EA Statement: Taliban now Opposing Force

[ODG6Actual]

Now that you're aware of the change EA announced (http://www.offdutygamers.com/2010/10/medal-of-honor-statement-enemy-now-opposing-force/) this morning. I was interested to see what you think of the change and if you feel it addressed the concerns of some of those in the military?

[MM11C]

Well, personally I think EA should have left it the way it was. I bet you a dollar to a donut that the AAFES five jump chump won't change his mind about selling the game on base because of it.

My opinion, your mileage may vary.

[EODTech]

I appreciate the thought behind the change but I agree...it shouldn't have gotten to the point where the change was necessary. I've lost friends to the Taliban too--one of my very good friends, just last month--and I didn't have a problem with being able to play as Taliban. People need to get a grip.

[Mike_R_Hammer]

I am pleased to see that EA is dutifully taking into consideration the opinions and requests of families, and I'm happy they can respect their requests as well. But I agree with EODTech, it shouldn't have gotten to a point where it was such a big issue.

Yes, it's controversial (I suppose); but if any of you can recall, so was Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's Airport level. Maybe I'm an asshole for saying it, but if you don't like the multiplayer then don't play the multiplayer.

[ODG6Actual]

I am pleased to see that EA is dutifully taking into consideration the opinions and requests of families, and I'm happy they can respect their requests as well. But I agree with EODTech, it shouldn't have gotten to a point where it was such a big issue.

Yes, it's controversial (I suppose); but if any of you can recall, so was Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's Airport level. Maybe I'm an asshole for saying it, but if you don't like the multiplayer then don't play the multiplayer.

You're not an asshole for saying it. I went through that Call of Duty level and didnt shoot the civi's and was bothered that it was a playable level but it is what it is and I didnt demand they take it out and appreciated that they let you skip it if you chose.

Its all about choice. I dont think taking the WORD out of the game makes any difference whatsoever but if it makes those that serve/served or lost over there feel better then it is a small tweak and doesnt gut the gameplay.

[iMaDHaTTa]

You're not an asshole for saying it. I went through that Call of Duty level and didnt shoot the civi's and was bothered that it was a playable level but it is what it is and I didnt demand they take it out and appreciated that they let you skip it if you chose.

Its all about choice. I dont think taking the WORD out of the game makes any difference whatsoever but if it makes those that serve/served or lost over there feel better then it is a small tweak and doesnt gut the gameplay.
it wasnt a bother for me, but i can understand someone that was affected by 9/11 would take offense to going online and ending up on the Taliban team, that would sux. would they really want to celebrate a victory as a member of Taliban? lol not so much. It was going to bother me thou :-/

follow me on twitter : @imadhatta

[Checkmate11B]

I say that regardless of how you feel, you have to respect the MoH team for not wanting to do anything that could make active duty service members, veterans, or their families uncomfortable.

[ekokinex]

I didn't have a problem playing as the taliban and feel the whole situation was blown out of the water (thanks fox news). I am happy the name is all that changed but I feel its a step backward in gaming. Its only a name (even if it has a large impact). Movies can depict modern wars, why not video games to the fullest? We still have single player, which hopefully will remain unaffected.

[ekokinex]

Good on EA for being respectful.

[.Heavy]

Well, I have already been round the maypole more than once on this subject.

I think EA make good choice. It will not be the first or last game that we play as one side or another as Enemies.

From what I understand MOH is now the largest pre-order volume ever in the 11 year history of EA.

I think EA will want to donate to the Vets as they have done with previous games as well.

I won't do Taliban, but I will do OpFor as best as I can. Just like Americas Army version 2.8 something. I still remember pipeline and interdiction even today.

[nation15]

I get the reason behind the change, but does this really suffice? Is that what it's come to?

Is it really this easy to change the hearts and minds of people now?

Does it look, shoot, sound, and act the same? Yes. Is it called the Taliban anymore? No. They only changed the name and that makes a difference? You have to be kidding me.

That would be like me comitting murder (this is an extreme example) and saying "Oh I didn't murder him, I subdued his life." Then all of the sudden everyone says Oh, okay and goes about their business like it never happened.

I understand the point that people were trying to make by not wanting this in here, I was was on the other side of the page and wasn't bothered by it as I see it as an entertainment medium and understand they wanted a realistic setting with realistic forces. However I think this move upsets me more than them including Taliban ever did. How much gull does it take to say look I renamed the shit to feces, all better now. It's still the same stinking pile you don't want around you it was ten minutes ago.

[DevilDogJ]

I am torn on EA's decision. I feel they should have stuck to their guns and just said hay this is how we are telling our story. But I really appreciate the fact that they listen to military and families and are making their decision based on their feedback and not the media (I hope). In the end it doesent change game play and if the name change prevents upsetting vets and family members, then i don't see a problem. Just looking forward to good gameplay and a great game.

