A look at obscure video game references to the Moorhead Mosque vandalism

The vandalism on the Moorhead Mosque shows a bizarre scorpion tail emblem, and the quote 'Kane Lives'. but what does that mean? MOORHEAD - The scorpion

Un regard sur les références obscures du jeu vidéo sur le vandalisme de la mosquée Moorhead

The vandalism on the Moorhead Mosque shows a bizarre scorpion tail emblem, and the quote ‘Kane Lives’. but what does that mean?

MOORHEAD – The scorpion emblem and ‘Kane lives’ quote both refer to the once-popular video game series, Command and Conquer. It dates back to 1995, first developed by Westwood Studios.

Command and Conquer is a fictional war strategy game in which the Global Defense Initiative competes with the cult Brotherhood of Nod for control of a resource called Tiberium. Nod is considered “the bad guys”, led by Kane. He is a long-time mysterious superhuman, who fights for world power using his charismatic leadership and the armies of the Brotherhood of Nod.

Throughout video game history, Kane is believed to have died at some point. It was later revealed that he was still alive, starting the quote “Kane Lives”.

This fictional villain shares themes with totalitarian rulers and fascism. But Kane and the Brotherhood of Nod aren’t specifically tied to in-game racism or sexism – just world domination. “Kane lives” is also not related to racism in the game. It is simply a well-known quote from the series.

“Kane lives” was spray painted on the Moorhead mosque with two scorpion logos from the game, with the word “Nod” under one of them.

Authorities still do not know why they were included in the racist and sexist graffiti.

Over 20 games in the Command and Conquer series have been released between 1995 and 2020.