Electronic Arts has removed references to the Taliban in first-person shooter Medal of Honor.
For months now EA have have not backed down from the decision to use the Taliban in the upcomming release of the game,looks like a change of hart from EA games or just pure presure from complaints which include the us military,which last month banned the upcoming sale of the game from nearly 300 stores located on its bases because it would allow players to shoot U.S. troops as Taliban fighters in Afghanistan, where the war game is set.Critics said the ability to take on the role of the Taliban and kill U.S. and British troops was insensitive to the family of soldiers who had died in Afghanistan.
The controversy came with the multi-player mode, where players go online and form two opposing teams, with one side being of coalition forces and the other side being Taliban insurgents. EA began testing its multi-player option by letting a small percentage of joe public play the game online.
The new name for the insurgents will be the “Opposing Force” or " Op-For".The change affects only the name of the opposing side, leaving the game itself untouched which will be the 14th title in the 11-year-old Medal of Honor series.
Medal of Honor's controversy does not seem to have affected sales. EA on Thursday reported a "record" number of people who have pre-orderd copies of the game compared with other versions of the game, there has been no release of a actual figure..
Here is the quote from the medal of honor blog:
In the past few months, we have received feedback from all over the world regarding the multiplayer portion of Medal of Honor. We've received notes from gamers, active military, and friends and family of servicemen and women currently deployed overseas. 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. Because of this, and because the heartbeat of Medal of Honor has always resided in the reverence for American and Allied soldiers, we have decided to rename the opposing team in Medal of Honor multiplayer from Taliban to Opposing Force.
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.
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.
Greg Goodrich, Executive Producer Medal of Honor
Medal Of Honor is due to be released on October 15.
