WASHINGTON (AP) — 
“Medal of Honor” by Electronic Arts, a major game developer based in Redwood City, Ca., hits stores Oct. 12.
But after public protests, including one by British Defense Secretary Liam Fox, U.S. military officials decided not to stock the game in any of the nearly 300 service exchange shops on bases across the country.
Gamers are scoffing at the decision, saying that advanced technology has made it commonplace in the gaming world to let a player switch sides and play the bad guy.
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Comments (75)
Spokavriel
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 10:54amFrom the headline I had thought the Military had somehow managed to ban games from retail not under their jurisdiction. If they do not want the games in the PX or bases stores its their discretion. No one has a right to force someone to stock something they don’t want to. Request sure, force no.
Report Post »RaisingCain
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 9:06amI’m going to go out on a limb here and say that maybe the company making MOH should think twice about their product. Here’s the thing, WW2 is over, Vietnam is over, the Cold War is over. The war against radical Islamic terrorists…not over. The Military has a strong argument and the right to say they do not want their soldiers playing a violent game in which they take on the role of the enemy that they are fighting in a very real war.
Report Post »As far as civilians go, I never really got into gaming, so no, I can’t say that I understand that culture and mindset. But think back a ways….say they had this type of game 60 years ago, would a Jew who survived the Holocaust ever pick up and play a game in which they where the Nazis? I think not.
It’s not a question of can people buy/play/create this game, but a question of if they should.
darkmorrow
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 7:28amIf you want to play real violent games, join the Military. They have the best in the world.
Report Post »ShawnB
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 9:57amwow thats the truth…
Report Post »Akira Gomi
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 7:27amVenom, I’am 52 years old and have prestige 9 times so far COD 2 and just about ready to finish the 10th, and am on par for COD Blackops release, and pre-paid for Halo Reach and am looking forward to Dead Space 2. What about you? Got to work mommy for the money? I have been on line playing Counter Strike for years and only play with the Scout and 45acp with out hacks, because everything else is not a challenge. The comment of “teaching old dogs algebra”, In that case my dogs teaching linear algebra to juniors at Miami U engenering program. Next time you play when you get knifed by the “Ghost” remember who is the real Gamer. By the way I run full time business during the week and Kick the hell out of you “NOOBS” on the weekend.
Report Post »anon1983
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 3:45amIt’s a video game.
Get over yourselves. It could portray monkeys sexing footballs, and it would still be irrelevant.
Report Post »31Bravo
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 4:04amIt is a video game and if that video game company wants its product sold on military installations I guess it should twice about their content.
Too easy.
Report Post »rationalthought
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 2:22amWe had this same debate of video games shortly after september 11th, 2002. People were “offended” that you could play as a terrorist in a video game. What those of you who did not grow up in the generation of gaming need to understand is that in all games there is a good side and a bad side. When you play a multiplayer combat game, somebody has to play the bad guy or there is no one to play against. We are not talking about real people being shot or people who want to shoot American Solders. Its a game with two different models fighting against each other. Just like every other FPS. Counter Strike has been out since 1999 and has counter terrorist vs terrorist.
Back on topic, the military can ban this from thier stores if they like, the end result will be more curious games who might have overlooked the game now go out and buy it. Political correctness has never solved anything, it only creates problems, lets not try and use the same device just because we don’t like something. If this game offends you, go sniffle in the corner like a child, realize your an adult, and quit letting the fact that other people have different views than you dictate your emotional actions. If you allow someone to offend you, you allow them to control you.
Report Post »ju87stuka
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 10:45pmSweet! When it comes to the WW2 first person shooters, I could never figuer out why we couldn’t ever be the Germans. I’m for sure buying this game right away ay full price.
