past few weeks are no exemption.

Chess anyone?

Knights Of The Old Republic has the backdrop of a Sith/Republic war and PlanetSide creates an astonishing sense of involvement in large-scale, real-time campaigns.

At the other end of the scale-spectrum, Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising on GameBoy Advance offers more miniaturised marvels in the same vein as its essential forebear from 2002.

Many war-based video games also provide is a sense of "playing war". This is something most boys (and girls) committed hours to as children Discuss this story on BBCi Collective

"You're always thinking about it, you enjoy war like a good game of chess," taunts one of the baddies during the game.

The mention of chess is pertinent. Some have noted before that Advance Wars is related to chess.

Chess presents the essence of strategic thinking. It has long been the place for people to exercise the cerebrum in such matters without actually having to join the army and work their way up the ranks to commander-in-chief and kill real people.

And yet, I find it dull. Give me Advance Wars any day, with its narratives, varied battlefields and manga stylings.

Many war-based video games also provide is a sense of "playing war". This is something most boys (and girls) committed hours to as children.

Some men retain this kick by playing paintball, but, for those of us less inclined to such mess and expense, games can be the answer.

So war, huh, what is it good for? Absolutely something and that is gaming.

It is just a pity that unethical politicians keep insisting on the dubious real-world equivalent.