EA Responds To Pressure, Removes Taliban From MoH

The Taliban controversy hovering over EA's Medal of Honor will soon disappear. Why? Because the Taliban have disappeared. Well...sort of.

According to a statement released today - as noted at Kotaku - EA have responded to the pressure applied by backlash from "friends and families of fallen soldiers," and have removed the Taliban as playable characters in their upcoming modern-war shooter. Well, the Taliban will essentially still be there, but they'll now be labeled as the "opposing force." Remember when some game companies couldn't get licensing for their sports game, so we got fake athlete names...? Something like that.

It didn't help that earlier in September, the commanding general of the Army and Air Force Exchange Services said they would pull MoH from U.S. military bases worldwide due to the "well-documented reports of depictions of Taliban fighters engaging American troops." Now, a statement issued by the game's executive producer, Greg Goodrich, has confirmed the team's decision to drop the Taliban reference. You can read that statement in full through the link above, but here's a snippet:

"This is a very important voice to the Medal of Honor team. This is a voice that has earned the right to be listened to. It is a voice that we care deeply about. Because of this, and because the heartbeat of Medal of Honor has always resided in the reverence for American and Allied soldiers, we have decided to rename the opposing team in Medal of Honor multiplayer from Taliban to Opposing Force."

For the record, Goodrich clarified that this decision will not directly affect the gameplay. His statement above finishes with, "To all who serve - we appreciate you, we thank you, and we do not take you for granted. And to the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines currently serving overseas, stay safe and come home soon." Well, they probably did the right thing, don't you think?

Tags: moh, medal of honor, moh taliban, ea

10/1/2010 10:34:50 AM Ben Dutka

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Comments (89 posts)

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Benzin
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 10:59:17 AM
Reply

Well, ultimately I think they should do what the troops themselves wanted, but I understand the decision that they made and why they made it. I'm just glad they listened to the families instead of Jack Thompson or someone from Fox News.

6 up, 7 down

maxpontiac
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 12:17:25 PM

And there it is. I am glad EA showed some respect, but being how gaming is big business, I have to wonder if the name change wasn't always the plan. MOH got the publicity after all.

4 up, 5 down

Nickjcal
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 4:04:28 PM

they DID listen to that gold star mom from fox news. Karen Meredith i believe. Just watch that video and you will get pissed off. She totally disrespects WW2 vets etc.

3 up, 1 down

Streets_74
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 8:26:40 PM

I just decided not to buy it, thanks for making that choice EA.

3 up, 4 down

coverton341
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 11:03:30 AM
Reply

I don't really care nor did I really care whether they named it the Taliban or not. I have numerous friends that were and are in the military and most of my family has been military and no one has had issue with it. I do understand that families of fallen soldiers might have issue with it though so instead of risking a political sh$% storm the best option was probably to change the name.

6 up, 3 down

Akuma07
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 11:04:13 AM
Reply

No.

Who cares what they are called, its a video game.

21 up, 2 down

Streets_74
Wednesday, October 06, 2010 @ 11:46:44 PM

Thats my point its a video game, no one seems to have a problem with russians, japanese, chinese, or hell americans being killed in thousands of games over the years. So it seems that the lives of these brave soldiers doesn't have any meaning, some thing seems very wrong with this mind set.

0 up, 0 down

laxpro2001
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 11:09:50 AM
Reply

They are a business and if they felt it would hurt sales than they did the "right" thing. However the right thing could have also been keeping the Taliban as the name if that is what the troops wanted who are actually dealing with them firsthand.

4 up, 1 down

jigokunohoono
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 11:18:40 AM
Reply

the whole thing is pointless, it's just a game and only in multi player so its not even a story, you're just nameless americans and middles easterns.

i understand how this could be hurtful to the families but the game will not feature accurate depictions of their kids getting killed so i fell they over reacted
and it's like EA said, someone needs to be a bad guy like when you play cops and robbers and its not gonna make you into a Taliban if you pretend.

i mean there are all kinds of movies about this and no one even bats an eyelash, im really getting sick of all this hate towards video games over things that are fine in other media

13 up, 0 down

coverton341
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 11:22:51 AM

Excellent point. But, don't forget that we play games that let us depict ourselves as Nazis killing Americans, British soldiers, and everything else, and Nazis were arguably worse than the Taliban, but then again it did happen about 70 years ago so there is the time factor.

But, you're spot on about films depicting such things and no one boycotts the films or threatens to pull them off the shelves.

11 up, 0 down

maxpontiac
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 1:55:53 PM

You make some excellent points. People have been playing WW2 game for years now.

But, I think the issue with MOH is the fact that war depicted in the upcoming game is still going on, and there are still plenty of US families being effected by it.

Last edited by maxpontiac on 10/1/2010 1:57:22 PM

6 up, 1 down

carl0975
Tuesday, October 05, 2010 @ 5:51:43 PM

I agree with Coverton for the most part, except I would have a serious problem with anybody who claims that the Taliban are worse than the Nazis. They may try to be just as bad, or worse, but the Nazis were far more effective at genocide then the Taliban are, and of course there's the fact that the Taliban aren't as organized, nor are they as large of a group as the Nazis were. I'm not trying to say the Taliban aren't bad of course, I just think that they still aren't on the same level as the Nazis(But then again, nobody really is in my eyes.)

0 up, 0 down

556pineapple
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 11:20:35 AM
Reply

I don't really get it, because changing their name doesn't change the fact that they're still Taliban. Is this really going to appease those who are causing the fuss? In all the WWII games you could play as Nazis or the Japanese killing American soldiers, yet nobody raised this kind of fuss about it. The excuse that time insulates us from history's events can't really be used, because WWII only ended 65 years ago, and there are many alive still that were part of it and/or effected by it. It just doesn't make sense to me, but whatever.

8 up, 0 down

JPBooch
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 11:27:37 AM

It's too new and too recent. I'm sure if you asked a 70 year old man who has seen a gas chamber and the piles of anerexic bodies piled like leaves in pits you would get a different opinion on wether they wouldn't mind playing as a Nazi in a game.

It's emotional. I read the full response that EA gave and it tugged on my heart strings. They did the right thing. What has made MoH a great franchise (before they threw it in the toilet) was their reverence for the men and women who have actually served.

They did the right thing.

0 up, 0 down

556pineapple
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 11:47:54 AM

I understand what you are saying, and I do believe the soldier's wishes should be respected first and foremost in a case like this. What I'm saying is it's a double-standard of sorts.

The argument is that playing as the Taliban is disrespectful to the victim's of the Taliban. So isn't it true that playing as Nazis is just as disrespectful to their victims? Shouldn't these soldiers be given the same respect no matter what war they fought in, and no matter how long ago it was? They all made sacrifices and fought for our country. They all went through hardships I hope myself never to see, and they all have my deepest respect. So why are they getting a different treatment?

Last edited by 556pineapple on 10/1/2010 11:49:49 AM

5 up, 0 down

Snaaaake
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 11:24:35 AM
Reply

Probably a good move by EA, who knows, maybe they'll do a MW2 by having you playing as a suicide bomber.

0 up, 0 down

frostface
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 11:24:47 AM
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I understand from EA's point of view, why they changed out the name. Personally though, imo it's all a crock of sh*t!

It's ok to shoot at the Japanese, the Germans or Vietnamese but not at the Taliban because that war is happening now? It's a game. And if you ever wanted to really reach home to people about how crappy war is, give them something, a name, they can relate to.

I remember at times during playing World At War, there were moments that I paused the game and realized, although I'm playing a game right now, it's representative of some really bad moments in world history. By calling the Japanese by their real name in that game, it wasn't like just mindlessly killing a nameless enemy.

So should news channels not refer to the Taliban as the Taliban anymore? Are people really that sensitive? Should everyone be wrapped up in cotton wool? Or should they wake up to the fact that the world is far from perfect and in the real world the enemies have names and this is a game merely imitating and portraying real life. Did someone lose an son or daughter in the making of this game? No?
Then put your energies into bringing your son's and daughters home from the real war and stop worrying so much about a video game.

Last edited by frostface on 10/1/2010 11:25:37 AM

10 up, 0 down

JPBooch
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 11:37:44 AM

You are missing the point. Playing as the Taliban in this point in time is disrespectful. We aren't at war with the Japanese, Germans, or the Soviet Union.

Why would you open yourself to sensationalize a group that would like nothing more to watch America burn to the ground and all the people in it die a horrible death? You forget that there are plenty of demented people who would take it to another level and enjoy it. This isn't something that should be de-sensitized. That is exactly what you wind up doing by putting the Taliban name in there as a playable side.

I didn't think it was a big deal either. But, if EA got heart felt letters from people and families who served that thought it was then they are absolutely doing the right thing.

