Monday, August 30, 2010

Video game content debated, Medal of Honor

The game series “Medal of Honor” has been in need of a reboot after a successful run. However, the newest game within the series has ignited some fiery debate. Previous entries within the video gaming series took place in World War II. The newest version is set in the present war in Afghanistan. This video game is just a little different. As opposed to other games, not only are players in multi-player mode playing as US or UK forces, they can also be the Taliban in “Medal of Honor 2010.” Individuals are calling for a ban, such as the Minister of Defense for the UK.

Video game selling opposed to through Fox

Liam Fox, the Defense Secretary (“defense” gets a “c” in British English) for the United Kingdom, has called for the game to be banned. He is opposed to the sale of the video game through retailers, according to The Guardian, and doesn’t think any person should purchase it. The fact that players can be within the Taliban in multiplayer mode is the root of the controversy, and would be shooting, virtually, at US and UK troops. There are others who oppose the game. It would seem sacrilegious to shoot at American or British troops, even in an online gaming pretend reality. Considering games in other series for instance the “Call of Duty” series, took place in Afghanistan and Iraq, it was only a matter of time before this scenario arose.

Electronic Arts responds

The game is by Electronic Arts, and this version of “Medal of Honor” is the first not to take place in World War II. EA’s PR Representative, in AOL News, said the game play is no different than how children play. Police are opposed to through criminals, cowboys must contend with Indians and their own weak offenses in the post season, and within the video game, “someone’s gotta be the Taliban.” Opponents also observe that Word War II is removed from modern history by a long time, and thus games in which individuals could be Nazis in multiplayer are less harmful as a result.

Debate markets games

There are two universal outcomes to any controversial video game. First, some people get offended and raise a fantastic ruckus. Second, the game sells lots of units, if anyone can recall “Grand Theft Auto” or the first “Mortal Kombat,” for example. It was inevitable that a video game of this sort had this exact feature. Steven Spielberg actually helped to create the first “Medal of Honor.” That first video game had some multiplayer characters which were interesting also. William Shakespeare and a German Shepherd were un-lockable characters, as was a Velociraptor from “Jurassic Park”. Remember, this is the game where you can kill Nazis as a dinosaur, so maybe you shouldn’t take it too seriously.

Find more details on this subject

AOL News

aolnews.com/nation/article/new-video-game-will-let-you-play-as-the-taliban/19588413

Guardian

guardian.co.uk/technology/gamesblog/2010/aug/23/liam-fox-medal-of-honor-ban



No comments: