Parody Games Not Kind to Former Brit P.M. Maggie Thatcher
Psst! Hey kid, over here!
I can tell by looking at you that you're the kind of gamer who is bored with the same old thing. Halo, GTA, Legend of Zelda - child's play. You're craving the hard stuff. The kind of plain-brown-wrapper game you just can't find at your local Wal-Mart. You're looking for Margaret Thatcher games.
Don't look so surprised. Reading people is my business and Thatcher curiosity is written all over your face. One of the most notable British politicians in recent history, Thatcher's economic reforms and tough stances on social issues have earned her an equal number of supporters and detractors over the years. The detractors, however, seem to be the ones creating all of the Thatcher-based games.
Maggie's Dead is surely among the Thatcher-haters, celebrating as it does the former Prime Minister's failing health. The site offers games based on several episodes of Thatcher's controversial political career. These include Whack-a-Miner. Here players deal with a U.K. miners' strike by clubbing picketing miners in the head with a truncheon. The game is loosely based on real events surrounding the British mine strikes of 1984-85. Oh, and bonus points for walloping National Union of Mineworkers President Arthur Scargill.
Save the Milk! lampoons yet another controversial event in Thatcher's career. Before becoming P.M., Thatcher served as Secretary for Education and Science. As part of a budget cut she eliminated free milk in schools. In Save the Milk! you once again play Thatcher nemesis Arthur Scargill, desperately rowing back and forth in an attempt to catch the milk Thatcher is dumping into the Thames.
There you go kid. That ought to hold you. No need to thank me. That glazed-over look in your eyes says it all.
-Dealing from San Diego, GP Correspondent Andrew Eisen has exactly what you need