Okay before I get into my argument, let me state that I’m probably very progressively minded compared to the average gamer, and it’s not like I have a brewing hatred for the diversity and inclusion portrayed in this game. I just think Dice is going about this wrong. I also think a lot of there customization options are based off of a micro-transaction, money grabbing intention. But still, hear me out because I also have a problem with the direction these games have been addressing History and WWII.
Dice with Battlefield V and CoD with COD WWII have decided to whitewash or censor a lot of history with these games. And I know the Swastika is banned in some countries so it would be hard to put in multiplayer, but I really think if Dice wanted to make a respectful and honestly amazing portrayal of WWII, I think that the war stories/ campaign should really focus on the rise of and the flaws of that ideology. Honestly, is there not a more constructive way to hint at a political agenda than pointing out the horrors of , the hypocrisy of segregation amongst US and allied soldiers, the subjugation of women, and honestly the shear atrocities of countries on foreign Civilians (like japan → China, Russians ↔ Germans, Americans → US japanese citizens, and → all of Europe).
I think if the campaign was a little more heavy handed and showed the realism of the time, then I wouldnt mind really seeing any diversity in Multiplayer (because I think all gamers should be able to make their soldiers look like themselves, but please get rid of the fortnite-like customization and make it more authentic).
Idk, does anybody else share my opinion in wanting dice to treat the War Stories as a cultural history lesson. I think theyll go for some pretty entertaining “untold” but somehow fictional stories from WWII (as advertised), but I think theyre missing an opportunity here to make up for the lack of seriousness in the multiplayer with a gripping, and darker collection of War Stories.
I guess it’s premature to say they aren’t going to do that, but since even the name of the leader of the german reich is starred out on this forum, that’s probably a good bet that players aren’t going to be rescuing (and certainly not persecuting) jews from/in concentration camps in the single player. I guess we won’t know until we see it, but … I’d frankly be amazed if that happened. In this day and age you can’t touch a “sensitive” topic like that without everyone becoming outraged. History as a means of documenting an objective truth is dead, now truth is all relative to how people feel about it, what their own personal “truth” (subjective) is.
Its honestly sad how true this is, like portraying a concentration camp, while being respectful about it, shouldnt spark outrage, in fact, The OPPOSITE is true. I find it distrubing how censorship is starting to basically erase history, like in some cases, censorship is good, like the removal of the swastika from all of german culture, because it represents a hateful part of their past, and porraying it anywhere outside of museums would be to celebrate it in a way or normalize it. BUT, in a game, that claims to recount WWII in any fashion has the obligation to tell it in truth. Because that isnt offensive. Making just a fun shooter while skimmimg over the darkest parts of the humanity of the war is insulting to the people who fought and died in the war, and frankly, its insulting to the players too. Robbing us and particular, the younger generation of players playing this game, from a historical experience and lesson we deserve and want.
One of the best parts of BF1 is how gripping and dark and real the war stories were, in particular the Harlem Hellfigther (opening mission). It captivated the senseless violence of the war, the immeasureable loss of human life, the horrors of shell shock and desperation, and literally killed off the players instead of having them respawn. It was beautiful, I mean sad and tragic yes, but the way they portrayed it was beautifully done, and respected the reality of the war. And DICE knows this sells well, thats why that mission played as soon as you started the game.
You’re right that I’m being a little premature about my concerns, but based off of COD’s approach in shirking almost all related violence and ideology, the wacky customization and arcaded feel of the trailer, and the fact that the developers havent commented on portraying this yet, makes me think they wont. Its just a shame.
There is a megathread for this topic @MikeMassey98 It is the notmybattlefield thread. You can post there like me and all the other people. @StarscreamUK should this duplicate thread be closed?
The reason I posted this, is because my concerns aren’t with diversity and inclusion in Multiplayer, this is specific to Campaign. I also don’t want to be associated with the bigotry and sexism of SOME of the complaints towards the new game, there are a lot of actual worthy complaints to the game. This was speculative, but meant to spark a new conversation regarding the campaign