Would You Play As...

[Erana]

Yes, because as an (American) German, I understand the soldiers where just soldiers. I've always tried avoiding killing them as much as I can, unlike, say, Nazi scientists. I've always thought that if I went back in time to WWII, I would work as a medic for German troops and do what I could to sabotauge the Nazi machine. A game like that would be intresting.

That would be pretty damn neat.

Still, after seeing Letters from Iwo Jima, I could see playing a German soldier would be an interesting excersize in exploring the subject of WW2, because with them, we are skeptical of their goodness and the justness of war in general, rather than simply going, "We're the good guys because we're fighting Nazis."

I think it has been long enough for us to understand that for all the enthusiastic Nazis, there were tons of people forced into being a part of the Party as a matter of survival.
It would make the grit and realism easier to impart on the audience, I imagine.

 

[Lazy Kitty]

Yes, I would.
It might be interesting to invade Poland for once instead of stormibg the beaches of Normandy AGAIN!

 

[ediblemitten]

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!

That wasn't a real attempt at the language I hope? lol

 

[Chasing-The-Light]

I'd play it simply for the idea of seeing things from the other side. Besides, it'd be a nice change of pace. However, good luck convincing other Americans of that sort of idea. xD

 

[Kae]

I'd say it's ok it WWII happened long enough to not be considered insensitive as long as the material is treated with respect I think it could work, but I think it would also be controversial

 

[enzilewulf]

As long as he isn't a part of the SS then I say go for it. I think it would the first of its kind.

 

[Nouw]

Of course I'd play as the Germans. It's no different from playing as the Americans or British.

 

[Mr. Eff_v1legacy]

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!

That wasn't a real attempt at the language I hope? lol

No, sir...it's a joke that's far too funny to be heard by human ears!

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

I would play it just for the fact that it's different.

Not because you get to invade France and never have to storm Normandy for the fiftieth fucking time, that's just a bonus.

 

[Blackpapa]

Yes, I would.
It might be interesting to invade Poland for once instead of stormibg the beaches of Normandy AGAIN!

And that's where the problem is.

Nobody likes playing villains. In most war games your side is portrayed as morally superior than the other side. Modern games like Modern Waffle try to subvert this. Indeed your side does a lot of nasty stuff too, but in the end the US are still the good guys.

What happens when you've got the role of playing the bad guy? No Russian happens. Sure, folks like Breivik probably were disappointed that there was no body counter in the corner of the screen. Most people didn't respond as positively to that.

A game has to sell well so to prevent the player from feeling like an asshole the game ultimately has to present the player's faction and/or the player in a positive light. In the case of ze Germans attacking Poland it's hard to present them in a positive light unless you take liberties with the truth.

Unless you're fine playing a game that quite openly calls you a monster and makes you feel bad.

 

[Stall]

There's no reason it wouldn't work. There would be absolutely NO problems with the regards of taste either. Not ALL Nazis were evil people. There were many people, even some in the higher ranks, who wanted to bring Hitler to justice for his crimes and stop him... just look at the 20 July plot. I could see a very interesting game surrounding a commander in the Nazi army, as he struggles and weighs his morality and sense of right against the crimes he knows the regime he works under condones. Does he go along with and continue to obey the orders he knows is immoral, or does he choose to risk his life and the life of his family to do what is right? It could make a good character study, and even incapulate some interesting aspects or morality, if done well.

 

[kalt_13]

Provided it was well made I would play a game like that.

 

[Phlakes]

I'd love that. Kids have grown up on "ALL NAZIS ARE EVIL HEARTLESS MONSTERS AND DESERVE TO DIE". Which is, in essence, pure ignorance. Empathizing with a squad of Nazi comrades would be a very interesting experience, because hey, they're people too.

 

[Mr. Eff_v1legacy]

Yes, I would.
It might be interesting to invade Poland for once instead of stormibg the beaches of Normandy AGAIN!

And that's where the problem is.

Nobody likes playing villains. In most war games your side is portrayed as morally superior than the other side. Modern games like Modern Waffle try to subvert this. Indeed your side does a lot of nasty stuff too, but in the end the US are still the good guys.

What happens when you've got the role of playing the bad guy? No Russian happens. Sure, folks like Breivik probably were disappointed that there was no body counter in the corner of the screen. Most people didn't respond as positively to that.

A game has to sell well so to prevent the player from feeling like an asshole the game ultimately has to present the player's faction and/or the player in a positive light. In the case of ze Germans attacking Poland it's hard to present them in a positive light unless you take liberties with the truth.

Unless you're fine playing a game that quite openly calls you a monster and makes you feel bad.

You bring up an interesting point. I think a game of this type could address that - your officers telling you you're doing the right thing, glory for country and all that. But the protagonist could struggle with it. Question himself and his officers as he's forced to do things he doesn't think are right.
I'm reminded of the airport scenario in Modern Warfare 2. The player was going against the American and British protagonists as they gunned down countless civilians. But it was a good narrative device (though for different reasons than this) and it contributed heavily to the story.

 

[Sir Boss]

Yes! a thousand times yes! show the other side of the conflict for once! I'm so very tired of all of this "US Fucking A" bravado. Give us a chance to see it as Hans or Franz fighting through the downfall of Nazi Germany, seeing their cities and homes crushed under the tracks of a Sherman.

After all, Germans are people too, not some generic evil. (not that I'm condoning what the Nazis did)

 

[Harlief]

Yeah I would, provided that the character was well written.

 

[Blackpapa]

I'd love that. Kids have grown up on "ALL NAZIS ARE EVIL HEARTLESS MONSTERS AND DESERVE TO DIE". Which is, in essence, pure ignorance. Empathizing with a squad of Nazi comrades would be a very interesting experience, because hey, they're people too.

That has been explored in various movies. I watched Inglorious Basterds recently and it took that approach.

In games you're expected to play an active role however. That's different.

Not that I'm against new, creative and provoking games. I still have an old, old developmental version of Treblinka Tycoon (working title) somewhere on my disk. Not that I plan on finishing it.

 

[Dominic Burchnall]

That sounds like a good concept, seeing it from a different viewpoint. Instead of the harsh struggles towards an ultimate victory and relief at being able to return home, it would be inital levity and easy victories pushing back to despair and retreats as the Allies pushed towards Berlin. It does sound a good concept, and I'd buy the game if it came out.

As much as anything, it'd be nice to start a level with the weapons you'd otherwise have to loot

 

[SoranMBane]

I would if it wasn't about a hundred WWII games too late. The setting is so overdone now that it would be difficult for a concept that interesting to really stand out, and that's assuming that it's pulled off in a manner that is at all skillful, intelligent, or tasteful. I'd probably just look at the game and be intrigued by the idea behind it, but be too skeptical to actually try it.

 

[eggy32]

Yeah, I'd play it. It'd be interesting to see WW2 from the other perspective. It'd be especially good if the story was mainly focused on the characters and their emotional struggles with the war and such.
I think it would be interesting to play a game where you know your side is going to lose no matter what you do.