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Uncategorized Wednesday, June 13th 2012 at 8:00 pm

Medal of Honor: Warfighter Military Edition to be Released to Armed Forces

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EA Games had a lot to show about their successor to 2010′s Medal of Honor at their E3 press conference. It was not until recently that EA revealed their plans to release a version of Medal of Honor: Warfighter available only to members of the U.S. military. Medal of Honor: Warfighter – Military Edition will include the special edition of the game as well as a few in-game items and uniforms exclusive to this version. The Military Edition is available through the armed forces-only website, GovX and is connected to EA’s new charity initiative, Project HONOR, which provides support for returning US Special Operatives.

Medal of Honor: Warfighter is currently in development by Danger Close Games, located in Los Angeles, California. In the game, players will travel around the world, taking part in modern military operations such as conflicts with Somalian pirates. The goal of Medal of Honor: Warfighter is to deliver a realistic military experience combined with numerous connections to the real world. The connections are not limited, however, to in-game firefights. EA has teamed up with a number of real-world companies such as Magpul and SureFire as part of their Project HONOR campaign. EA will feature their products in Medal of Honor: Warfighter with the agreement that the companies will donate to organizations that support returning U.S. military personel such as the Navy SEALS Foundation.

It is, without a doubt, a good thing that EA is using the massive size of their corporation to help returning U.S. armed forces members, but I can’t help but detect just a dash of irony in all this. It should be noted that SureFire produces, among other products, weapon mounted lights and laser sights; Magpul Industries produces polymer firearms. Combining a gritty, realistic first-person shooter with military equipment companies in order to donate to a foundation that supports the families of special operatives who were killed in combat seems just a bit off to me. Also, giving the men and women of the U.S. military an exclusive version of a hyper-realistic military shooter doesn’t seem like the best way to thank them for their service.

It’s possible that I am completely missing the point of all this, but something about it just rubs me the wrong way. I can certainly see where EA is coming from; they want to show their support for the men and women on which they base their games. EA should, by no means, be criticized for what they are trying to do, but some doubt remains in at least one gamer’s head.

(via Eurogamer)

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  • Butthammer

    Yah you are an idiot for not getting it. You are insisting on inserting your own views in to a situation where they aren’t needed. 

  • Anonymous

    Now now, Butthammer, there is no need for name calling. I suppose that I was, indeed, missing the point. What was it that I wasn’t getting?

  • Virtual_Ninja

    I agree, this doesn’t quite add up for me.

    I could understand if they said proceeds from the Military Edition was going to a charity for armed forces personnel, but I don’t think “You’re getting killed out there, so we’ll give you a special edition of a game so you can experience MORE KILLING!” is a particularly good idea.

    Also, Butthammer is a bit of an idiot if he feels the author has no right to state his views. Everyone has a right to their own views, and the right to say those opinions. As many people keep saying, thats what the soldiers fight for.. freedom.

  • Dngr_renegado84

    My thought is this: the Medal of Honor series is the first to make a video game based on the conflicts we are currently fighting. Or at least make a good one. It may hit too close to home for a few of us, especially those with PTSD, but many of us truly appreciate the fact that MoH is based on a fight that we have fought, and are still fighting. Call of Duty, Ghost Recon, Battlefield, etc, all these games are great, and a hell of a lot of fun to play, but these games are all complete fiction and have very few things based on reality, as far as the plot goes. MoH is based on actual operations, which to me, makes it more personal to today’s soldiers, marines, airmen, and sailors.

    Of course, not everyone is spec ops, but that’s what a lot of people strive to do; they truly are the elite. And many of us will end up supporting them in some way. Plus, it’s a chance to support our fellow warfighters returning from the fight.

    Also, EA makes money. That’s the American dream, and if they make a good product, by God, I will give them my money and support the American dream.

    One last point, Butthammer, it’s called the First Amendment. I swore an oath to protect and defend it, so yeah, the author can say whatever he damn well pleases.

  • Anonymous

    How about we all not speak for the armed forces currently serving ok? If they like playing these games then great. If they don’t then they won’t. To those of us who don’t serve let’s not argue over wild assumptions.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1674819454 Kim Bannister

    Actually, they can use virtual war games like this to prevent or reduce effects of traumatic stress syndrome.

  • http://twitter.com/pounddollarsign Michael Corey

     I am not sure what you don’t understand about SureFire and Magpul wanting to be in on this, or their desire to give back to the people who primarily use their products. As a gun nut I find that the majority of companies I get parts from proudly state that they donate a portion of their profits to military focused charities.

    You also find that quite a few of these companies were founded by military personnell, such as Magpul Industries which was founded by retired Marine Corps Force Recon sergeant Richard M. Fitzpatrick and based on a product that he had actually used during his service.

  • LT-Airborne

    also, many soldiers love games. While in Iraq we would play games like call of duty during down time.

  • BattleDoc2/503

    Not to speak for every veteran, but a whole lot of us:

    1) Love Magpul, Surefire, Trijicon, L3, Etc, and equip our own personal firearms with their products. 

    2) Play a ton of FPSs, in addition to other games. I’d say 90% of my platoon loved Modern Warfare, Halo, etc. We’d even play them on REFIT when we got to grab hot showers and chow.

    Maybe some vets feel differently, but I for one love this idea. There are too many armchair commandos (13 y/o tough-talking little pukes) out there, and this is a nice way to set us apart. Most of us play video games b/c they allow us to be reckless, and have fun, just like everyone else. While some people have acute PTSD symptoms, most of us don’t have ‘hollywood-style’ flashbacks when playing games.

  • Brad Hopper

     As a deployed US Army Infantryman, I don’t find this out of line at all. Video games don’t make me flash back to the numerous times I’ve been shot at, they are a great stress reliever. I for one applaud EA for what they’re doing, and I’m definitely looking forward to playing it.

  • bears

    It’s true!  I know a lot of people who use Battlefield 3 as a relief mechanism for their PTSD.

  • Guest

    He didn’t say he had no right to state his opinions.  He said they weren’t needed. Big difference.

    The reason they will release a Military Edition is because the largest demographic for FPS are active duty and former military.  They are releasing it to acknowledge that audience, not bombard them with “MORE KILLING!” If they don’t want to be exposed to it then they won’t buy it.