Report Post »Aron
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 10:01pmI’m not really sure what to think on this… in time of war, this type of thing is kind of disgraceful. Don’t censor though – issuing a ban on this (which i intend to play myself, but will probably stop if i’m forced to play the other side.. or maybe just shoot myself in the head, or attack my own side, if possible) is basically equivalent to burning religious books to me. It might not be right that they did it, but they first and foremost have the right to do it. If the people support it, let them show it with their wallets – if they don’t, it flops, and a lesson will be learned. Capitalism 101.
Report Post »GarbyBarengar
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 10:45pmIt was a minority thing to ban it.
You can still play counter-strike sheesh.
Report Post »mjipj
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 9:49pmWhat I’d like to know is why does it matter so much now? Have they been blind for the past 3 years. Since the first COD Modern Warfare game you could kill marines online…….who is the new sheriff in town that cares so much now…..
Report Post »plunderpower
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 10:06pmCall of Duty Modern Warfare is a game the guys like. They play against each other on the XBox360 platform. They also like COD Modern Warfare 2 also…they don’t care of Medal of Honor updated for Afghanistan. Go watch the trailer. It looks like the evening news. I can’t play it because it bothers me. Maybe some of the guys have complained about it bothering them and they are their own new Sheriff in town. Things are going hot since Obama’s speech, and to keep the Taliban fighters busy they put a bounty on soldiers and trucks. The guys are busy digging trenches and fortifying their bases. Helicopters are flying 24/7. Imagine a brother in that, and you trying to kill a soldier in your new Medal of Honor Game because its your right?! You’d have to have one cold heart, one cold heart.
Report Post »plunderpower
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 9:07pmWhy would anyone want to play Medal of Honor when they can play Halo? Why would anyone want to play Medal of Honor when they can play Call of Duty? I saw the trailers on this Medal of Honor Game and it gave me the willies. Soldiers aren’t that interested in it. Halo Halo Halo Halo…!!!
Report Post »plunderpower
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 9:18pmI emailed friends in Afghanistan and asked them if they’d checked it out. They had, but just weren’t that interested in it. They wanted the new Halo game along with just about everyone else over there. I preordered it for them. The other game they wanted was Call of Duty Black Ops, so I preordered that game for them. It sent morale on the whole FOB through the roof. When they aren’t digging trenches, or setting fortifications or flying helicopters 24/7 since Obama’s speech…they want to play Halo Reach on the XBox360. Medal of Honor is a dud people. And if they banned it, it was out of respect for the Soldiers and those that have given their lives for this country. Get over it & go get Halo.
Report Post »ju87stuka
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 10:49pmHalo sux Big Time!
Report Post »NYProud
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 8:00pmAs a retired military officer, I find this decision by AAFES totally absurd…just more political correctness gone berserk. Most troops I know love the game (as do I), and won’t let this PC crap deprive them of their freedom to play a great video game.
Report Post »GlennBeckIsADemagogue
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 8:40pmThank you for your breath of fresh air and reason!
Report Post »plunderpower
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 9:24pmThey like Halo and Call of Duty. They ask for Halo and Call of Duty. These are the popular games. Medal of Honor does not have good digital quality. These other two games have left them behind in the dust. Take a look at Halo Reach’s new trailers. Check out Call of Duty Black Ops…. There’s no comparison. None.
Report Post »dudeman4
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 7:34pmHuh… well… it won’t stop people from getting the game. If they can’t get off base they can always mail $60 to their family and say “Buy this game and mail it to me.”
Report Post »PaleRyder
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 7:13pmIf you really have to switch sides and play as the enemy of America,just register as a democrat and simply follow their party leadership.
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 10:57pmbetter yet, gamer kiddies, put on an American uniform and go overseas and leave your rifle at home. see how you like it in real life.
Report Post »Venom
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 2:46amI will after college :) you can laugh then or better yet you wont know whos hand your shaking….could this be the “gamer kidd” Grow up, if you only knew how many soldiers i play with.
