US Army ban sale of latest Medal of Honour game.

[HotFezz8]

I know this isn't new news, but having read through the comment I feel the need to publish this on this forum.

"... I remember playing the Medal of Honor: Allied Assault multiplayer on PC way back in the day. A non-gaming friend raised an eyebrow when he noticed I was playing as the Germans and asked if it bothered me I was a Nazi killing U.S. soldiers. My answer: ... if I were somehow playing that same game as WWII was still raging in 1944, I think I would feel much differently. Put simply: it's too soon, EA." (Sharkey, http://uk.xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/medal-of-honor-2010/1118181p1.html, 2010)

the critical words "it's too soon". This pretty much sums up my opinion on the latest MoH game, too much, too soon.

that said im not advocating censureship, thats wrong. what i think you should do if you disagree with some part of the game (and what i will be doing) is not to buy it. as said recently on the excellent Extra Credits, customers should punish the industry for something that shouldn't exist.

*EDIT* yes, CoD 6 was batshit fucking insane, and if we had known what was in that it would have generated similar threads from me. but what sort of excuse is that?? "CoD 6 did it, so MoH can as well." surely you learned that argument was flawed as a child?

 

[Ironic Pirate]

But, it's multiplayer. If the word "taliban" wasn't there, there would be no controversy. It's the same gameplay as with the US, you just have AK-47s instead of M4 carbines.

Also, this was already posted in a news article here.

 

[Blue_vision]

I believe this has been posted before, link 404'd me, and it's not too soon. People need to realize that America aren't the generic good guys. Americans are fucking up Afghanis just as much as Al-Quaida fucked up America in 9/11. If that realization starts with playing Taliban in online multiplayer, then so be it.

EDIT: Tell me if I need to explain more. I'd really like to get this point out crystal clear.

 

[Flying-Emu]

They didn't ban it, they refused to sell it on-base. Which isn't that big a deal. I see their point, and respect that it might offend veterans and families of fallen soldiers.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Reminds me of that South Park episode. You know the one, country and rock 'n roll. Americans can denounce war yet go to war at the same time. Land of the free... unless your game has players using Iraqighastaffian terrorist wigwhams off a woofing engine. Just to be clear, this isnt directed as a dig at Americans, rather the hypocrisy of what the US army are 'at war to protect' in the first place. Incidently, isn't the 'Opposing Force (OpFor)' in Modern Warfare basically the Taliban with a non-specific name?

 

[subject_87]

Here's my idea: If people find the Taliban side objectionable, there's a free, opt-in patch that reskins them as giant vegetables or something.

 

[D3l7a3ch0]

I don't understand why they felt the need to develop a whole chunk of the game from the taliban perspective. monumental bad taste, imo. I think it's understandably not supported for sale on military posts.

in other news: Target still does not carry explicit lyrics albums... Wal Mart not making moves to sell rated M games.

[sponsored ad: support your local gamestop. like you have a choice. and no, we don't have battletoads. here suck on these.]

 

[demoman_chaos]

As someone else said, if they rename them to something else, there would be no controversy. But that won't happen because they are banking on the controversy to sell the game.

 

[SalamanderJoe]

I mentioned this somewhere else but DICE should have seen this coming, and created the multiplayer to be a side-story where instead of the Taliban it was a rogue unit or an 'un-named' terrorist cell. See that would smart...but no DICE, you had to go all contraversial...

 

[HotFezz8]

I believe this has been posted before, link 404'd me, and it's not too soon. People need to realize that America aren't the generic good guys. Americans are fucking up Afghanis just as much as Al-Quaida fucked up America in 9/11. If that realization starts with playing Taliban in online multiplayer, then so be it.

EDIT: Tell me if I need to explain more. I'd really like to get this point out crystal clear.

this has got nothing to do with the ethics of the war, or who is the good guy in this war (short answer: no one involved is).

the point is that this is offensive to people who have friends (like me) and family out fighting in Afghanistan now. MoH seems to be creating controversy (by naming one side the taliban and setting the game in Helman provence) just to generate publicity and thus money.

what some peopel call a distressing and life rendering situtation MoH calls "kachinngg!"

 

[Daystar Clarion]

I believe this has been posted before, link 404'd me, and it's not too soon. People need to realize that America aren't the generic good guys. Americans are fucking up Afghanis just as much as Al-Quaida fucked up America in 9/11. If that realization starts with playing Taliban in online multiplayer, then so be it.

EDIT: Tell me if I need to explain more. I'd really like to get this point out crystal clear.

this has got nothing to do with the ethics of the war, or who is the good guy in this war (short answer: no one involved is).

the point is that this is offensive to people who have friends (like me) and family out fighting in Afghanistan now. MoH seems to be creating controversy (by naming one side the taliban and setting the game in Helman provence) just to generate publicity and thus money.

what some peopel call a distressing and life rendering situtation MoH calls "kachinngg!"

I respect people who choose to defend their country, regardless of nationality, and the publicity holds a lot of water, but maybe MOH just wanted to show both sides of the conflict, humanising them in possibly a thought provoking way. We're all human afterall.

 

[D3l7a3ch0]

shooting at soldiers dressed in the CURRENT uniform is the kicker

 

[enzilewulf]

Reminds me of that South Park episode. You know the one, country and rock 'n roll. Americans can denounce war yet go to war at the same time. Land of the free... unless your game has players using Iraqighastaffian terrorist wigwhams off a woofing engine. Just to be clear, this isnt directed as a dig at Americans, rather the hypocrisy of what the US army are 'at war to protect' in the first place. Incidently, isn't the 'Opposing Force (OpFor)' in Modern Warfare basically the Taliban with a non-specific name?

This. I couldn't of worded it any better. Sir I give you my stamp of awesomeness.

(couldn't find a pic.)

 

[oplinger]

...I don't think it's too soon. I was still in school for 9/11 ....Middle school. Get over it already.

I'm just glad I don't have to turn on the radio to hear "Good Riddance" by Green Day anymore.

As for the game, I don't find it at all in poor taste. I don't even find it slightly offensive. I'm all for being the Taliban. Not because I'm some guy who hates america and wants to shoot Americans or something, but in this day and age I think it's important for people to understand both sides, or at least get a glimpse of both.

Also I'd have to say, if Medal of Honor was a movie, no one would care. It would be a "powerful" and "moving" blockbuster for showing both sides.

As long as it wasn't from a major film company and as long as it didn't you know..wallow around in stereotypes.

The way I see it, they exist, we exist. If we want realism, may as well use what exists right? It'd be silly to want to portray a conflict in any way that matters while having the USA up against genericstan. It'd just like every other modern warfare game and wouldn't really send a message. I don't see this as about money, I see it as showing everyone just what it's like over there.

Course I can change my mind after it comes out. We'll see how it all plays out >.>

 

[Kryzantine]

I don't mind the Army banning on-sale site. They decide what's good for their soldiers and what isn't.

Also, they played a pretty big part in advising the direction of the game and making sure that the Taliban can't get information on positioning, tactics, and that stuff. The last thing they want is their soldiers using the tactics shown in this game, because that's an easy way for casualties to go up. They know the Taliban will be playing this game.

 

[Geekosaurus]

Because the Taliban are known for taking a break from waging war on the West so they can chill out playing online shooters on their $300 games consoles.