Cable network GSN introduced its latest “topical” game yesterday with the release of the “Saddam Hussein’s Hangman” game on its Web site at GSN.com.

The game features an animated Mr. Hussein who fires back phrases such as “Americans can’t spell” or “I laugh at your letters” as users input letters to guess the missing word or phrase.

The Saddam Hussein game is the latest in a new gaming initiative that began in late summer when GSN introduced an animated online game that mocked Mel Gibson’s drunk-driving arrest. The network also launched “Throw the Book at O.J” earlier this month, letting users throw animated books at the former football star.

GSN’s John P Roberts, senior VP of digital media, said the network has started this new online game initiative to make the site a destination to entertain viewers. “If we are the network for games, we should be the Web site for games,” he said.

When GSN started its new effort in late August, it checked in that month with 444,000 unique monthly visitors, according to Nielsen//NetRatings. That number that rose to 654,000 in September as Web users played the Mel Gibson game, dipped to 406,000 in October and ticked back to 446,000 in November. GSN expects a rise in December from the O.J. game.

(Editor: Gilbert)