The Ulster Unionist Party has described as "tasteless and insensitive" an internet website game in which players sign on as republican or loyalist paramilitaries to engage in virtual killing and criminality.
The Hooded Gunman website created by Warren Dowey from Newtownabbey on the outskirts of Belfast has almost 3,000 registered users from all over the world. Players are challenged to make money through drug dealing, prostitution, counterfeiting and killing their enemies.
According to the website, players can win up to £1,000, laptops and other prizes. Games are free but players can buy additional moves. They can also purchase accessories such as hoodies, key rings and mugs.
Mr Dowey devised The Hooded Gunman idea and set it up in March, figuring that there were many online Mafia and other similar games, but nothing related to the Northern conflict.
His website describes the game as "the world's first and only online game about the Northern Ireland Troubles" which allows players "get rid of all your frustrations . . . about Northern Ireland terrorism".
Victims' organisations such as Wave have criticised the site, but Mr Dowey said the game was therapeutic for victims and that it portrayed paramilitaries as criminals.
"We created this game so that people will be aware of the ridiculous reasoning behind these Troubles," says his site.
It adds that the game is "intended as fun and to poke a finger in ridicule" and that it in "no way reduces the severity of the atrocities" or the pain and suffering that victims suffered.
"We believe that there should be no further segregation in our society. So, please play the game and have some fun, in the knowledge that although this is only a game, the Troubles were very real indeed," it states.
UUP victims' spokesman Derek Hussey said Mr Dowey should remove the game from the internet.
"There is nothing glamorous or playful about paramilitarism in Northern Ireland. At a time when many victims are coming to terms with the new dispensation and politicians are trying to draw a line under the past, this type of nonsense does not help," he said.
