Black Ops Military Advisor Defends Medal Of Honor
When the controversy first hit a few weeks ago, we reminded everyone that EA had tapped the U.S. Military to assist in making Medal of Honor, and if those who served and risked their lives aren't offended, than we really don't care what the political windbags say.
Thankfully, one of the military members who had a hand in helping with Call of Duty: Black Ops has stepped forward and illustrated that very point: according to GamerZines, military advisor Hank Keirsey dismissed all the controversy surrounding EA's shooter, saying he's sure the game has been done respectfully, and it will indeed honor the lives of those who served in the war on terror. Said Keirsey:
"To me, if the game (Medal of Honor) is done respectfully - as I'm sure it's going to be done because I know the guys over there doing it - I think it'll honour those who served in the campaign just like it did WWII. 'Oh, but they're playing Taliban in multiplayer'," he added. "Well, you played a Nazi in multiplayer - nobody got offended by that!"
Again, exactly our point. Time is really the culprit here; had all those WWII games came out in the late '40s, we would've had a very similar outcry from parents and politicians. Of course, with over 50 years between then and when the WWII shooters started to flood the games market, nobody did seem to care, did they? Nobody made a peep. But the war on terror is just too fresh for some people. In fact, Britain's defense secretary Liam Fox has asked for Medal of Honor to be banned, saying he was "disgusted and angry" with EA's "tasteless product." EA's simple reply to those who know little about games?
"...many popular video games allow players to assume the identity of enemies, including Nazis and terrorists."
This isn't difficult. We at PSXE maintain our stance on Medal of Honor; we'd ask the servicemen who volunteered to help with the game, and even others who didn't, if they had a problem with the content. If they did, we'd have a problem, too. If they didn't - and they don't seem to - than we're good to go. They are the ones who matter in this scenario...nobody else.
Related Game(s): Medal of Honor
Tags: medal of honor, moh, ea, medal of honor controversy
8/26/2010 10:21:56 AM Ben Dutka
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Comments (65 posts)
Shams
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 1:12:25 PM
"As long as your doing something for the right reasons..."
I think that's the question. When the reason is "just entertainment", rather than education or training, such as with a VR sim, than really, is it right?
To me, it's no surprise that a military guy, who's most likely on the activision payroll, is going to promote games about war. And it's no suprise to me, that those recruiting centers at the malls, will market themselves to young adults with video games.
And to me, it's no suprise, that there would be some vet coming back from war, traumatized, and readjusting, and disgusted not at just the insensitivity of the people and the culture at large, but unwillingness to even understand that war is indeed hell, and that they've gone through hell.
So I agree with Ben, that the soldiers (and the victims of war) are the only ones that matter. And I consider it asinine, that someone who is not one of these should go on to tell them, "no,they don't".
Shams
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 1:23:03 PM
LimitedVertigo
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 7:03:30 PM
Shams
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 11:15:01 PM
I fully agree (though I know the real reason why you brought that up).
However, if a church, or a synagogue, or a temple, or an atheist center, or a post office for that matter was made at that same location, there wouldn't be a public outcry, would there? Why? Because not everybody blames religion for what happened on that grievous day (even though there are some who do "there will always be a select few who have to find something to complain about").
In the same way, anyone who knows even the basic tenants of Islam ("To murder even one innocent HUMAN is as to kill all of mankind, and to save even one innocent HUMAN is to save all of mankind"), knows that what took place on that grievous calamity of a day was EVERYTHING against Islam, and those who orchestrated the plot, and those who were involved in that plot, and those who knew about it and allowed it to happen, are the greatest enemies to Islam and all of mankind.
Yet, since 9/11 Muslims in America, and everywhere, are blamed for what happened. Hate crimes are on the increase, but worse than that is the quiet, unspoken grudge and hazing that has become widespread, and has polarized and separated the people even more, posing as an obstacle from them getting to know each other.
So some self-identified Muslims have taken it upon themselves to stand in the public spotlight...so that they may present themselves openly for meeting about certain topics that most have been silent about.
