Videogame manufacturer to stop players assuming role of Taliban
By ANISaturday, October 2, 2010
WASHINGTON - Videogame manufacturer Electronic Arts, bowing to strong criticism from U.S. military officials and veterans organizations, made changes Friday to “Medal of Honor,” the newest installment in its series of American-based war games.
Set in modern-day Afghanistan, “Medal of Honor” had been designed to allow players to take on the role of the Taliban in its multiplayer mode, and to kill American soldiers-a capability that came under withering fire from military officials and U.S. veterans.
The Army and Air Force Exchange Service went so far as to request that American military bases not stock it, Fox news reports.
“Out of respect to those we serve, we will not be stocking this game. We regret any inconvenience this may cause authorized shoppers, but are optimistic that they will understand the sensitivity to the life and death scenarios this product presents as entertainment,” Major General Bruce Casella, the service’s commanding officer, said in an interview.
“We changed the name of the opposing team in the multiplayer mode. Now, the opposing team is called ‘opposing forces,” said Electronic Arts publicist Amanda Taggart.
Videogames that deal with war and combat have elicited disdain from some war veteran organizations, including AMVETS, an organization dedicated to accommodating American soldiers. (ANI)
