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Amid Controversy, EA Pulls Taliban From Medal of Honor Multiplayer
Last month we discussed news that upcoming shooter Medal of Honor would allow players to take the role of Taliban forces in multiplayer games, causing no small amount of consternation among political groups and military supporters. Now, Electronic Arts and developer Danger Close have bowed to pressure and announced that the Taliban side would simply be referred to as "opposing force." Quoting executive producer Greg Goodrich:
"The majority of this feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. For this, the Medal of Honor team is deeply appreciative. However, we have also received feedback from friends and families of fallen soldiers who have expressed concern over the inclusion of the Taliban in the multiplayer portion of our game. 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. ... While this change should not directly affect gamers, as it does not fundamentally alter the gameplay, we are making this change for the men and women serving in the military and for the families of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice — this franchise will never willfully disrespect, intentionally or otherwise, your memory and service."
Where are the families of the dead Taliban soldiers
They're in Afghanistan, probably not playing video games.
Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
I think he meant exactly what he wrote, and I agree with him.
While there are those (possibly yourself) who would probably play a game called "Escape from the World Trade Center" it would be in extremely bad taste for a company to make a game like this because of it being in poor taste.
I'd wager a bet that you don't have any loved ones in harm's way right now.
Corporate responsibility...there's nothing wrong with it and I'm glad to see EA showing good sense here.
If it bothers you that they removed the name "Taliban" from the game menu, then go buy some white out and write it on your own TV screen.
Just my $0.02.
-JJS
To the far left, the answer is an overwhelming "YES" to all your questions.
And when you have a loved one in the field, coming under fire almost every day, you will have earned the right to make this comment.
Until then, STFU.
"This is a voice that has earned the right to be listened to."
The military earns this right by its members being killed or maimed to protect their country, while the academic left earns this right by publishing papers cloaked in double-talk, rousing their students to protest some issue that they've helped to blow out of proportion, and yelling at anyone who dares to disagree with their views, their opportunity for tenure, or their parking space privileges.