EA sort of removes Taliban from Medal of Honor

[Queasy]

Medal of Honor has caused a stir because it allows gamers to take on the role of Taliban and kill U.S. soldiers during the multiplayer portion of the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 game. Gamers playing as America's enemies is nothing new but the fact that this is a war that is currently still being fought was a sore point for some. In response to the pressure, EA has announced that they've changed how the enemy force is presented in the game.

Writing on the Medal of Honor blog, Executive Producer Greg Goodrich says that after speaking with the family and friends of fallen soldiers "who have expressed concern over the inclusion of the Taliban in the multiplayer portion of our game" that they've decided to "rename the opposing team in Medal of Honor multiplayer from Taliban to Opposing Force."

Obviously a name change does not affect how the game is played, the setting, or the action that happens on screen. Goodrich says, "[W]e 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.

"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."
Medal of Honor is due out on October 12.

Source: Medal of Honor Blog

 

[Beev]

No, they changed it so they can sell it on military bases.

Pardon my cynicism regarding EA...

 

[Queasy]

No, they changed it so they can sell it on military bases.

Pardon my cynicism regarding EA...

That why I said "sort of" in the title. Changing the name from "Taliban" to "Opposing Force" doesn't change the Afghanistan setting or anything else.

It reminds me of Atlanta politicians changing the names of streets that are synonymous with prostitution and drug dealing without actually solving those problems.

 

[arredondo]

South Central Los Angeles' name was changed to South Los Angeles. When the large street "Compton Blvd." actually leaves the city of Compton, it's name is changed to "Somerset Blvd." in the neighboring city.

 

[herkulease]

they shoudl just named them rebel forces or insurgent forces.

Opposing force sounds stupid.

 

[American Gunner]

they shoudl just named them rebel forces or insurgent forces.

Opposing force sounds stupid.

That is what Opfor stands for from COD.

 

[Kev]

Uh oh... was there a Tali...ban?

 

[Dumac]

This whole controversy is just as silly as the solution.

 

[Bman123]

This is friggin stupid, nice B move EA

 

[Pia]

Milk minor controversy for publicity, then thumb your nose at your gaming audience along with the very people you claim to "respect" in order to appease a hysteric non-gamer minority in a bullshit PR move.

Way to go EA. I'm glad they have never gotten anything from me, other than maybe two bucks in a Steam sale and another in conjunction with a hardware-game bundle.

 

[J]

Regardless the game is still going to flop.

 

[Murloc]

oh well in cod6 when you play as the OpFor in the afghan map it's really the same thing.
They changed the name and that's all they had to do.

 

[Bateluer]

Regardless the game is still going to flop.

Define flop. It'll probably sell a few million copies pretty easily. The target demographic isn't the sharpest bunch of tools in the shed.

 

[Mike Gayner]

The only thing more hilarious than the typical American PC bullshit that triggered this change is the responses from people in this thread.

 

[crisium]

Uh oh... was there a Tali...ban?

Heh.

I guess Opposing Force also makes more sense because some fighters in Afghanistan are not Taliban but religious fanatics taking advantage of the opportunity.

 

[RavenSEAL]

EA is talking big and i got a $20 coupon...hmmmm....ironically, reviews aren't popping out and the game comes out in 2 weeks.