I'm all for free speech, it's what you do with it that matters. If you want to make yourself look insensitive, callous, a butt-head, racist, bigot, or sexist, you have every right to. You will also face the consequences of public opinion as they have the right to free speech too.

2 up, 3 down

Jawknee
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 12:21:01 PM

JBooch, you make great points but political correctness is nothing more then a way to lie about what's going on in order to make a minoirty feel better. Truth should always win out and unfortunantly in this media driven society the whiners always seem to get their way in hiding uncomfortable truths. Soldiers are the ones who should get the last say in this. they obviously didn't have a problem with it as they helped with the game. It's all the media retards who did the complaining and their PC nonsense won I the end...again.

They fight for ours freedoms and this is what they/we get. More media driven political correctness. Nonsense.

10 up, 3 down

frostface
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 12:40:53 PM

I completely understand why EA made their decision and from their point of view, it probably was the right thing to do.

But I don't believe I'm missing the point regarding getting to play as the Taliban. I think people should be able to play both sides of the war.
Not that I expect there to be many (if any) Taliban fighters rushing out to buy MoH, but in the real world people are dying on both sides.

Hypothetically speaking, I would deem it equally offensive to be able to play as the Americans, invading another country and killing their people. I'm not trying to start a political argument regarding my own personal opinions on whats going on over in Afghanistan. I'm not a soldier or related to one who's fighting over there and it would be wrong of me to judge or make guesses at how they perceive their current situation.
However, there are a hell of a lot of people out there that are not pro-America and not supportive of the 'War on Terror' in the Middle East.

But this is a game about a war thats happening right now but it's not ok to name names of all parties involved? If people are gonna be that sensitive, then why make the game at all?
I don't personally agree that it should never of been made, I'm planning on picking it up when it releases. But you can't make a game like this an not expect to offend some demographic of people.

Last edited by frostface on 10/1/2010 12:43:27 PM

2 up, 2 down

Jawknee
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 12:52:03 PM

There were people defending Nazi's too Frostface. Regardless of how one feels about war in general, it's nonsense to think pro Taliban types opinions are just as valid as pro American types. Taliban are scum who rape, stone, murder their own innocent people. Americans do not. They risk blood and treasure trying to stop these monsters while asking for nothing more than a stable government and country in return. One the world can live comfortably with.

This isn't about "understanding the Talibans side of the argument." it's about the truth of whom we are fighting over there.

Last edited by Jawknee on 10/1/2010 12:53:18 PM

4 up, 4 down

jaybiv
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 3:49:56 PM

@jawk. American forces are just as vile as the Taliban. It all depends on your perspective. American troops are raping and killing innocent Afghanis under the guise of war. Not to mention the number of innocent civilians who are killed by our bombs and missiles. America invaded these people's homes. They had nothing to do with 9/11, yet they are being stigmatized and killed for being born in the wrong country.

The crux of this discussion is that too many people play the victim card and want the world to be as they see it, when in fact there are 6.6 billion others we have to share this small, blue marble with. Joining the U.S. military is a voluntary choise last time I checked, so anyone joining should have been cognizant of the dangers of joining this select fraternity. As such, it doesn't give them a monopoly on how others should act, think or feel.

I understand EA's decision to back down. I just don't agree with it. The folks doing the most belly aching about it were never going to buy the game anyway, so why listen to criticism from someone who is not going to add your bottom line?

4 up, 5 down

Jawknee
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 5:38:43 PM

"@jawk. American forces are just as vile as the Taliban."

This kind of foolishness isn't even worth arguing with. Any rational, clearheaded, sane person understands the difference. If you can't see the difference, your nuts.

4 up, 1 down

Fane1024
Saturday, October 02, 2010 @ 6:09:05 PM

I can't believe I'm on the same side as Jawknee. 8o

I don't advocate war, but the Taliban have been abusing their own people for years, whereas the NATO/American soldiers are _mostly_ trying to improve their lives. To argue that the Americans are as bad as the Taliban is absurd.

1 up, 0 down

Hezzron
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 11:25:35 AM
Reply

It's called empathy. I'm glad EA has some.

6 up, 3 down

Alienange
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 12:36:54 PM

Precisely

2 up, 2 down

anjpikapp3
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 11:45:58 AM
Reply

Things like this is what makes me dislike my country. Really folks...I mean there had to be enough bitching from someone for them to make this change. The real question is, who is the hippie fag (probably drives a VW bug or Prius) that complained. Our men and women fought long and hard over seas for our freedom, why not give them what they deserve...a game that kills all those Taliban Effers!!

