German computer game offers therapy for angry europhobes

A German computer company has developed a computer game they hope will capitalise on euro-phobia before the end of the year. "Boot of Death" is a chance for all europhobes to stop the introduction of the euro before it starts and is based on the popular German computer game "Grouse Hunt".

Set on a cartoon rendition of the map of Europe, the game begins when "banking bureaucrats" set out from Brussels carrying suitcases loaded with euro notes and coins. Their intention is to reach Berlin, Dublin and the other euro-zone capitals and switch the local currencies for euros.

The challenge for the player is to preserve the local currencies by stopping the bureaucrats reaching the capitals, by stamping on them with the boot of death of the game's title. The Brussels bureaucrats, who like the real thing have a variety of tricks to ensure their survival, can be hindered in their task by throwing "typical national specialities" at them, like baguettes, beer bottles and, oddly enough, an exploding cow. Programmer Mr Holger Kuchling is sure that German euro angst will make him a rich man and he says he hopes it will "give politicians and bankers a crisis too". He's not the only German hoping to make a few marks from euro angst while there are still marks to be made. Singer Beppo Pohlmann has written a song called Auf Wiedersehen Du Deutsche Mark, which he describes as "a kind of love song that should make it easier to say goodbye".

Mr Pohlmann denies being a europhobe, but hestill holds out hope that Germany has n'ot seen the last of their beloved mark. With less than two months left to e-day, the Bundesbank has relaunched a campaign featuring the German host of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? The advertisements urge children to hand over the "schlafmuenzen" or "sleeping change" they find down the back of the sofa. Even Finance Minister Hans Eichel is trying to get in the spirit, starring in a new cinema advertisement to promote the single currency.