A new online video game in which users are invited to be tramps and steal and fight their way to success has provoked controversy in France, with its makers accused of stoking prejudice against homeless people.
In Clodogame, which means "Trampgame", internet users are invited to progress from being a penniless homeless person in Paris to becoming "king of the streets", the most "talented tramp in Paris" and eventually move in to the Palace of Versailles.
Players are invited to "attack other homeless people", become a "peerless pickpocket", steal from sweet machines, public toilets and laundrettes. They need to learn to play an instrument, choose a pet liable to increase their begging skills, and keep control of their alcohol intake.
The clodogame site's welcome page shows a photo-montage of a tramp in front of the Moulin Rouge.
French homelessness groups reacted with outrage to the free game, which was launched last week and has already attracted 5,000 registered users.
David Berly, the head of a homelessness collective, CDSL, said: "How can one make a game based on great suffering?
"One shouldn't take enjoyment out of the misfortune of others."
Homeless people were divided over the game's accuracy. "The drunken thief looking for a fight, that's not me," François, 44, told Le Parisien.
But Philippe, 50, said: "There is a part of reality [in the game]. It's the law of the jungle in the street. You have to fight to keep your bit of pavement, your wine bottle, your begging money," he said.
Farbflut, the German company that makes it, claims the game has raised young people's awareness of the plight of homelessness. "They are becoming more conscious of the problem. Some of them have even asked where they can send their donations," said a spokesman.
Of course….To make matters worse….It had to be a German software company that produce it….Who says the Germans don’t have a sense of humour!!!
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