5 up, 4 down

Jawknee
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 1:14:12 PM

It's not the country as a whole. It's the PC media and the cowards who hide the truth when it's uncomfortable.

4 up, 2 down

Benzin
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 1:51:39 PM

Um, I don't think the hippies had anything to do with this...

Last edited by Benzin on 10/1/2010 1:56:01 PM

7 up, 0 down

anjpikapp3
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 2:14:48 PM

@ Jawknee: Fair Statement.

@ Benzin: That's where your wrong....it always a Hippies fault....always (j/k) :p

0 up, 3 down

Lotusflow3r
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 11:56:19 AM
Reply

Terrible.

2 up, 0 down

BTNwarrior
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 12:07:10 PM
Reply

And now whenever another group is offended with something in a game they can just use this as reference and get the game changed

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 12:13:26 PM
Reply

Oh goodie, political correctness wins again!

/s

5 up, 3 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 12:15:53 PM
Reply

Just to clarify, when I said in the article, "they probably did the right thing," I'm talking strictly from a business perspective.

1 up, 1 down

maxpontiac
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 12:17:59 PM

I think they did the right thing period, but that's just me.

4 up, 4 down

Jawknee
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 12:23:00 PM

I would understand if the soldiers objected to this but it was the toxic media who blew a gasket over it. I understand where EA is coming from but at the same time its like..."dudes, grow a pair."

Last edited by Jawknee on 10/1/2010 12:23:50 PM

6 up, 3 down

maxpontiac
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 1:50:58 PM

Jawknee-

Well, the families of soldiers voiced their concerns, and that's good enough for me, and obviously EA.

I think it's very important to keep their point of view in mind.

Last edited by maxpontiac on 10/1/2010 1:56:39 PM

2 up, 1 down

Benzin
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 2:04:09 PM

Exactly. I think families of fallen soldiers have a little more credibility than the mainstream media, and if that's why EA chose to change it then I respect them for it.

2 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 2:16:59 PM

I agree the families opinions matter a great deal but where do we draw the line between truth and political correctness?

Seems to me truth should always win.

Last edited by Jawknee on 10/1/2010 2:17:47 PM

4 up, 2 down

robinhood2010
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 5:46:10 PM

I would just like to point out here that if they do not like it, don't play the game.

This has always seemed to be the corner stone of a lot of people's beliefs, especially on this site. I have noted before how gamers have complained about a minority complaining about content, to have said content removed.

With every point, you are going to offend someone, so why not stick to realism? These soldiers are not fighting an unnamed force, are they?

3 up, 0 down

SmokeyPSD
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 12:24:16 PM
Reply

ARGH

When are developers going to learn that the only way this medium is going to be taken seriously is when we starting drawing lines in the sand. this is RIDICULOUS. It's not like they've reskinned them to be aliens, for years and years we got shovelled WWII games. For once we're actually getting a meaningful, authentic attempt at a important PRESENT conflict.

So the Army brass have spoken out, so freaking what, Tier 1 themselves were involved in the making of it, lots of army dudes freaking play these games themselves. Hell, some might've even WANTED to go in the military from playing 1st person games as a young kid.

To me, Medal of Honour seems to be the ONLY game in years treating this with the respect it deserves. Funny that it gets this crap.

3 up, 0 down

Alienange
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 12:50:32 PM
Reply

You mean there are people who think EA is wrong to change the name? Let me get this straight now. You were SO eager to play as the Taliban that now you're disappointed in EA for showing a little respect for their troops and their family member?

Read the WHOLE statement and you'll see that they had an overwhelming response to the Taliban in their game. Most of it was positive. So they could have reasoned that there was no need to take out the word Taliban because the majority don't care.

What they did however, was change the name out of respect for the many many who took the time to write EA and explain in a heartfelt way why this causes them pain.

This is a powerful show of respect to those who wrote them. Have WE received the countless letters that EA has received and read? No. We don't have a clue what EA has seen and heard. Out of feeling and respect for their fellow human beings they've made a TINY change in their game.

I say good for EA. They should be applauded.

4 up, 7 down

Jawknee
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 1:12:09 PM

Who was eager to play as the Taliban? I want names. If your going to throw out blanket accusations like that at least have the guts to name names.

Im eager for truth. Nothing more.

6 up, 3 down

anjpikapp3
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 1:23:33 PM

Hahahaha....perfect example of ignorance.

