ADL has long tracked the growth of extremism on the Internet, but the use of computer video games as a source of revenue and recruitment for hate groups is a new and deeply troubling development. We are especially concerned that similar open-source software could enable racists to develop even more sophisticated games in the future. Already, the National Alliance, a violent neo-Nazi group, is selling "Ethnic Cleansing" and is promising to market and sell similar games. We hope that you find this development as offensive as we do.

While we strongly support the First Amendment right of gamers to use software to create modified versions of popular games or new games, we are concerned that racists and anti-Semites will continue to use open-source engines to spread hate and bigotry. We urge you and responsible members of the software industry to consider setting an industry-wide standard that would help stop hate groups from turning open-source games into propaganda tools. This might include developing guidelines, included within the games' licensing agreements, that would prevent the software from being used to create games that include hateful themes and content.

We look forward to your response and working with you.

Sincerely, Abraham H. Foxman National Director