The popular video game series “Medal of Honor” has become a target of derision because of the latest installment. Previous entries within the video game series took place in World War II. Though not new to video games as a whole, the new “Medal of Honor” is set in Afghanistan. This video game is a little different. In contrast 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 have been calling for a ban, including the Minister of Defense for the UK.
Video game selling opposed to by Fox
There have been demands the video game to be banned. One of those in great opposition is Fox, the Secretary of Defense (British English spells it with a “c” not an “s”) for the United Kingdom. According to The Guardian, he believes retailers should refuse to carry the game, and individuals should refuse to buy it. The opposition to the game is because of the multiplayer mode. Players can choose to be either US or UK characters, or the Taliban. Others have joined in the protest against shooting at United States or U.K. forces, even if it is only in online gaming. 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.
EA defends the derision
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 that the game play is no different than how children play. Kids do play games like that. Cops face off against robbers, Indians confront cowboys, cowboys must face the truth that their quarterback is lousy, and within the multiplayer mode of “Medal of Honor”, “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 can be Nazis in multiplayer are less harmful as a result.
Not really the initial game to employ shock methods
There are two universal outcomes to any controversial video game. Some individuals get offended, and the video game sells lots of copies – the first “Mortal Kombat” and “Grand Theft Auto III,” for instance. It was inevitable that a video game of this sort had this exact feature. The first “Medal of Honor,” which was partially created by Steven Spielberg, also featured multiplayer characters that were interesting. Players could unlock multiplayer characters such as William Shakespeare or a German Shepherd. They could also play as a Velociraptor from “Jurassic Park”. That’s right. Dinosaurs killing Nazis.
Further reading
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
