New PC game allows Middle East peace

Occupied Jerusalem: Many have tried. All have failed. But with a new computer game, you can make peace in the Middle East.

The software, called "PeaceMaker" and manufactured by Israeli and US programmers in the United States, allows you to play the part of the Israeli prime minister or the Palestinian president and make diplomatic, security and economic decisions.

The interface shows a map of Israel and the Palestinian territories. Windows pop up periodically, each presenting a picture or video of a scenario, such as a Palestinian suicide bombing or an Israeli air strike, likely to trigger a response.

As in real life, each move leads to a reaction by a party to the conflict or within the international community. The goal of the peacemaker is to reach compromises and eventually a peace agreement, leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state.

If you play the Israeli leader and order an air strike following a Palestinian attack, you risk stoking Palestinian anger and more violence. A tough military response might also draw criticism from world powers, who may deny you support.

But if you choose not to respond militarily, you may face criticism at home, and could eventually be voted out of office.

As Palestinian president, you will likely win support from Israel and the international community if you rein in militants after a suicide bombing in the Jewish state, according to the game's parameters.

But confronting militants could make you unpopular among a Palestinian electorate that voted the Islamic group Hamas into office in 2006. A more cautious approach might be to demand Israel stop military action in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

Burak and Eric Brown created the game as a project during their time at Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania, which has since used it in its courses. They began selling it online earlier this year under their label ImpactGames.