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 121–140 of 186
6123456789108
Doctor_SyN
So the "overwhelmingly positive" feedback is basically worth cat piss when compared to the minority who are against this aspect of the game? Thanks EA for basically telling us that the majority opinion doesn't matter. I wonder how many of those negative opinions actually belonged to people or families who really play or planned to buy/play the MOH game
thesecks
I know its the toweliban. You know its the toweliban. Lets just kill some Jihadist scum. Mind you I did not say Muslims. I said Jihadist scum.
DreamingDarklyRobin
How does this change anything? Virtual Marines are still going to be killed with virtual bullets, except just now by random middle eastern people. Way to encourage racism, EA. It seems Activision does have more balls than you do.
UNrealx007
You guys do realize that it is just a word right? or does the word taliban being in a game make you feel like your making a difference?
thesmokeydice
if were ever to advance to a social climate to where we can label the opposing forces for who they are modeled after. video games are the artistic outlet to where were going to do it. and if video game makers are going to back down for fear of offending someone or a group of people, and alter their "work of art", then it is not art. art is unforgiveable, it is bold. Art is the mirror the artist holds up to the world and says, "look at ourselves and see what we are and what were capable of." I've not met a person that supports the troops AND their families more than i, yet i feel that this label change has been done by pressure of moral force.they feel if they keep the name "taliban" in the game then it will be a slap in the face of the servicemen and women that have paid that ultimate sacrifice. That much is understandable and if they feel that way then they are (of course) entitled to it. but to change your product due to public opinion, It is not art.
grotschm
To all the 12 yrs who keep yelling censorship that is bs.This is called not kicking someone why they are down.How can you say i support my troops and the play a game where you are shooting them.High five on that one.whats next "gas a jew" for jewish kids or "own a black man"for black kids.just because you have freedoms dont mean common sense should go out the window.
TD_ThA_MoNsTa
I hate it when game companies cave into pressure from outside media groups givin em flack over things like this. It was a really small creative decision that had people going nuts, and despite that, they stood by it. I can understand on why they decided to step back from their original decision, and I'm still buying this when it comes out day one. But still, can't help but think, WTF?
Biergoggles
I've read and listened to countless of interviews with Greg Goodrich and totally respect his opinion. I get it, so I'm not going to complain because for me since it is only a name change and is only in multiplayer, the game is still going to play like it did with the Taliban label in it.
fkain23
yea bend over ea
JOKERNJ732
wow. this is so ridiculous. What's next? Are the Germans gonna start crying about nazi's being killed in games and we have to call them friendzies. Seriously america, you need to stop being like this. I can't curse in this forum so i am being forced to hold back a lot of my emotion. But lets just say this is BS and america should f themselves in the A with a molton hot fire poker.
hardwire
this is a great move on your part ea dont fall to the shock factor that iw did your better then this
CFenix
I can sort of see why EA has decided to do this. Games that have U.S. forces fighting against previous adversaries wouldn't be very offensive because most likely, the scars from those past conflicts haven't necessarily healed, but they are certainly aren't still fresh in the minds of those who were hurt by those scars. Now in this situation where our servicemen and women are giving their lives as I type this comment, the scars are still fresh and there are still plenty more to come. I don't think that EA should have or ever was required to remove the word Taliban, but I think they are trying to show that they cherish and respect our servicemen and women more than they cherish their freedom to use a word.
Vesuvian Ast3r1x
On a lighter tone and completely unrelated note: Is it just me or does Stephen Johnson look just like the guy in the picture?
TheJester6688
Wussies! (with a p)
IllusiveShepard
Damm!
joer22784
I was really planning on picking this game up over the new Call of Duty because I hate to give Activision my money but this is crap, Should have left the game exactly the way it was, now im gonna have to get another COD game that i'll hate after a month or two. They better not start messing with BioWare games or I will never buy an EA game again
sirrogue2
If I recall correctly, Modern Warfare 2 had an option to skip the "No Russian" stage. This allowed for the freedom - so to speak - and the choice to avoid the airport massacre. Why didn't EA follow IW's example and allow the player to choose what the enemy's organization moniker would be? I think it serve the purpose better than having a nameless "Opposing Force." That way, I could call the terrorists "Ultra-Douchey Bags of Waste" or something.
I wonder if EA would have censored the enemy's organization if it happened to be another nation-state... like if we were fighting the Russians. Or Communist China. North Korea, anyone? Or is the war on drugs more acceptable to you?
WOR_Makaveli
weak!!!!!!!!!!!!!
kpatt2006
omg who cares?? the game isn't worth getting anyway. Just rent it, play the possibly decent story that wasn't developed by dice, and take it back! If u want it for multiplayer, stick with BFBC2 or CoD. EA is losing their touch for whatever reason lately. Seems like they just put out games in hopes of making lots of money, not really caring about the product. I guess that's what happens when you get as big as EA though.
Vesuvian Ast3r1x
NOT A SIMPLE NAME CHANGE!
You know what this goes far beyond the whole current conflict and being sensitive. I personally feel that if I buy this game give them that 60 bucks, I'm not just buying a game. I would as if I'm actually supporting the censorship of free speech, I mean isn't that what makes a makes a free nation, a free nation? Isn't that that what makes a nation like America great? Isn't that what makes you different from THEM?!! Remember what this war is about, it's essentially about protecting freedom for all and if you agree with this name change as simple or trivial an affair it may seem to be remember that you're actually supporting censorship of an art. Politics has no place in art.
Displaying 121–140 of 186
6123456789108