Since we have video games as topics in the past few days, then it's my turn to write about one. It's not about SAS, it's not about Navy SEALS, and definitely it's not about Task Force 141. But it's more about the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) being the good guys which is making the powers-that-be in Beijing extremely happy. At least they get to kick America's ass in this video game in which they are the good guys.

According to People's Daily Online, the PLA has released a shooter video game called "Glorious Mission". This was developed by PLA's Nanjing Military Region in cooperation with Giant Interactive Group (Wuxi). This which may be used in recruitment or instilling more patriotism among the Chinese when it gets a broader release. The Chinese PLA is not a pioneer in this one, since the US Army already has "America's Army" released years ahead and serves as a recruitment tool as the US needs troops in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

More from People's Daily Online:

"The Glorious Mission is set from a soldier's perspective and his barracks life. The game follows along as the soldier keeps promoting himself in training and finally qualifies to join a large-scale military exercise codenamed 'Glorious Mission' and how he does in the military exercise."

Of course, the enemy in the military exercise is the US Military, where the Chinese soldier, in all patriotic fervor, gets to blow up tanks, and kill US troops. Since the Chinese Type 97 does not get some recognition in many famous video games, it's the primary assault rifle in this video game.

I wonder if US gamers would like to download and try this game, if it gets to have an English language version and freely available for download worldwide. After all, some of the popular shooter video games have Russians, North Koreans, and Chinese as villains. But given the controversy in the "Taliban Missions" in Medal of Honor "Tier One", there will be strong reactions against US video gamers trying this out.

Most probably, the next flame wars in the video game forums will be about "Which is better? 'Glorious Mission' or "America's Army".

Let the (video) games begin.

Hat tip to Yan for pointing this story to us.