Creator defends Holocaust DS game

Luc Bernard, the man behind DS title Imagination is the Only Escape, has defended his right to explore the issue of the Holocaust in his game.

Speaking exclusively to Eurogamer, he said his motives are to pass on knowledge. "It's to educate children about awareness and racism... There won't be any violent scenes, the bottom screen just displays the reality of what happened - you can find that information in books," Bernard stated.

"I hate World War II shooters. I think they are sick and disgusting. The war is not a game," he continued. "That is why I did this title, to show kids what really happened during the war."

WWII shooters weren't the only games to come under fire from Bernard. "Why can a game like Manhunt go on sale when it's a murdering simulation, and a game like Imagination is the Only Escape - which has no violence and is about a young child trying to escape the horrors of war with his imagination - be banned? Tell me isn't that messed up."

Imagination is the Only Escape is set in Nazi-occupied France during World War II, and casts you as a young Jewish boy who uses a fantasy land as an escape from the atrocities committed around him.

The game is currently in pre-production and aims to prove that videogames can promote a meaningful message.

"The game is far from finished and will not be released until it is perfect," added Bernard.

"The profits I make off this game I plan to donate to Darfur, I am not planning to make money off controversy. I want this game to help show that videogames are not just mindless entertainment."

Imagination is the Only Escape was rumoured to have been blocked from sale Nintendo, which said it had "no plans" to release it in Europe or the US.

However, publisher Alten8 has since clarified that "no one has blocked" the game, but it is simply too early in development to be given a date.