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?
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Mystyr_E
I guess a Taliban teabagging an American soldier does sound kind of rough when you think about it. Oh and can you imagine the chatting in the multiplayer lobby from people? if they're on the "OpFor" team?
Worzeth
This is total BS.
thegreymirror
The article didnt explain what the problem was with the "friends and families of fallen soldiers". I mean, ok, they dont want the Taliban as a playable character in the game. But why?
mlyonsd
I honestly would have a problem playing as the Taliban fighting and killing American or British forces. I do think that EA should have kept the talibitches in the game. I would have a problem with it but I would just not play multiplayer.
DANK1192
Before this news I respected EA's stand against public opinion but they totally pussied out here, I was torn between buying this or black ops, now i'm definitely going with black ops
atra7xdude
sitting by my self as i scream, "WHAT THE EFFFFFFFFFFFFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?!?!?!?!?!?!
tyrrin
Sell outs! I am a Soldier I have fought in both Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001, and I have NO problem with this.
PoorPeruvian
i understand about families of soldier that die from the Taliban, but many of the people who complain about the game aren't going to buy it
cracker1138
lol why is everyone so mad about the change, i mean really, they did it cause of how it might affect some people who might be offended, how many game companies put that much consideration in a game for people and not cause its what they want? i appauld ea.
p.s it was only in multiplayer it wont affect the game at all and in single player u still know its the talyibaen.
pp.s i spelt the above word ^^^^^^^^ wrong because i have no respect for them and refuse to say or spell it right.
Murdering Robot
It's EA's game, they can choose to publish, or not, whatever content best serves their bottom line. But please EA, don't make like your main concern is the emotional well-being of the families of our fallen heroes. If it were, you woudn't have held onto the controversy for so long to bolster the word-of-mouth publicity for your game. The wind is only blowing one direction here, and its towards the bank.
joseph_martinez91
The biggest problem I have with the name change is how EA caved in so close to the release date. If you check the news section of the game's website, there is article after article where EA, the studio, and members of the Armed Service repeatedly defend the inclusion of the Taliban. However at the top of the page there is a single press release that basically says "We give in".
Lord Kotick 1- EA 0
IBloodstormI
Way to bend over and take one in the rear EA.
So what, Nazi's aren't off limits even though they were far worse and killed many more, but the Taliban is taboo. I'm tired of this BS.
Doctor_SyN
What I find ridiculously stupid about this is that while these people want to complain about a game aspect featuring the Taliban, they'll take their behinds to the movies and watch Hurt Locker and other films set in the Mid-East that feature Taliban, Al-Queda, etc killing soldier. I'm really curious to figure out how changing a name to "Opposing Forces" is supposed to make the complainers feel better... Then you have the military talking about how they wont sell the MOH game on bases because of the idea that in Multiplayer you could have Taliban killing American soldiers.... So they'd rather have a game out with a bunch of virtual American soldiers killing each other..... People need to grow up. As a LONG time gamer, I'm sick and tired of killing Nazis. That crap is OLD. Personally speaking, WWII was well before my time. I'd relish a chance to play a game set in Wars/Conflicts that I can say I remember or lived through. And Yes, i'd play a game that actually let you play as an "Insurgent". Not because I'm against my country or troops, but give me something new for once.
TheBRADLeyB
EA: don't trust us! We always lie. We are fine having zero credibilty.
I mean come on! If you are going to give in, give in day one. Don't try to milk it and pretend to have integrity just for publicity and then wuss out!
This is why games aren't free speech. Because of bs pr moves like this.
lowkevmic
@grotschm-That actually doesn't make any sense. To use jews or blacks to compare to what's going on in the middle east is to imply that American soilders are there against their will, and are actually oppressed. When in fact we are there against the wishes of a lot of those who live here in America and those living in the middle east. So to play as the Taliban, I really don't see how that is disrespecting anyone?? I also don't see how we are so quick to justify any and every war we fight as our way to defending our freedoms, yet we will keep all gamers from playing a game a certain way, because of the feelings of a few moms of fallen soilders?? If we are defending a freedom, then we must defend all aspects of it, even if a few people don't approve of it.
ww2_honor
Sellouts......I can't even express my feelings on here because the filter would block out everything I have to say about Fox news.
V_Translanka
They totally just lost cred from everyone except the people who were being turned by media into thinking what calling some virtual representations of terrorists would somehow emotionally impact them even though they weren't going to play the game at all. I just lost not only any modicum of respect I had for them initially sticking to their guns, but I've also lost interest in the game because of that...if they're willing to back down from that, what else are they willing to compromise in their art...?
hiphopopotomus
Lets get one thing clear: this isn't a censorship issue, its a public relations issue.
Aerindel_Prime
Lame.
Purplehasiso
It's all about money.
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