Any-American in their right mind would not want to play as the Taliban however, you should not be restricted just because someone disagrees with it? Its the freedom that our soldiers are fighting for, is it not?

This is the big reason we (the US) are so ignorant to what the rest of the world is doing. When we don't like something, we censor it instead of letting it be. If you don't like something, then you have the freedom to walk away.

5 up, 3 down

jaybiv
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 4:05:54 PM

@Alien. So can parents of children killed by serial killers lobby to change the story for Heavy Rain? Can people who believe in Greek/Roman mythology lobby against the gross misrepresentation of gods in GOW?

MW 1 & 2 allowed us to play against an unamed Middle Eastern group, so what is the big deal? It's just a game. The Taliban is just a name. Not too many Americans could tell you any more about the Taliban besides their name.

America may be the greatest country on the planet, but it has some of the most ignorant and petty principle driven citizens. No lie. A couple of years ago, a study was out that said 70% of Americans thought Canada was a state. Need I say more?

6 up, 0 down

Alienange
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 5:01:35 PM

@ jaybiv - You're asking me if parents and Greeks have the right to lobby against something that disturbs them? Yes they do. Will anyone listen? That's a different question.

@ Jawknee - People who are complaining about this change are just being self righteous. Would this have even crossed anyone's mind if EA hadn't named them the Taliban in the first place? We should all be glad we're even getting the game and that it's not being canceled like the Fallujah game.

1 up, 3 down

Jawknee
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 5:43:24 PM

Its self rightous to demand the truth be told? this is grand coming from you. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

2 up, 2 down

JPBooch
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 1:40:37 PM
Reply

@anjpikapp3, this isn't about our ignorance to foriegn affairs. These people hijacked jumbojets and rammed them into 2 of our biggest buildings and killed thousands of people. This is about us fighting a group that wants us dead.

EA doesn't want people to walk away from their game. More happy people and politically correctness means more people willing to buy and play it. You can save the free speech soap box for the hippie convention.

0 up, 2 down

anjpikapp3
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 2:10:28 PM

@ JPBooch

Yeah, the Taliban did attack us...so did the Japanese. They hit one of our most prized harbors and killed thousands...Also, MILLIONS died by the hands of the Nazi's. Yet, playing as a Nazi (in MoH and CoD) is fully accepted?? If your going to argue that being attacked by the Taliban is the same as a "game" where the Taliban is a focus then you ARE the ignorant one. It's still just a game depicting (the devs) views of what may have happened during that time....nothing more, nothing less.

Also, the name of the "opposing team" does not matter to true gamers...if the content is worth it, we will buy it no matter whos killing who.

6 up, 0 down

Simcoe
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 3:52:36 PM

@ JPBooch
It was actually Al-Qaeda that hijacked those planes, not the Taliban.

2 up, 0 down

Lawless SXE
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 4:25:03 PM

Simcoe is dead right there. The Taliban did no such thing. I'm not defending them, but try getting your facts right before condemning a group.
Peace.

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 5:40:49 PM

Lawless, they harbored al Qaeda while they planned and executed the attacks. Then they wouldn't give them up when we asked. So they are just as responsable as those 19 hijackers.

2 up, 2 down

Lawless SXE
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 6:54:37 PM

Now that may be true, but from what I've gathered, the Pakistan and Afghan Taliban are almost two completely different groups. The first are the ones that seem to be harbouring and aiding Al-Qaeda. The latter seem to be trying to distance themselves from the affair and focus wholly on fighting back the invasion into their country.

I don't want to argue about this. It always leads to trouble, so I'm alright with saying we shall agree to disagree, aye?

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 7:22:41 PM

I don't want to argue with you either. I respect you and like reading your posts. I just wanted to make it understood that there really isn't a difference in Al Qaeda's and the Taliban's ideology. They both have the same goal. the Taliban have just been able to take control of a once free country wreak their havoc on their own people while Al Qaeda's focus is the West. There virtually is no difference between the two besides the people they are going after.

But yes, i will agree to disagree with you. :)

Last edited by Jawknee on 10/1/2010 7:24:03 PM

2 up, 2 down

AcHiLLiA
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 3:00:01 PM
Reply

War is stupid. Good thing we have FPS games to get a taste of what are blessed soldiers have to deal with everyday.

