Konami Drops Controversial Six Days in Fallujah

Publisher Konami has confirmed that it will no longer be publishing Atomic Games’ controversial action game Six Days in Fallujah. "After seeing the reaction to the videogame in the United States and hearing opinions sent through phone calls and e-mail, we decided several days ago not to sell it," a Konami spokesperson tells Japanese newspaper Asahi. "We had intended to convey the reality of the battles to players so that they could feel what it was like to be there." Announced in April, the third person shooter was due for release on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC in 2010. Based on the Second Battle of Fallujah in late 2004, the concept drew instant criticism across the world. Atomic Games aimed to stem the controversy by working with a number of ex-Marines involved in the action and claimed that the idea originally came from veterans of the conflict. "We think Atomic Games used a network [to produce the game]," commented a Konami official in Japan. "But we don't know the connection [between the company and U.S. military forces]." It is currently unclear whether Atomic Games will seek another publisher. Gamasutra has reached out to the developer for comment and will update with any we receive.