Blackwater Game Hopes To Avoid Controversy

[samsonguy920]

Can someone explain to me why this group is so villainized, hated, and looked down upon? Since when is providing security a major sin?

Basically, they are held unaccountable for anything they do outside of the US, thanks to contract agreements they have with the US. This is quite possibly the most blatant example of a corporation acting above the law that exists today. They could shoot you or your family down anywhere in the world outside of the US and get away with it scot-free. If you want a less grim example, they could also seize your property with the same caveats to location.
But if you feel comfortable with that, that's your business.

If you do want a more visual example, watch the show Jericho [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0805663/]. The contractor mercenaries of Ravenwood featured in both seasons are based strongly on the acts of the private firms that acted in Iraq and Afghanistan.
When people know there are no consequences to their actions, they are free to act as they wish upon their fellow man. It is never a good thing and something that should have opened people's eyes sooner to how terrible the wars are.
This is a game that shouldn't be made, but as it is going to be I sincerely hope it fails in sales. Awareness of the truth about Blackwater will make that more likely.

 

[briankoontz]

Anyone with a shred of decency will boycott the game as well as the company.

 

[MisterDyslexo]

In case people don't know reasons why they're hated, here's 17 reasons why:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rXPrfnU3G0

Sorry I can't embed it.

But yeah, a bad group. I read a book on it. It was very liberally biased, but there's not much of a justification for the company's existence anymore. In fact, they're basically beginning to operate and hire in the UAE, as well as work for their government. Because, you know, they're mercenaries. They go to the highest bidder.

 

[sleeky01]

In case people don't know reasons why they're hated, here's 17 reasons why:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rXPrfnU3G0

Sorry I can't embed it.

But yeah, a bad group. I read a book on it. It was very liberally biased, but there's not much of a justification for the company's existence anymore. In fact, they're basically beginning to operate and hire in the UAE, as well as work for their government. Because, you know, they're mercenaries. They go to the highest bidder.

Blackwater has done enough bad things on their own. There is no need to place things the regular military did at their feet as well.

 

[ph0b0s123]

I say don't even give them the oxygen of outrage. The games media, and us should just never mention it. No reviews, nothing. Just pretend it does not exist. That to me is the best solution.

 

[Mariahsyn]

What I think is hilarious are all the self-righteous types commenting about how terrible and evil PMCs / Mercs are when they are probably the same hypocritical types who get off playing GTA and mowing down civilians with a car or shooting them for kicks to get a high enough number of stars so they can escape from the police.

Don't huff and gasp pumpkin, we all know that you have indulged your darker impulses in a video game even if you deny it. Now do I think that the game will be silly because its a kinect game? ha! yes. (Please cue Bender clip!)

But would I play a WELL MADE and thought out FPS where I played as part of a PMC? Sure why not?

It's the same difference as any other FPS. (And don't give me that "Oh but we are playing members of the Insert Country Here military and that makes it alright!" game because I don't buy it.)

Admit it, if you got offered a six figure salary to go hunt terrorists in exotic locations (and had the requisite skills)you would be doing a LOT better than working at fast food or a security job paying $9 an hour.

Maybe I am just playing Devil's Advocate here. (Ignore my retainer from the Prince of Darkness for a minute)

But maybe some people should get off their high horses when they talk about the morality of a video game when they themselves indulge in dubious in game behavior. After all, how many times did these people get away with saying "well its only a game!"

That's exactly the point. It's only a game. (and a particularly poor sounding one at that I say let them waste their money to develop it!)

 

[Notsomuch]

Finally, a game that won't prosecute you for shooting Civilians.

 

[Zhukov]

Finally a game where killing random civilians and getting away with it will make sense!

 

[Kelethor]

MGS4 is happening

this

OT: this will unlikely not be much help. the market is already flooded with shooters, many of which have a rabid fanbase. even with heavy criticisms from well...everybody, they'll have to compete with COD 3 and such and such.

 

[gphjr14]

Funny how seeing what a real mercenary is like makes people angry.

Game looks like it'll suck anyways.

 

[Blind Sight]

Can someone explain to me why this group is so villainized, hated, and looked down upon? Since when is providing security a major sin?

The answers you've gotten so far are fairly vague, so I'll add some more and also suggest that you read the book 'Blackwater' which is quite good.

Anyway, Blackwater is largely hated due to their actions in foreign countries, but they only really came to light after their involvement in the Iraq War. There's reports of them firing openly into crowds of civilians and such. Also their main training base is actually a doom fortress in the middle of a swamp, doesn't really help your image.

Blackwater is also primarily a Christian organization from what I've been able to gather, Mr. Prince and his family are fundamentalists who have some...interesting views on Middle Eastern geopolitics.

EDIT: Never mind, someone else did a pretty good job, hadn't read it yet.

In case people don't know reasons why they're hated, here's 17 reasons why:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rXPrfnU3G0

That wasn't Blackwater, that was a U.S. military Apache.

 

[Brynar]

Blackwater changed their name to "Xe" pretty recently. Blackwater (Or Xe, since it's as far as i know only an atempt at rebranding) are a bunch of shady guys. The ones I am most sceptical about are not the grunts, since there are so many from such varying backgrounds that you can't call them all assholes. (although a lot of them are) I am more concerned about the "top-men", Prince especially, since they are the ones calling the shots. PMCs in general, i have a differing oppinion about. People seem to have a problem with the whole "guns-for-hire" aspect. It's not as if mercenaries don't have standards.

 

[JochemDude]

If it's good why not.
People seem pretty pissed about them here, I don't see much difference in the military and PMC's, the military just has a better system of covering controversy up.

 

[Druyn]

Yeah, I really don't see how this will turn out well. Even if the game is great, and as innocent as a military shooter can be, people are going to jump right on top of this.