2 up, 0 down

Zorigo
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 4:20:07 PM

it's a shame the absolute rule of do not murder isnt so absolute...
(philosophical mind... makes you say this)

1 up, 1 down

AcHiLLiA
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 10:54:00 PM

yah, so what. I hope ur not thinking what I'm thinking.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 4:11:29 PM
Reply

Eh, whatever they wanna do with their game...

1 up, 1 down

Zorigo
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 4:19:19 PM
Reply

they should get a LOT of commendment for this.
but opposing force? is that the BEST they could come up with?...

1 up, 1 down

Lawless SXE
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 4:43:58 PM
Reply

Cowardice. This is not a moral dilemma. It's a videogame and so not real. As such, why deprive people of the ability to 'participate' in the war on terror and 'aid' in the freeing of Afghanistan. Also, I fail to see how this will help them from a business perspective. It may have been banned from sale in certain areas, but anyone who wants it will still be able to get it elsewhere. Also, given that the enemy has been referred to as the Taliban for so long, I imagine that everyone has made up their minds and allowed their prejudices to come to the fore. The omission of a name will hardly be enough to change that.
Peace.

2 up, 0 down

FxTales
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 4:46:27 PM
Reply

Reminds me of Matt Stone and Trey Parker's "Either it's all ok to make fun of, or nothing is." quote (bearing in mind that this particular topic isn't about humour) but it was the first thing that came to mind.

2 up, 0 down

tes37
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 5:02:54 PM
Reply

If it says Taliban above your head, it's all the more fun to put a bullet in your character. I think Socom used terrorist groups that were linked to Al Qaida, but I could be wrong. Abu Sayyaf, I believe was one of them.

No disrespect intended but these people have to move beyond petty issues and work on mending their pain from the loss. Changing a videogame will not bring about any healing.

Last edited by tes37 on 10/1/2010 5:15:14 PM

1 up, 0 down

Shams
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 9:20:12 PM

Petty issues? Over a nonconsequential change in a video game, you are discounting the suffering endured by soldiers and families who have paid the ultimate sacrifice! And you accuse them of being petty? Reality Check!

0 up, 4 down

Shams
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 9:37:25 PM

Wait, my bad, i think i read your post wrong. If by "petty issues" you're talking about the game's content, then i agree.

I just think if we were truly concerned with the loss and sacrifice that soldiers and soldiers' families first and foremost, we would ignore these petty issues, instead of asking them to do it.

I think in the end, the change in name amounts to nothing. It's not like they removed the multiplayer, thereby preventing people from playing as virtual Taliban killing virtual soldiers. But if this is EA's way of acknowledging the complaints of the soldiers and soldiers' families, then it should be understood as that: an assuaging gesture. Not in the name of censorship, or propaganda, or politics, or even money (unless the complaints numbered in the millions which i'm sure they didn't)..

1 up, 0 down

tes37
Saturday, October 02, 2010 @ 1:16:16 AM

You are correct about the intentions of my words in your second post.

0 up, 0 down

tes37
Saturday, October 02, 2010 @ 1:41:19 AM

As far as sacrifice and loss, I am no stranger to losing family members in war. It just happens to be the Vietnam war. I wasn't speaking as someone who doesn't know what it's like.

1 up, 0 down

Shams
Saturday, October 02, 2010 @ 1:43:59 AM

Apologies. Didn't mean to come out guns blazing. Guess i was kind of on edge by reading some of the other comments.

2 up, 0 down

robinhood2010
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 5:39:46 PM
Reply

I had to sign in to say something here.

I find it highly contradicting, this. It's all well and good playing as an Allied soldier, shooting and killing a Taliban soldier, or Nazi, or whatever opposing force it is. So now you can play as someone who will be killing Allied soldiers. Why, all of a sudden, has this caused so much offence, I ask?

I don't hear many Germans, Russians or Japanese complaining about their people getting shot over and over again in countless FPS games centred on war. As I understand it, war takes two to tango, and I think it is ridiculous to change the name of your opposing force.

Guarantee that if the Taliban were not playable, there would be absolutely no problem with this.

Sure, I am not cold hearted, I can understand there are still people dying in the Middle East, but taking the name out of it does not change a thing. Players will still be gunning down Allied soldiers, just as an unnamed force. Compared to that airport scene, this is nothing.

4 up, 0 down

main_event05
Friday, October 01, 2010 @ 10:21:06 PM
Reply

Politics and Video Games don't mix. Thinking about it reminds me of the "Special" kid (I hate being PC) trying to hammer the square peg in the round hole.

