Electronic Arts has reversed course in their decision to include the Taliban as playable in Medal of Honor's multipayer. In spite of past statements that the company wouldn't bow to pressure to remove the content, EA cites " feedback from friends and families of fallen soldiers."
Instead of "The Taliban," the multipayer team will be refered to as the much less ominous "Opposing Forces." Gameplay will remain the same.
In a blog post, the game's executive producer Greg Goodrich posted the following:
In the past few months, we have received feedback from all over the world regarding the multiplayer portion of Medal of Honor. We’ve received notes from gamers, active military, and friends and family of servicemen and women currently deployed overseas. The majority of this feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. For this, the Medal of Honor team is deeply appreciative.
However, we have also received feedback from friends and families of fallen soldiers who have expressed concern over the inclusion of the Taliban in the multiplayer portion of our game. This is a very important voice to the Medal of Honor team. This is a voice that has earned the right to be listened to. It is a voice that we care deeply about. Because of this, and because the heartbeat of Medal of Honor has always resided in the reverence for American and Allied soldiers, we have decided to rename the opposing team in Medal of Honor multiplayer from Taliban to Opposing Force.
While this change should not directly affect gamers, as it does not fundamentally alter the gameplay, we are making this change for the men and women serving in the military and for the families of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice - this franchise will never willfully disrespect, intentionally or otherwise, your memory and service.
To all who serve - we appreciate you, we thank you, and we do not take you for granted. And to the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines currently serving overseas, stay safe and come home soon. Greg Goodrich Executive Producer Medal of Honor.
Just for contrast sake, check out this statement from EA president Frank Gibeau, from back in August:
“There’s a lot of furor around games that take creative risks – like games that let you play terrorists in airports mowing down civilians... At EA we passionately believe games are an artform, and I don’t know why films and books set in Afghanistan don’t get flack, yet [games] do. Whether it’s Red Badge Of Courage or The Hurt Locker, the media of its time can be a platform for the people who wish to tell their stories. Games are becoming that platform."
This is what we call a flip-flop... but one that, to me, makes perfect sense. What do you guys think?
Comments are Closed
Comments
Displaying 181–186 of 186
912345678910
White_Worm
I don't think of this as a "flip-flop" as much as considering a point that was not considered before (the comments from the families). It does make sense the way they've explained it, and I'm glad to see consideration win over controversy.
jc18378
So we are fighting a war for freedoms like this and yet we can't use that freedom? B.S. when are we going to start to just accept the fact that things aren't always going to be pretty. There is always a bad side and a good side. Whoever you think is bad or good is always relative.
John-Galt
It is despicable how public opinion can affect private industry. Who care's what they are named? Clearly the Opposing Forces are the Taliban. Not only that, but the fighters of the Taliban should not be named the enemy. It is like saying the German soldiers in Natzi Germany were the enemy, they were not. The oppressive government that forced them to fight were. These soldiers, like American soldiers, are not fighting for ideals, they are just fighting because someone told them to. Does anyone ever take the time to think of the families of the soldiers under the Taliban? No, and they probably go under more trauma than those in America/ Europe.
down311
More like the game hasn't generated enough buzz to sell the 3 million copies needed to break even and they desperately need publicity any way they can get it.
This game looks great but it's being launched between Halo and Black Ops. If anything, maybe they should pull it and take the original Gears 3 date in April.
duhreetoh
Ugh, this makes the execs at EA look like total ducks (with an i) with no foresight whatsoever.
wilstar77
FAIL.
Aren't we fighting Al-Qaeda anyway? Are we removing the word Nazi, Viet-Cong and Lucust from future games? This type of censorship is B.S.
Displaying 181–186 of 186
912345678910