When War Is a Game: How Video Game Footage Fuels Conflict Misinformation

ActiveFence researchers have uncovered a troubling trend: video game footage is increasingly masquerading as real-world war content online. From India-Pakistan border skirmishes and the Russia-Ukraine conflict to the Israel-Palestine war and even the recent Los Angeles riots, gaming clips have been repackaged as authentic battlefield scenes. Alarmingly, these fabricated visuals have sometimes been amplified by mainstream media outlets and even government officials, shaping online narratives, and risking real-world consequences.

Introduction: The Mechanics of a Digital Deception

In recent months, clips purporting to show dramatic exchanges along the India-Pakistan border have circulated widely on social media. But behind these seemingly authentic war scenes lies a surprising source: military simulation video games. This is far from an isolated case. Across the Russia-Ukraine conflict and even civil unrest in the United States, ActiveFence has tracked how video game clips are consistently repurposed as “real” conflict footage.

What makes this tactic particularly dangerous is who is sharing it, not only fringe online communities but also influential media outlets, verified social media accounts, and government representatives. Their engagement dramatically expands the reach and perceived credibility of these fake visuals, reshaping how conflicts are perceived worldwide.

Unlike deepfakes or sophisticated AI-generated media, this brand of misinformation requires no advanced tools. Bad actors simply download game clips, add sensational captions, and push the content into social feeds. The barrier to entry is low, making it easy for even unsophisticated players to influence global narratives.

Combat Simulators and the Illusion of Reality

Modern military games, especially those supporting user-generated modifications, can produce hyper-realistic combat footage. Enthusiast communities build custom terrains, weapons, and missions, generating visuals that convincingly mimic real-life aerial battles, armored vehicles, or thermal night-vision shots. The realism is so striking that these clips can easily fool viewers, particularly when paired with shaky camera effects or siren sounds reminiscent of genuine conflict footage.

Moreover, gaming videos often avoid detection by automated moderation systems because they are not technically manipulated or AI-generated content. This allows them to slip under the radar, fueling disinformation campaigns precisely when audiences are most vulnerable, during crises or diplomatic flashpoints.

Case Studies: Global Spread, Local Impact

One of the most impactful examples emerged during the India-Pakistan conflict in May 2025. Two viral videos falsely claimed to show fighter jets being shot down amid escalating border clashes. The footage was widely distributed across social platforms just days before a ceasefire agreement. In reality, both videos originated from a popular combat video game, altered only with captions and overlays designed to resemble real combat scenes.

The timing of this misinformation, coinciding with critical diplomatic negotiations like Operation Sindoor, suggests an intent to influence public sentiment and derail peace efforts. Some of these clips were even circulated by accounts linked to Pakistani government officials, lending them unwarranted legitimacy and endangering governmental credibility.

 

 

 

 

The phenomenon isn’t limited to South Asia. Similar tactics have been used to falsely depict events during the Russia-Ukraine war, the conflict in Gaza, and domestic unrest in the United States. In June 2025, footage falsely claimed to show protesters shooting at National Guard helicopters during the LA riots, prompting heightened tensions and even contributing to wrongful arrests and deportations.

 

 

A crucial factor in the persistence of this content is localization. The same gaming clip might appear with captions in Arabic, Hindi, English, or Russian, tailored to provoke emotional responses in diverse communities. In many cases, these videos spread well before any credible news outlet or fact-checker has time to intervene.

Not Just a Fringe Problem

One of the most alarming aspects of this trend is its penetration into mainstream media. On multiple occasions, reputable news organizations have aired video game clips under the belief they were authentic battlefield footage. For instance, Romania’s Antena 3 CNN channel broadcast gaming footage in 2022 and 2023, incorrectly presenting it as scenes from the Ukraine conflict. Even Argentine broadcaster La Nacion+ mistook video game footage for genuine video of a Ukrainian fighter jet evading Russian anti-aircraft fire.

With fewer reporters on the ground and growing reliance on user-generated content, traditional media outlets increasingly risk unwittingly amplifying false narratives. Once misinformation gains coverage from reputable sources, it becomes exponentially harder to debunk or retract, allowing falsehoods to entrench themselves in public perception.

A Resilient Narrative Weapon: Zombie Content

Debunking these clips is only half the battle. Even after platforms remove them, they often return in slightly altered forms, a phenomenon ActiveFence researchers call “zombie content.” Because the original video game footage remains widely accessible, bad actors can endlessly generate new iterations, making it difficult for platforms and fact-checkers to eliminate these false narratives entirely.

A Dilemma for Game Developers 

Game developers find themselves in a difficult position. While they don’t intend for their creations to be used in misinformation campaigns, restricting game content risks alienating their user communities and stifling creativity. Some studios have taken steps to mitigate misuse, issuing public statements, flagging suspicious clips to social media platforms, and educating audiences on distinguishing in-game footage from real-life events. However, as gaming technology grows ever more realistic, the challenge is likely to intensify.

Why This Matters for Trust & Safety

The repurposing of video game footage into conflict narratives represents a new and uniquely accessible tool for misinformation. It’s not the most technically advanced deception, but it doesn’t have to be. It works because it’s rapid, easy to produce, and “real enough” to sow confusion or outrage on a massive scale.

For trust and safety teams, this threat adds another layer of complexity to an already demanding landscape. Beyond AI-generated media and coordinated disinformation campaigns, they now face this subtler form of analog digital deception. Keeping ahead requires:

• Robust threat intelligence to detect emerging misuse trends early.
• Multilingual monitoring to track the same content as it spreads across languages and regions.
• Human and automated moderation work hand in hand to catch nuanced threats that evade AI alone.

At ActiveFence, our researchers and threat intelligence teams are dedicated to tracking and combating evolving tactics in digital misinformation, including trends like gaming footage masquerading as war content. We combine cutting-edge technology with deep human expertise to help platforms and enterprises stay one step ahead.

Talk to our experts today to discuss how we can help protect your platform and users from emerging threats.