'Kill Mittal' game capitalises on French workers' struggle

Players throw barrels and beams at police in the ‘Kill Mittal' game inspired by the long-lasting struggle in France's northeastern town of Florange to stop the closure of steel blast furnaces owned by Mittal.

Game on: The aim of Kill Mittal is to rally workers to rebel and defeat the robot version of Lakshmi u00a0Mittal. Pic/AFP

"This game is not an incitement to violence or to beat up the big bosses. I purposefully chose the cartoon style and you never see blood," said Alexandre Grilletta, founder of the video game. "The story of the Florange workers was just a good topic, with heroes and baddies, the ingredients to make a good video game," he said.

The closure of the ArcelorMittal-owned steel plant has been the subject of much grief in France. Mittal appears in the game as a robot and players have to rally other workers to help them rebel against security forces by fighting with weapons at their disposal such as big beams or cars.

"In 2030, Mittal has taken hold of, and closed, the majority of steel factories worldwide, tossing out thousands of steelworkers," the game explains. "For these men tired of unfulfilled promises and repeated closures, when all mediation has failed, there is just one solution: Kill Mittal."

Once the robot is defeated, however, the game reminds the player that this was one struggle and that Mittal will be replaced by another. u00a0