Question of the Day, August 20, 2010

[The Escapist Staff]

Question of the Day, August 20, 2010



In the upcoming game Medal of Honor, you will get the option to play as members of the Taliban. There's been plenty of media outcry over the subject, but what do you think of war games covering current, ongoing wars in general? Do they desensitize war, or are the naysayers being overly-sensitive?


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[Jack and Calumon]

To be fair, World War 2 Games had the army which was ruled by apparently the most evil man in all of creation. Yep, the Nazis. Did we alter them or change their names? Only in Germany.

Calumon: It's a game. Why are people so angry about this?

 

[UnravThreads]

I see no problem with it. If films, books and TV series are allowed to be made based on current conflicts, then there's no logical reason why videogames shouldn't be either, assuming they remain tasteful and accurate.

This, this, this and this. Medal of Honor, which sparked this question, has always seemed like a very tasteful and respectful portrayal of war.

If you don't agree with it, don't play it. People don't agree with child abuse (for the most part), but books which are dramatisations of it sell. Bit of an extreme example, sure, but I couldn't think of anything else.

 

[Cabisco]

I decided not to vote, because It can be both.

Some media (this question is nothing exclusive to games) use current events just to sell, or make a horrible message disregarding parts of current wars (good things and bad) to make a statement which doesn't really fit.

However, in just as many cases they can make a valid point on the current conflict, and how it effects the world and the people involved.

Really, as long as they remember to keep the respect for those still fighting (though just as importantly don't make them more than they are) I have no problem with it. But sometimes, it's just exploiting something to make a bit more profit.

 

[crotalidian]

I think it depends on the game. Modern Warfare (the first one) may as well have been based on a current conflict and portrayed war as something that the soldiers go into willingly but that can be dark, oppressing and sad.

If the subject matter is dealt with tastefully and the game is pitched in the right tone then I have no issue with it, if you characature or mock the conflict or those involved then it should never get past the design doc.

I think something to remember about playing as the enemy is that as far as they are concerned what they are doing is right and just and this must come accross in the presentation. think of 'All Quiet on the Western Front'or 'The Eagle Has Landed' for seeing things from the other side.

 

[iLikeHippos]

I wouldn't mind. The Talibans are assholes, true. But in a game, they are just another pixel with generic clothing to their comrades.

Hell, I've shot A LOT of Japs in these games, and let American soldiers to their early graves in these games.

No media outcry there, no...

 

[Birthe]

Well I dunno I often just feel kinda weird when it's about current conflicts... but well sometimes it's the same with older conflicts, 'cause sometimes it just gets away from how it is and that sometimes in a way that just feels a bit uncomfortable.
On the other hand it's also a thing that well why not put in current conflicts, 'cause well it's annoying if you have to fight russians and germans all the time (and from time to time japanese).
But generally I'm not such a big fan of war games anyway.

 

[Cynical skeptic]

Yea, that "commentary" option is kinda pointless.

Its crass exploitation, but who cares? Its not like it was intended as anything else and its not like its anything beyond a video game.

 

[imnot]

as lon gas its nothing stupid, like forcing you to fly a plane int the twin towers its just a game, otherwise its a bit risky.

 

[Srdjan]

Well better that then virtual conflicts in Tarnistan and other stupid fictional places.

 

[Jared]

If anything it makes it more in tune with the times. I dont mind at all, as long as its fun, and you can have a good time. Who care?

 

[Avayu]

I decided not to vote, because It can be both.

Some media (this question is nothing exclusive to games) use current events just to sell, or make a horrible message disregarding parts of current wars (good things and bad) to make a statement which doesn't really fit.

However, in just as many cases they can make a valid point on the current conflict, and how it effects the world and the people involved.

Really, as long as they remember to keep the respect for those still fighting (though just as importantly don't make them more than they are) I have no problem with it. But sometimes, it's just exploiting something to make a bit more profit.

Basically, this. I also didn't vote, because I think none of the options really is able to cover all war games. Responsible commentary can be made in a game, but at the moment I couldn't think of one using current conflicts. Most of the time, games like Medal of Honour simply use those conflicts to have an enemy we all know but who isn't as often used as the more common ones. That controversy arises around those things can just be a plus for the people selling the games.

 

[DSK-]

Doesn't bother me at all. It's a game for christ sake.

 

[silver wolf009]

Who cares? its only a game. Its very unlikely that the developer is trying to get an urgent message to the public, although thats entirely possible, it often isnt the case.

 

[CloggedDonkey]

It can be tasteless, but I haven't seen one yet that was. It's jsut a game anyway, if you don't like it, don't buy it.

 

[tlozoot]

Anyone who says "It's just a game" is validating the often portrayed opinion that videogames are just things that children and socially stunted adults dick around with in their spare time.

Why does it matter? It's only moving pictures on a screen!
Why does it matter? It's only words on a page!
Why does it matter? It's only a game!

If it's tastefully done, then that's fine. If movies, books and television can do it, why the hell can't videogames do it?

 

[Glamorgan]

I can actually see how people have a problem with this, but it is only a game in the end, and as long as they don't have anything too controversial, it should be fine.

 

[Antari]

They complain about medal of honor because they know about it. Armed Assault 2's latest expansion add's a country called Takistan. We didn't hear an uproar about that one.

Its a video game, like a book, if you don't like it. Put it down and walk away!