Outrage over Medal of Honor's Taliban inclusion

Email
Print

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 11:44p.m.

A scene from the game

A scene from the game

It's a highly anticipated videogame because it's hailed as being very realistic.

But for one woman that realism crosses a line when players can kill American soldiers.

Medal of Honor has the blood and gore you would expect, but what's upset Fox News anchor Karen Meredith is how the game lets players take on the role of the Taliban in contemporary Afghanistan, with the object of killing American troops.

For Meredith that scenario is all too familiar - she lost her son Lt Ken Ballard in real combat in Iraq in 2004.

"My son did not get to 'start over' and see if he had a different outcome when he was killed, and neither did all of the people in Fallujah. I don't see how people can think this is okay. I'm so disappointed at (publisher) Electronic Arts."

EA did not respond to emails about the game, but in published statements the company compared this to 'cops and robbers' games.

"Medal of Honor is a multiplayer game and someone has to be the Taliban," the statement said.

Some gamers say they are uncomfortable with the idea of playing a war game while the actual war is still happening.

"One side says we do have the freedom to play this game, the other side says we do have that freedom, but we also have to take into account who are we going to affect with this game," says Mufaro Zakers.

But for some, the game is highly anticipated. Veteran soldiers participated in its creation, and it is said to be very authentic.

Meredith says she's hearing from those gamers now who are afraid the game could be pulled.

"I've been getting so much hate mail from gamers who think that I should back off – 'Who cares about your son? It's just a game.'

"But for us, war is not a game."

Medal of Honor is due to hit store shelves in October.

3 News / CBS

Become a fan of 3 News on Facebook and on Twitter.

Post a Comment

Before commenting, please take the time to read our moderation guide


(Won't be published)



Comments

22 Sep 2010 05:34p.m.

Cotton wrote:

Holy shit... That Jim guy just shut down everyone...ever. Pretty good points. @Jim Stay safe man. Hopefully, you can come back to the States soon. <=)

21 Sep 2010 12:41p.m.

Jim wrote:

Im in the military. I've served in Iraq and Afghanistan for numerous deployments. I play these games. I am not offended by the game, if anything, I think previous Medal of Honor games have done a good job historically portraying military uniforms, weapons and tactics, and I am excited for the new one. Previous Medal of Honor games included vintage WWII videos as well as rare facts about what soldiers endured during that war. If anything it teaches a little history to young adults playing the game, and this new game will portray our current war, and hopefully open some eyes. I can understand why she is upset, but when people play these games, they dont say, "Oh good I can shoot the Taliban, or I can shoot Americans", they just want to have a little fun playing a game. I dont thing gamers think you can hit "reset" in real combat. If someone thinks that a video game is the same as combat, it's due to ignorance and immaturity. Its sad that her son was killed. I understand that. I have had numerous friends killed during this war, but I am not celebrating it while playing these games, and I dont think other gamers are either. On that note, show a little respect for a grieving mother. She's not a gamer, she doesnt know why people play these games, but she does know she wont see her son again, and she wants to do everything she can to protect his honor, even if its a little misdirected. And for those that think the military is a bunch of murderers, enjoy sitting in on your couch in front of your flat screen gaming, or driving your SUV down to McDonalds for a Number 2 Super Sized. Luckily no one is flying a plane into your house, or using Sarin gas on your town. (See Halabja, i.e. Kurd Genocide). A side note for those Europeans in this lobby: next time a tyrant commits genocide on your continent, instead of calling the US for help, maybe you should work it out for yourself. (see WWI, WWII, The Cold War, Yugoslavia, etc.)

29 Aug 2010 05:34a.m.

Harry wrote:

What so its okay to play an American troop killing Talibans but its not okay to play a Taliban shooting Americans!? A bit ridiculous I think

28 Aug 2010 03:33p.m.

TJ (The Mexican) wrote:

LMAO! Medal of Honor isn't hurting anyone.It is showing the view of either side.Just cause someone is outraged cause they lost their son, shouldn't cancel a game. Sons and fathers and husbands lost their life in war, WASNT forced into joining. They Chose to go at their own will. PS. YOUR not the only one whose lost family on the front lines!

28 Aug 2010 07:24a.m.

willbo wrote:

Karen Meredith, you act like the Taliban as you attack others rights and freedoms that your son died trying to pertect. Just like the taliban you try and impose your Beliefs on other people dispite the laws that save us from such persecution. I bet you've never played a video game and are wondering into a subject you know nothing about. If I play the taliban Im not enjoying thinking about your sons death... just looking for a bit of yeehaa as always playing the all powerfull USA gets old.

27 Aug 2010 12:11p.m.

Owen wrote:

She had to be an american . How many games do americans play where they kill members from other country's . The western world is corrupt and im european . She bred the child who wanted to kill for a profession and ended up dead because of it ! She could have better educated her child into a better job !

25 Aug 2010 03:57a.m.

Seth Brundle wrote:

Whether it's the army or "terrorists", they both have guns and they both commit murder in the name of their cause. Never forget that people from both sides have families, ideals, a desire for justice, freedom, and peace. War is a twisted concept, period.

25 Aug 2010 01:59a.m.

Tali wrote:

Read my lips: the woman is going after publicity only !

25 Aug 2010 12:10a.m.

Dan wrote:

Medal of honor made games about Nazis as well and my great grandfather was in WWII and i wasn't upset when i was playing as a Nazi killing Americans, if this game is going to cause you harm miss lady then don't purchase it and don't watch videos about it. This is a Technological advancement in the gaming community, and medal of honor has made improvement since the Allied assault game since that was my favorite for 8 years now. I'm pretty sure no one is attacking the troops with these games considering most of those troops like playing Battlefield, Call of Duty, and now Medal of Honor. They put lots of time and budget to design these games and people are just too damn touchy, and they don't really know what this country is doing in other countries murdering innocent people, " world order ", troops dieing for no reason out there. Lady just let it go!!

24 Aug 2010 05:15p.m.

R wrote:

It's just a game... I'm sorry for all the people that has lost someone to active service, but that doesn't mean you have to ban a game about it.Besides there are already 100's of games like this, and none of them got banned.People want this game because of the realism, so please don't ruin it for us.