U.S. Army Maintains Medal of Honor Ban

[Andy Chalk]

U.S. Army Maintains Medal of Honor Ban

Despite the last-minute decision by EA to drop the Taliban from the multiplayer portion of the game, the U.S. Army says it still won't allow Medal of Honor [http://www.amazon.com/Medal-Honor-Limited-Xbox-360/dp/B000TI836G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1286377275&sr=8-1] to be sold in on-base stores.

The Army was quick to move once word got out that gamers could play as the Taliban in Medal of Honor, the Taliban was gone [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/103219-U-S-Military-Bans-Medal-of-Honor-From-On-Base-Stores], replaced by the generic, presumably-less-offensive "opposing force."

Amid all the counter-uproar that maneuver caused came word that the military might reconsider the ban [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/104005-U-S-Army-May-Reverse-Medal-of-Honor-Ban]. EA didn't come right out and ask but it did take the time to "clarify some facts" about the game, while the Army said it "has been, and continues to be, engaged in a thorough review to fully understand the extent of the modifications."

But it appears to be a case of too little, too late, as the Army confirmed that the restriction will stay in place. "Out of respect to those touched by the ongoing, real-life events presented as a game, Exchanges will not be carrying this product," said Army and Air Force Exchange Service Commander Maj. Gen. Bruce Casella. "While we regret any inconvenience this may cause, our position is consistent with the direction stated a month ago. I expect the military families who are authorized to shop the Exchange are aware, and understanding, of the decision not to carry this particular offering."

The final verdict may be disappointing for EA but it's hardly surprising. The name is gone but nothing else was touched, so while it may be an affront to those who believe that it's time for videogames to be treated with the same respect as film, television and books, from a practical perspective it really doesn't mean much at all. I don't like the idea of pretending that the enemy in Medal of Honor is anything other than what it really is, but it's nice in a way to see that the Army's position is informed by more than just cheap marketing.

Source: Air Force Times [http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/10/military_medalofhonorsale_100510w/]


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[Javex]

Man, this kind of censorship stuff really grinds my gears. I can sort of see where both sides are coming from, but I don't think that MoH is getting a fair treatment when compared to other mainstream titles, let alone other entertainment mediums.

 

[ANImaniac89]

so many lulz right now.
The what EA gets for copping out.
wonder if the Taliban will be restored in the game now.
that would shut Jack up.

 

[ImprovizoR]

I would put Talibans back because we all know EA doesn't care about families of soldiers. They care about the sales. And gamers don't like censorship and I think we will all agree that we are stubborn. Talibans should be restored to their righteous place since US army is apparently snorting acid

 

[LawlessSquirrel]

I actually agree with you here. I liked the whole Taliban inclusion, and was annoyed by the name change despite it not having an affect on gameplay (makes it worse, in my opinion). But even though I'm sceptical of the Army's motivations, it's nice to see that they aren't taking the shallow 'it's a different name so it's fine now' route.

 

[Jared]

I wonder if they let CoD be sold...

...still think its odd, they will just get it from an entirely different source then..

 

[Pist0l 07]

I'm glad for the army, their sticking through with what they said they were going to do. If they think the game was too offensive then they shouldn't change their mind because the Taliban are suddenly called a different name. At least they stood for what they thought to be the right thing rather then giving in like EA did when EA changed it. Sorry EA, but you do deserve it.

 

[The Cheezy One]

ummmm... why? although i guess that if they still find it offensive, they should stick to their guns

 

[Zhukov]

Y'know, I'm glad to hear this.

Can't have EA getting rewarded for their utter lack of balls.

 

[Vault boy Eddie]

If theres anyone in the world that can't take the salty language in the game, it's the US servicemen, good for them that they are sheltered from this evil war game, but you know, still have to go to real war and whatnot...

 

[RUINER ACTUAL]

I think it was a stupid point to bring up in the first place, months after it was public knowledge. I'm sure all of us who played the beta didn't think twice about the name of the team, right? Wheather it's CoD4, MW2, or MoH, the way I see it, I'm just killing those towel headed mother fuckers that hate us, and many of my friends online see it the same way, and many of them are in the military.

 

[RUINER ACTUAL]

I would put Talibans back because we all know EA doesn't care about families of soldiers.

You seem to be misinformed.

http://www.medalofhonor.com/multiplayer

Danger Close and DICE (Not EA) used actual Special Operators to make this game. If you read stuff about the development of the game, it was going to be completley different, but the Operators said "you aren't doing that," and Danger Close (then EALA) changed the entrie premise of the game. If the developers, and thereby EA, didn't care about soldier's families, this game would not have seen the light of day.

 

[bew11]

Its really anoying that the soldiers at those bases are fighting for our rights, which include freedom of speech, and expression, and yet the same government that allows those freedoms is banning the game from their on base stores.

 

[Electrogecko]

On one hand, the name change shouldn't be enough to change anybody's opinion on the game, but on the other hand, the faction in the game is now as much the Taliban as the group in MW2 or several other shooting games which are not banned on military bases.
This only demonstrates most peoples extreme ignorance when it comes to videogames.

 

[DTWolfwood]

Buy it online troopers.

 

[leeloodallasmultipass]

Its okay world, lets all hide from the true reality of war we are waging overseas by banning and censoring it!

 

[darthzew]

I understand the Army's position here and I definitely respect that they're standing by their decision. And the Army isn't saying that soldiers can't have the game, from what I understand, but just that you can't buy it on base.

 

[samsonguy920]

I understand the Army's position here and I definitely respect that they're standing by their decision. And the Army isn't saying that soldiers can't have the game, from what I understand, but just that you can't buy it on base.

Exactly. And I highly doubt this is the entire Army's position on this. Or even the majority's.