I understand their need, though I don't agree with their method. See, if people do horrific things in the supposed name of Islam, then the media will focus on that, and the people will blame Muslims in general. But if Muslims speak out, and say this has nothing to do with our faith, and in fact, is everything against our faith, the media will not focus on that, and the people will ignore it. So this is the desperate attempt by some to stand out in the spotlight of the media, that has been ignoring them for so long. Though, I believe that method will not help them, in the same way that I have made myself open to YOU, but you have chosen instead to ignore that invitation and nurse a grudge.
LimitedVertigo
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 11:22:16 PM
You didn't need to reply with an entire page worth of rambling. You and I both agree on the issue and that should be good enough.
I simply brought it up as an example of the topic being discussed in regards to showing some level headed empathy and kindness.
Religion is the reason 9/11 happened, PERIOD.
Okay, lets get back to gaming.
Last edited by LimitedVertigo on 8/26/2010 11:24:03 PM
Shams
Friday, August 27, 2010 @ 12:23:09 AM
LV, just about every comment you make is an attempt to point out the hypocrisy of others, or to belittle them. Yet, hypocrisy is the one thing you never escape from.
But, yeah, I agree, let's keep it game-related, and friendly if you can manage.
LimitedVertigo
Friday, August 27, 2010 @ 12:40:37 AM
Me stating that 9/11 was a result of religion is just stating an obvious known FACT. If you choose to attempt to ramble towards some resolution that stares away from the real issues than so be it. Notice that I'm not attacking any particular faith.
Shams
Friday, August 27, 2010 @ 1:43:00 AM
Underdog15
Friday, August 27, 2010 @ 9:03:00 AM
Religion itself is not to blame, but religious extremists who use religion as an excuse. Those in power have used religion as an excuse throughout all history. Now we see people using the Muslim faith to push propaganda, but I betcha most Muslims are very much against what they do. Similarly, those in power in the middle ages used Christianity as an excuse for war, but I guarantee most Christians were against that too!
LimitedVertigo
Friday, August 27, 2010 @ 2:08:00 PM
I take it the Crusades were on the part of "extremists" and the Armenian Genocide as well?
Shams,
I suggest you read some Richard Dawkins, it may help with your false sense of faith and denial to the atrocities committed around the world in the name of a god.
Last edited by LimitedVertigo on 8/27/2010 2:09:50 PM
Shams
Saturday, August 28, 2010 @ 1:31:54 AM
LimitedVertigo
Saturday, August 28, 2010 @ 6:21:06 AM
The fact that you believe in a grown up Santa Claus and expect people to take you serious is appalling.
Shams
Saturday, August 28, 2010 @ 3:17:43 PM
And Richard Dawkins is no scientist. I can't even call him an intellectual. Watch him get stumped on a simple question asking him to explain the increase in genetic information according to natural selection/evolution. Watch him get wrecked by Jewish New Yorker-turned-Wahabi-extremist.
Shams
Saturday, August 28, 2010 @ 3:54:00 PM
But, we will indeed see who was right soon enough. We will both eventually die, and either you are right, in which case we return to nothing, and so we will be in the same boat. Or you are not right, and we will see who was decieved: me by my "Santa Claus" or you by your Richard Dawkins.
Shams
Saturday, August 28, 2010 @ 4:07:13 PM
Underdog15
Saturday, August 28, 2010 @ 9:50:46 PM
Heck, the whole reason Christianity got so much attention was the fact that it was the first extremely popular religion to preach on the importance of love. I'm pretty sure the muslim faith at it's core teaches about easing the suffering of others.
So yes. It is NOT the religions, but the ones manipulating it's core... called extremists... like the crusades...
Highlander
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 10:43:39 AM
Reply
Underdog15
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 3:20:34 PM
I do feel that an accurate representation is necessary. A glorification of war would be bad. What I mean, is if it's solely about the spectacle, that's bad. But if it accurately shows you the psychological battles the soldiers face, it's good. I want a current war game like this to make me happy about when the fighting stops.
Take a movie/tv show like Band of Brothers. It certainly did not glorify the war. It was entertaining, and cool at times, sure! But it did and excellent job at accurately portraying events in a way that resonates with it's viewers. If MoH can do something similar by immersing us into it's story, then it has been a huge success.
