Representation of Muslims in Digital Games

Western and Muslim digital game producers have opposite approaches on Muslim image. Representation of Muslims in western digital games is the same as much of mainstream media: Muslims are terrorists. The Middle East is chosen as the battlefield with Muslims as the terrorist enemies, especially in first person shooter games. Winning the game depends on how many Muslims are killed in the game. The players have to play as an American soldier in the great majority of these games. They have no other option. If the players have an option to play as a Muslim soldier, they have a little chance to win the game. So the western games urge the players to be an American soldier and identify with them. Simultaneously, Muslim digital game producers made some games as a response to western games. Muslim soldiers are heroes and American/Israeli soldiers are the enemies in these games. These games are highly political and are most often based on the Israel-Palestine conflict. On the other hand, some non-political digital game producers focus on just positive Muslim image