So, while lurking on Facebook, I saw on ad for “Hezbi” and I decided to check it out. Turns out it’s an online strategy game (which sorta looks like the first draft of Generals combined with Red Alert 3000) where the opposing teams are Lebanon’s very own beloved political parties.

Among the descriptions are “be part of the fiercest battles ever” (translated poorly from Arabic). Then, I decided to sign up to find out what’s it all about and to see how the game dynamics were. I was disappointed to see that there was no neutral or independent option in the sign up, so, naturally, I wanted to be funny and chose the Communist party.

The game play was sorta 1990s and basically lotsa reading and clicking to get on to a new page of even more reading. But, I don’t blame them, and I’m pretty sure I’d waste many sleepless nights trying to rack up a highscore. What was alarmingly amusing though, was that it’s such a casual thing.

Which shows a lot about us. On the one hand, how unhealthy and depressing our political situation and attitudes are. But on the other, how we can make anything something fun, capitalizing from stuff that would otherwise just make you lose hope in humanity.

Best part is? There’s a disclaimer that “any abuse of a party or religion will result in the immediate ejection of the said player, even if he/she buys a lot of gold coins” (translated from Arabic). Yes indeed, you cannot attack any religion or party on a website based on the “fierce battles” between the aforementioned parties…

Enjoy Hezbi =P