[.Heavy]

Hm. I say I would like to know who applied the necessary pressure onto the right people to make the change.

Was it the potential loss of PX (Showing my age here) sales on bases because of that one General who basically banned the game?

Or was it the Media that leaned on EA?

Or something else?

Or maybe we are entering an age of Gaming where Developers feel the need to build a product deliberately offending or creating controversial to get the sales numbers in. No one talks about "Let's Ride" for kids (Ugh.) but they had a fit over the Coffee Mod a few years ago that apparently was built into a car game.

Heck I even remember Flight simulator vanishing from all shelves the week 9-11 occurred. Because the towers are in the game itself. And in the previous years the game issued as well.

Many of you have shown that you take a strong position for whatever reason for one or the other or in between and it is good.

The rest of Society does not have the Integrity, Morals or Discipline/Experience that you Military Gamers have had both in Gaming and in real life. Therefore Society will chase the wind after every little thing good or bad.

Yes they made the name change. But we know, I know, you know and they know it's REALLY the Taliban. But to gamers who walk into the store unaware of the controversy (Fat chance but maybe there is a very small percentage that have not gotten the word. will buy the product.

As far as the General who nixed the item, there has to be any number of games in the PX that the Platoon can gather around and compete with the same intensity, desire to victory and stomp faces with the same drive, zeal and skill for the fun of it either outside or in the game machine (Or even networked machines)

I call the Game Developers not to make a product to build controversy and thus sales. I say they need to make a good game as best as they can so that we will enjoy a good patch free product without too much issues.

A long time ago we used to play stalking games in the dark. Cowboys and Hombres or Cops and Robbers. Very physical and good play as long as both sides do well. Someone has to take the role of the bad guy.

I am getting to the point where I have now seen just about everything there is up to this point prior to getting a copy and I fear that if I continue to discuss it, I will be beating a dead or dying horse.

[Checkmate11B]

nation: I get the sentiment behind your feeling, but what I think is key is that these people haven't raised concerns about say, Modern Warfare 2, that features battles in maps called 'Afghan' and 'Karachi', but with teams labelled OpFor. I say if it removes any type of negative feeling from the families, more power to them.

What I DO NOT get behind is AAFES 'banning' MoH on PXs. I also don't appreciate people like Jack Thompson muddying the waters with phony issues. That's the kind of pressure that EA SHOULD NOT have caved to. But, in the end, I don't believe it was that outcry that made them change. I still believe it was the service members/families that did that.

Why? Because it was specifically cited as the reason in Greg's response, and he's earned a certain level of trust and respect from me.

[Combatvet]

This is BS, plain and simple bowing to what is perceived as political correctness. PC will be the death of the U.S.

[.Heavy]

This is BS, plain and simple bowing to what is perceived as political correctness. PC will be the death of the U.S.

You would be surprised how many people hate PC. We live in a area where there is no need for PC. Not like the Northeastern States.

I have gone into conflict with Company Suits in the past because they babble big words while I use very little words with profanity and they look at me as if a bird had dropped a doo doo on their jacket or something.

It is my opinion that PC people dont live in total reality but it is strictly my opinion.

[Dirites]

I get the reason behind the change, but does this really suffice? Is that what it's come to?

Is it really this easy to change the hearts and minds of people now?

Does it look, shoot, sound, and act the same? Yes. Is it called the Taliban anymore? No. They only changed the name and that makes a difference? You have to be kidding me.

That would be like me comitting murder (this is an extreme example) and saying "Oh I didn't murder him, I subdued his life." Then all of the sudden everyone says Oh, okay and goes about their business like it never happened.

I understand the point that people were trying to make by not wanting this in here, I was was on the other side of the page and wasn't bothered by it as I see it as an entertainment medium and understand they wanted a realistic setting with realistic forces. However I think this move upsets me more than them including Taliban ever did. How much gull does it take to say look I renamed the shit to feces, all better now. It's still the same stinking pile you don't want around you it was ten minutes ago.

You read my mind, its exactly how I was thinking about it. And its a part of history that is still being written, so why hide it? Maybe people that haven't heard much about it or don't want to face reality now will do.

I've would have done it different, and left a message/video in the intro and ending credits to pay respect to the fallen soldiers and their families. This doesn't mean i don't understand why it has been changed....

[SETTLEMONSTER]

You would be surprised how many people hate PC. We live in a area where there is no need for PC. Not like the Northeastern States.

I have gone into conflict with Company Suits in the past because they babble big words while I use very little words with profanity and they look at me as if a bird had dropped a doo doo on their jacket or something.

It is my opinion that PC people dont live in total reality but it is strictly my opinion.

Very true Heavy... Political Correctness is actually classified as a form of social control. And, I don't like being controlled with such manipulation. It is the same way that evil women work. Just goes to show that politics are run by evil women LMFAO!

MONSTER

[Texsun7]

no offense to any body else... but its a game so it doesnt bother me.