Would You Play As...

[Mr. Eff_v1legacy]

A German soldier in World War II?

A friend and I were discussing how first person shooters seem to be the order of the day lately. The World War II shooter was brought up, and we thought it would be interesting to see it from the other side - as a soldier fighting for Nazi Germany.

I think this could be interesting in many ways. It would pretty much work as a standard shooter, but it could tell an interesting story. It could explore a man's choice between loyalty to politics/personal beliefs and country/family, and could maybe even implement some sort of "moral choice" (seeing as those are quite big these days as well).

What are your thoughts, Escapists? Would this be insensitive? Is it a good idea, or has it been done before?

 

[JRCB]

I'd play it. I always like to see things from the "evil" side.

 

[SwimmingRock]

It does sound like an interesting possibility, if for no other reason than to fight different battles or the same battles in a different way, but I can't imagine this getting made and released. Unless it's an indie game, but I get the impression that's not really what you're asking.

Thing is, though, WW2 was so overdone that nobody wants to make those games anymore. Gotta be modern and new and profitbale.

 

[AngryMongoose]

Well, it's been done many times in multiplayer modes. Doing it tastefully in a single-player campaign would be difficult.

I wouldn't have a problem PLAYING it, except for finding WW2 shooters fairly dull these days.

 

[SonicKaos]

I've been hoping for a game like this forever now. I'm tired of playing as "the good guys" in every war game. Problem is American people tend not to like to see their military lose at anything, so they probably wouldn't be all for the game.

 

[Trololo Punk]

I'd definitely play that, never been done before for sure.
If they could make it with a really good story, unlike most shooters, it'd be great.

 

[Jordi]

I would play it. I would also play as the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, the Russians, Italians, Austrians, Israeli, Palestines, etc. Everybody needs to get over these taboos. Is it insensitive? Maybe. But in my opinion the solution is that people should learn to be a little less sensitive. If there's a WW2 shooter where you can play as the Nazis and it offends you, just don't play it and STFU about it. Let other people enjoy it.

 

[TehCookie]

No I wouldn't. I wouldn't play as an American or any other country for that matter. WWII shooters are just boring to me, why do we need more? However that idea isn't original, almost everyone on the escapist has thought about that at one time or another and while some of us may not find it insensitive, the media will which is why I'm guessing it hasn't been developed already.

 

[Broady Brio]

I'd play it. Though sadly, some people wouldn't like that idea at all.

 

[Mr. Eff_v1legacy]

It does sound like an interesting possibility, if for no other reason than to fight different battles or the same battles in a different way, but I can't imagine this getting made and released. Unless it's an indie game, but I get the impression that's not really what you're asking.

Thing is, though, WW2 was so overdone that nobody wants to make those games anymore. Gotta be modern and new and profitbale.

I agree. I don't think any big developers would take on a project like this, for fear of scrutiny from people who would call this insensitive and what have you. It's true that the World War II formula has been done to death, but they still sell. World at War sold well, and received positive reviews. A game like this could breathe some new life into the industry as a whole, I think - if it was done properly.
To simply make a game with the roles reversed would not only be samey and pretty boring, but it would also come across as a cheap marketing gimmick. I think the only way to do this would be to develop a character and a story out of it.

 

[Scizophrenic Llama]

I'd check it out, but it'd get all kinds of backlash from the media. I'm sure the brilliant news journalists at FOX would call it some kind of Nazi Gas Chamber simulator, or something close to it.

 

[Limecake]

I think the only way to do this would be to develop a character and a story out of it.

my thoughts exactly, something allong the lines of "All Quiet on the Western Front" would probably work the best:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_quiet_on_the_western_front

if you could make a character we can identify with and have the same character 'progress' through the war as he slowly loses his humanity and is forced to kill all for the sake of a country who couldn't care less about him.

EDIT: by lose his humanity, the game could start you off with your first kill, the game could show how inexperienced you are near the start where you're forced to kill a captive soldier, obviously you wouldn't want to do it but are forced to anyway and near the end of the game you could be right up there with the most evil of nazi's.

the only problem I could see coming from making a game like this is it would require a lot of thought put in to make players feel what they are supposed to feel for the character.

I think it'd be fun, as long as I get a luger I'd be happy.

 

[Blue_Devil13]

Not only would i play it, but I would love for other art forms to explore the bad guys side of the war. There are very few books or movies from a Nazi's point of view. They weren't all evil demon people, some of the were just mean fighting to protect their country, and do as their leader asked. Why can't we explore people like that? And the tough judgment they faced after the war was over?

 

[Mr. Eff_v1legacy]

something allong the lines of "All Quiet on the Western Front" would probably work the best:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_quiet_on_the_western_front

Great book, and I agree entirely. Great ideas! I think something like this could make a solid story.

 

[Zydrate]

Only as a general gunner grunt. I don't want to be the people who raped jews in their mansions to pushed the "Make 100 people suffer for hours" Buttons.

I mean, I'd shoot anyone. But the extra suffering, I'd rather not do. The "Bad side" of Jade Empire disturbed me for a reason.

 

[Scarim Coral]

Probably although it would depend on what you do and the levels in the game. Playing from the defensive side on D Day would be interesting (how long would you hold out?) although playing levels involving hunting Jewish people, torturing and the genocide would be very difficult to play.

 

[Esotera]

Definitely. It'd really help the player emphasise with what's happening on both sides.

A Halo game where you play entirely as The Covenant would also be really interesting; basically whatever broadens your perspective is a good thing. Although playing as a grunt could get slightly depressing after the millionth death.

 

[FalloutJack]

In a contest to design a villain for the Red Panda Adventures, I submitted a German soldier whose great skill was to be incredibly nondescript and highly unnoticeable. I gave him this as a super power, that he was so unremarkable that you could lose track of him, even amidst a deadly battle.

Jah, I would play as ze Germans.

Wenn ist das Nunstück git und Slotermeyer? Ja! Beiherhund das Oder die Flipperwaldt gersput!