WOW detractor's controversial support for patriotic game

An educator known for his high-profile campaign against Internet overuse and online gaming has come under fire for singing the praises of a patriotic new game.

Tao Hongkai, who once labeled World of Warcraft "mental opium," took a U-turn in his attitude upon the release of a Chinese online game in which players take on the role of Chinese soldiers fighting Japanese invaders during WW2.

A press release issued on May 21 quoted Tao as saying the game, named Liangjian 2, meaning drawing sword, is "healthy" and can enlighten adolescents with the courage and spirit of Chinese heroes.

His remarks have whipped up a storm on the Internet. While many netizens have expressed suspicion that he has been paid for the new stance, others said Tao's "betrayal" had compromised China's campaign against excessive online gaming.

"His credibility has crumbled into pieces, yet it is not the first time a so-called expert has flip-flopped," one poster wrote on Sina Weibo, China's most popular microblogging site.

Tao, in an interview with Xinhua on Wednesday, said the potshots have made him more determined to accept the invitation to become the game's spokesman, and would now do so free of charge in a show of support.

"Some online games invited celebrities with poor reputations and even porn stars as their spokespeople, so what's wrong with having an educator in this position?" Tao asked.

Tao said his new role did not contradict his previous comments against "harmful" online games, whose unrealistic elements, according to the critic, were the main reason for such games' potential to become addictive.

"Liangjian 2 is very realistic as it is based on China's war against Japanese aggression, which is why I've been supportive of it," he explained.

Online games with revolutionary or patriotic themes are indeed rare in the Chinese market, which is overrun with swordplay and fantasy. The slogan "Pure passion! Come and fight!" is emblazoned across Liangjian 2's home page.

Tao's argument, however, has not been well received among Chinese netizens, who said the realism of a game might have nothing to do with its ability to obsess players.

Tao, a Chinese-born American, made his name in 2004 by leading a campaign to rescue Chinese youngsters from net addiction. He has since attacked a series of famous online games, including World of Warcraft and The Legend of Mir.

In one of his most disputed tirades, Tao suggested a woman hooked on the Internet could not qualify as a mother.