Liputan6.com, Jakarta - On May 11, 2026, the anonymous artist collective The Secret Handshake launched a satirical video game titled Operation Epic Furious: Strait to Hell.
This launch carried out through the installation of three functional arcade cabinets at the D.C. War Memorial and online availability.
Advertisement
The game was specifically designed to criticize the ongoing war between the United States and Iran and highlight how the Trump administration uses video game aesthetics to promote military action.
With its distinctive 16-bit JRPG visual style, players are invited to immerse themselves in a satirical narrative full of digs at foreign policy and political rhetoric.
The Secret Handshake, known for their satirical art installations targeting the Trump administration, stated that "Operation Epic Furious: Strait to Hell" is a direct response to the trivialization of war.
They criticized the use of memes and "hype reels" (promotional videos) featuring footage from popular games like Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto to make war seem "cool, fun, or almost cartoonish," even though the consequences are real death and suffering.
Background and Purpose of the Satirical Game
The Secret Handshake collective is not new to the world of activism art.
This anonymous group of activists and artists has previously made a name for themselves through other satirical art installations on the National Mall, including a golden toilet "throne" statue and a statue of President Donald Trump with Jeffrey Epstein.
Their work always aims to provoke thought and challenge dominant narratives, especially those emanating from the government.
In the context of "Operation Epic Furious: Strait to Hell," their primary goal is to criticize the trivialization of death and suffering resulting from the supposedly unprovoked US attack on Iran.
The game's launch comes amid a shaky ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
The US had previously launched its "Operation Epic Fury" campaign in February, aimed at destroying Iran's offensive missiles, missile production, navy, and other critical infrastructure.
Unique Gameplay and Satirical Elements in the Game
Visually, "Operation Epic Furious: Strait to Hell" adopts 16-bit Japanese role-playing game (JRPG) conventions, providing a retro feel that contrasts with the very modern and serious subject matter.
Players take the role of Donald Trump, a character choice that inherently contains satirical and symbolic elements.
Players are presented with the choice of ordering a Diet Coke or invading Iran.
If the latter option is chosen, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will appear with the line, "Hey boss! Just saw on Truth Social you declared war on Iran. Damn it!"
Trump then responds with the characteristic line, "Some call it war, I call it renovating my Middle East ballroom," underscoring the cynical view of military intervention.
This game element is rife with satire targeting the "Trump Extended Universe."
Players will meet various characters, including Melania Trump, and engage in "fierce tweet battles against Iranian schoolgirls, low-flow shower heads, and other threats to American freedoms like DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and the Pope."
Other characters appearing include "Secretary of War" Pete Hegseth, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Vice President J.D. Vance.
Vladimir Putin is even depicted as a centaur, adding another layer of absurdity.
The game's opening message asks, "Ready to TURN Iran back to the Stone Age?"
The game refers to the president's social media post from early April vowing to send Iranian targets "back to the Stone Age where they belong," with the response options "Not yet...", "Yes," and "Damn it."
Availability and Social Impact
"Operation Epic Furious: Strait to Hell" is not only available as a physical installation, but can also be played online through the website epicfurious.com.
The arcade cabinet is scheduled to remain there for several days after its installation on May 11, 2026, providing an opportunity for more people to interact directly with the artwork.
The presence of satirical games like this has the potential for significant social impact.
By using a familiar medium often associated with entertainment, The Secret Handshake successfully injects political and social criticism into the public consciousness.
This work invites players to think more deeply about the realities behind “pure pixel patriotism” and the long-term implications of a conflict that “may never end.”