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The makers of a military video game have given a donation to the RSA - Source: ONE News -
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Peace-advocates have labelled a donation given to the Returned Services Association by the makers of military-style video gaming as "counter-productive".
San Francisco-based Wargaming America, creators of the gaming website World of Tanks - a WWII military game where players compete to rule the work with heavy armoured tanks - has donated $31,000 to the New Zealand RSA.
A US Army Captain announced the donation following a three day Anzac Charity Drive on the website where players from around the world were encouraged to show their support for Australian and New Zealand veterans.
However, Peace Foundation president John Hinchcliff is questioning the relationship between the RSA and the gaming company.
He said the company is promoting a "mind-set" in the young players who flock to the website to see glorified images of war.
"So often we hear words from RSA it must never happen again, but to promote something which glorifies such hideous violence seems to be counterproductive," said Hinchcliff.
RSA national president Don Mclver welcomed the donation that will go toward a trust for the welfare of veterans and said he hoped the financial support will continue.
He dismissed claims the company glorify war through World of Tanks and another military-themed web game World of Warplanes.
"If they're not doing it with tanks, they're doing it with airplanes or they're doing it with cars.
"It's a vehicle through which they can express their electronic urges if you like and I don't have any difficulty with us having profit from that for our veterans," said Mclver.
World of Tanks has 20 million registered players world-wide, a large proportion of which are veterans, according to the site's makers.
They say the game educates players on the sacrifice servicemen made during an important period in history.