When will Censorship in America end? We got school systems in Texas rewriting history and now this. Almost makes me ashamed to be American.
------------------------------------
While on the subject of PC, does anyone else find the term African American to more offensive than Black? I prefer being Black as opposed to African American.

Last edited by main_event05 on 10/1/2010 10:26:59 PM

4 up, 0 down

Shams
Saturday, October 02, 2010 @ 1:00:04 AM

Yes, but we can both agree that both "Black" and "African American" are less offensive terms than "negro". And that's not just a matter of being politically correct. That's a matter of having respect. Some people have difficulty getting their heads around that.

There was a time not too long ago when even that term was considered acceptable. A vocal minority would speak up against that. And they were ignored. But they continued to fight to be called what they chose to be identified as, rather than being called by terms what others chose to call them.

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tes37
Saturday, October 02, 2010 @ 2:17:28 AM

Notice that the American Indian is the only nationality that is called American first. It is my belief that no matter where you come from, if you live here you should consider yourself first and foremost as American.

That's the way I see all black people, as American, no longer African who live in America. Nothing is wrong with someone's heritage.

2 up, 0 down

Simcoe
Saturday, October 02, 2010 @ 8:17:37 AM

I think that you'll find many Aboriginals will find the term American Indian to be offensive and would likely prefer First Nation, Aboriginal or Native American, in which case American still comes second.

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Shams
Saturday, October 02, 2010 @ 9:48:12 AM

Interesting observation, Tes37. Can't say I've ever made that one. I suppose it's a way of distinguishing an American Indian from an Asian Indian, or an Indian American (Asian Indian born in America). I've always preferred to refer to them as Native Americans only because "Indian" is a misnomer based on the mistake of Columbus thinking he had reached India (talk about a comedy of errors), if i'm not mistaken.

3 up, 0 down

tes37
Saturday, October 02, 2010 @ 9:51:50 AM

My grandmother who was Cherokee Indian never spoke of any such offense to being referred to as an American Indian.

In fact Aboriginal sounds more offensive.

Since I was a child, American Indian was used as well as Native American to describe the indigenous people of North America.

Last edited by tes37 on 10/2/2010 10:01:25 AM

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Simcoe
Saturday, October 02, 2010 @ 1:29:06 PM

Interesting, perhaps it's a regional thing, because First Nation peoples in Canada find the whole "Indian" labelling derogatory (the rationale being Indians are from India) and it's not PC here. Also, you wouldn't call an Inuit an Eskimo here either. "Aboriginal" is a widely used and perfectly acceptable term that includes the three main indigenous groups here in Canada: First Nations, Métis and Inuit.

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main_event05
Saturday, October 02, 2010 @ 10:15:30 PM

All great points. It's just that the need to put African in front of American just makes it seem so... you know. Plus, it's just a waste of syllables.

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StangMan80
Saturday, October 02, 2010 @ 2:01:58 AM
Reply

Who cares what they are called It's a video game!
I am going to get this game and enjoy it, and I have all the respect in the world for the people who are fighting for our freedom.
I just don't understand why this all started any how. There were always bad guys in games that we could play as. any way, this game is going to do good and if you are not picking up this game because of it then you should not be a gamer.

GT5 countdown: 30 days no way YES!

3 up, 0 down

Phoenix
Saturday, October 02, 2010 @ 3:34:23 AM
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" O no, there are pixels fighting for the taliban, killing the american pixels!!!"

* name gets changed *

"O, good, now it's just some guy wearing a turban killing the americans... "

Any1 else see the problem here, It's just a game, and it's just a name, Taliban or not, americans are still being gunned down, so really, does a simply name change REALLY make the families of the fallen feel better? cause it shouldnt...

EA, way to cave to such a silly thing.

3 up, 0 down

___________
Saturday, October 02, 2010 @ 3:54:32 AM
Reply

:(
this is exactly why the media does this, because they know if they bi*** and cry long and loud enough they will get their way.
there like a kid in the toy store after their mother does not buy them a toy, they bi*** and scream till their face goes red!
i wish EA had the balls to stand up too them and say were making the game you dont like it?
tough sh*t!

honestly whats the point?
military bases have already banned the sale of this game so its not like this is really going to help the sales.
may appease 1 or 2 people, but how much you want to bet the people who were bi***ing in the first place never intended to buy the game in the first place!?

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Remei Aoki
Saturday, October 02, 2010 @ 9:27:22 AM
Reply

I think that the word "insurgency" may have been a better descriptor, and be less of an issue due to the fact that it doesn't directly name the Taliban itself.