Shams
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 3:35:40 PM
booze925
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 4:38:23 PM
totozero18
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 5:56:48 PM
StangMan80
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 11:02:11 AM
Reply
Shams
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 3:02:44 PM
Underdog15
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 3:21:29 PM
ro kurorai
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 11:04:01 AM
Reply
BikerSaint
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 9:50:12 PM
Hezzron
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 11:30:21 AM
Reply
Nazis aren't causing chaos anymore. The Taliban are. I feel for those who have lost loved ones at their hand. I would like to think that playing as the organization that has killed your friend or family member would be out of the question for most.
A fiction terrorist organization would have been less realistic, but perhaps a little more sensitive to people's feelings.
THEVERDIN
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 8:33:23 PM
spiderboi
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 12:21:05 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 12:58:23 PM
Reply
Shams
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 3:04:32 PM
booze925
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 5:21:06 PM
jaybiv
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 1:49:47 PM
Reply
Underdog15
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 3:24:41 PM
hehehe....
Sorry about that. You do raise a good point. Anytime you try to address real world conflict, you're going to get headbutted by one side or the other. You need controversial media to keep it interesting... sometimes I hate it too, but ya... I consider it a necessary evil.
totozero18
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 6:10:42 PM
Here in SouthAm people tends to be pretty neutral both sides have it's faults, some people sees war on terrorism as a holy war, for some it's just business, if you ask me it's an endless nonsense, and of course the whole thing blows up when one side tries to impose on the other.
@Underdog, it's a REALLY SAD necessary evil.
LimitedVertigo
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 7:01:15 PM
Shams
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 11:21:21 PM
LimitedVertigo
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 11:23:14 PM
LimitedVertigo
Friday, August 27, 2010 @ 12:41:08 AM
Shams
Friday, August 27, 2010 @ 1:12:54 AM
LimitedVertigo
Friday, August 27, 2010 @ 1:31:51 AM
Shams
Friday, August 27, 2010 @ 1:44:46 AM
LimitedVertigo
Friday, August 27, 2010 @ 2:09:06 PM
Shams
Saturday, August 28, 2010 @ 1:45:24 AM
LimitedVertigo
Saturday, August 28, 2010 @ 6:24:21 AM
So I'm wrong about Iran, eh? I'd love for you to prove me wrong but yet again we're in the same position where I point out something and you backtrack with zero evidence in your favor.
I guess in your world there are only a select few that can actually talk about the Moon with any reliable information.
Shams
Saturday, August 28, 2010 @ 3:39:07 PM
Shams
Saturday, August 28, 2010 @ 4:15:52 PM
Underdog15
Saturday, August 28, 2010 @ 9:51:53 PM
totozero18
Sunday, August 29, 2010 @ 2:18:17 PM
dveisalive
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 8:30:15 PM
Reply
BikerSaint
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 9:58:19 PM
Reply
___________
Friday, August 27, 2010 @ 3:53:24 AM
Reply
sure, they were seen as the evil in those days but they did not go killing thousands of innocent people deliberately.
theres a massive difference between the Nazis and the taliban.
i agree with him, if the people who participated in it are ok with it than who cares!?
but, that was just a really bad example to use!
Underdog15
Friday, August 27, 2010 @ 9:08:30 AM
totozero18
Sunday, August 29, 2010 @ 2:20:12 PM
Jawknee
Monday, August 30, 2010 @ 2:26:49 PM
BikerSaint
Saturday, August 28, 2010 @ 2:50:46 AM
Reply
<<<<yes but Nazis did not go around bombing civilians now did they? sure, they were seen as the evil in those days but they did not go killing thousands of innocent people deliberately.>>>>>
WTF?
How about the non-stop V-2 rocket barrage's raining down on the civilian population of London???
How about the Holocaust, where 6 million Jews perished under the nazi's???
I guess they never taught world history classes in your school, Huh?
Underdog15
Saturday, August 28, 2010 @ 9:54:27 PM
tightbore5
Tuesday, August 31, 2010 @ 4:15:20 PM
Reply
http://www.airsplat.com/

Medal of Honor









LimitedVertigo
Reply
Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 10:42:47 AM
You can't please everyone and as long as you're doing something for the right reasons than you shouldn't regret or restrict your product. I'm actually looking forward to this, looks like something fresh.