Electronic Arts deny access to play Taliban in new Metal of Honor

This is a strange turn for EA, normally they play the (freedom of speech / talk to the hand) card when people complain about what they do.  I guess "in these tough economic times" they aren't taking any chances and actually listening to the public. 

In this case, for good reason.

Bravo!

Electronic Arts Inc. will no longer allow gamers to play the newest edition of its military-themed video game "Medal of Honor" as Taliban fighters "shooting" U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan, the video game publisher said Friday.

In a posting on the company's "Medal of Honor" blog, EA said that it is renaming the "Taliban" team "Opposing Force" in the wake of concerns voiced by friends and families of soldiers who have died.

The option to play as the Taliban was to be included in the multiplayer mode of "Medal of Honor" that is coming out Oct. 12.

It is about time game developers were given a reality check.  Granted games become more real when they relate to current events, but also become very dated at the same time. 

Of course the best solution would be to create to "fake" sides like they did in Command and Conquer.  At least then nobody can complain that it is US vs USSR since it says GDI vs NOD on the box. 

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