However, at the risk of seeming insensitive, I don't honestly believe that we're doing the right thing by trying to alter the name of the antagonists.

MoH chooses to place it's setting inside the pretenses of the current escalations inside the wars on terror, this includes the Taliban, Iraq and Afghanistan. In fact, its the whole reason why we're there. Imagine if designers took the same approach with MoH2, a WW2 game without Nazis, kind-of hard isn't it? Even those older games also allowed you to play as the 'opposing force' in multiplayer, regardless of who they were, nazi, japanese, russian or what have you, why should this be any different?

At the same time, the families of those who were injured or who've died have also suffered and continue to suffer the most throughout our time in the middle-east. I cannot say that I wouldn't have had to consider the change as well, and would have done the same as EA.

Defacto Censorship comes in many forms, but sometimes sensitivity is the biggest barrier we have with our freedom of speech. Here it hit us where the wound is still tender and we, as an industry, flinched.

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WickedScarecrow
Saturday, October 02, 2010 @ 7:15:59 PM
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Then take the 'Nazis' and Vietcong out of games. I hate how games call WWII German soldiers 'Nazis', they are not Nazis. Is every American solder a Republican cuz our government is a republic? No! They are just German soldiers fighting cuz their government told them to. So we fought Germans in a couple wars, the Koreans, Vietnamese, Soviets, English, blah blah blah. And now they want to cry about the Taliban? America needs to grow up, grow a pair, stop bitching, and realize that its just a game and its not the only one that Americans get killed by the enemy.
And besides, if it was my family killed in Iraor Afganistan, I would like to have him be immortalized in a game as a hero. Otherwise, he is just 6 feet under and dead, what good is that? GROW UP AMERICA, you bunch of emotionally weak morons.

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WickedScarecrow
Saturday, October 02, 2010 @ 7:17:04 PM
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And EA is a bunch of pussies. They dont even have support worth a crap.

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S8N_666
Sunday, October 03, 2010 @ 1:54:56 AM
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while you are at it pull Russia and Japan from other games online like Bad Company its no different and rediculous, over a stupid game.

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cr67
Sunday, October 03, 2010 @ 4:27:40 PM
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Some of the comments on this topic make me sick! It's all about having respect for our troops. Don't you get that?? Then some of you stated you're not going to buy the game because of this, that's just childish imo. The reason we can play as Nazis and others is because those wars happened decades ago and you're not really offending anyone. The war in Afganistan is still going on and so of course some of our service men & women are going to be offended. They put their lives on the line everyday for YOU! Perhaps some of you should show a little respect and stop thinking only of yourselves for just a minute! I can gaurantee if you spent just 5 minutes in Afganistan being shot at by the REAL Taliban you'd change your @#!$ tune! Than you might just be thankful for our brave men and women out there defending OUR freedoms so you can sit in your comfy house playing your video games.
I think EA made the right decision out of respect for our soldiers and it makes me respect EA all the more. Show a little respect yourselves!

Last edited by cr67 on 10/3/2010 4:29:16 PM

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SmokeyPSD
Sunday, October 03, 2010 @ 8:20:01 PM

Comment, fail. Any war is terrible but it should be able to be freely expressed in any form. Be it film and game. So WWII happened ages ago, so it's a freeforall on that time is it? Ok, go make a exploitation flick on the holocaust then, see how Israel and Jewish communities react.

They didn't do anything, they changed a name, that's cowardice not respectful.

4 up, 0 down

S8N_666
Sunday, October 03, 2010 @ 4:54:06 PM
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^ Its a game, lighten up pillhead

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S8N_666
Sunday, October 03, 2010 @ 5:01:44 PM
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What about the poor Afghanistan Kids who have to play as the Americans, oh thats right, One Sided. I forgot. Americans are the only thing that Matter. Lets see what Country we can Destroy today. If I made enough money Id leave this Shithole, Fuck America.

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Robochic
Monday, October 04, 2010 @ 2:35:59 AM
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Whatever they feel like doing in the end it's still the same game thats all I care about.

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snypa_69
Monday, October 04, 2010 @ 4:09:27 AM
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All you Americans make me laugh.
There are British troops fighting in this war too.
Do you think they give a s£$t about playing as the taliban?? You lot are such pu$$ies!!haha.
If anything the British troops should be lobbying to ban hardcore modes. Should we start talking about friendly fire? lol.

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EA Responds To Pressure, Removes Taliban From MoH

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