Report Post »MESO71
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 6:57pmFirst amendment rights??? Really?!? No one has been banned from playing this game, not even the military. The simple truth is that military leadership has found this game to have offensive content and blocked the sales in military stores on military bases.
Report Post »In my honest opinion it was simply a knee jerk reaction that will give them more time to analyze the implications rather than rushing to open a potential Pandora’s Box and end up regretting it later.
The world would be a much nicer place if only people would think about the outcomes of there actions before leaping in head first (Like maybe reading a bill before passing it into law ! )
Reverend
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 6:48pmFirst off, I want to point out that I have no problem with the game.
Second, The military has every right to determine what is sold in military stores. Now, at the same time, if people want to play this game, including military personnel and their families, they are more than welcome to purchase it off base. This does not in any way infringe upon anyone’s rights. It would be no different than if any individual store decided they didn’t want to carry the game.
Now, that being said, I think the headline is a little misleading. From some of the comments I have read, it seems like some people took it to mean that the military banned sales of the game all over, not just within the military exchanges.
Report Post »GlennBeckIsADemagogue
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 7:18pmAgreed. You may notice after reading a lot of the stories on this site, that the headline is misleading. How else are you gonna stir up people’s emotions? Just giving them the facts can be boring
Report Post »TwoMinuteMan
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 7:39pmHow is the title misleading? You obviously fail at reading comprehension. The military obviously cant ban the sale of a video game in any civilian store.
Maybe in your country. Not mine.
Report Post »smartypoop
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 8:48pmI understood the title perfectly. There are many things that you can not by at the BX, this game is merely one of them. A non issue either way.
Report Post »HenryBowman
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 10:53amReverend, great post. I agree 100%. No problem with the game, no problem with the Military not wanting to sell it. They can sell or not sell whatever they want, for whatever reasoning they may have, shortsighted or not.
Report Post »StrinaM
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 6:44pmMilitary bases already don’t sell adult magazines… I just feel bad for those stationed overseas, who will have to order it online.
Report Post »Patriot Watch
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 9:29pmGOD for bid our soldiers dont have this game. Why dont you buy 50 of them and send them overseas
Report Post »plunderpower
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 9:55pmGood Grief…
Report Post »They’d trade them in on Halo Reach or Call to Duty Black Ops in a minute. The guys deployed don’t play Medal of Honor…not too many people actually follow this game. It’s skunky regardless of what nonsense is being posted here by those claiming to adore it. The guys that are deployed order games through Amazon…and if they really want it…they can get it. Get over the craziness getting posted. You’ve gone from Rights to Conspiracy and the military is doing respect for their own. Leave it alone and let them do what they feel is right for each other. You claiming to be retired military should know better. In the field they have each others backs…and since Ft. Hood, I’m sure they do at home as well….or did you forget Ft. Hood? Still want to kill soldiers playing the role of a Taliban? What crap.
Venom
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 2:44amThey don’t play it because the only thing out is Beta. BTW how the hell would you make a multiplayer out of a game like that? ohhhhh i knooooowwwww lets do Taliban Vs. US military…..or maybe we can be like call of duty and do russians v rangers……or maybe MFR v. terrorists……dude you just promoted a game that does the same crap. BTW black ops isnt out either and soooommmmmeeeee people cant play Halo Reach cuz uhhhhh, they might have a PS3…..yeah……
Report Post »Skwerl
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 6:42pmI always thought it strange when my friend was deployed to the Sandbox, he and his buddies played Gears of War, CounterStrike, Bad Company et al on their off hours. You’d think you would want to take a break from that.
Report Post »moelarrycurly
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 6:30pmfor the most part gamers are mature enough to understand the difference between reality and fantasy. This game is not marketed to children and parents who allow their young children to play games like this might need ‘help’. That being said, these games are all encompassing and have multi-player modes where teams of players fight others. The taliban or terrorist groups can be included in those teams. Having played games with my son-who is in the Navy I can tell you we would take some satisfaction in destroying the taliban-virtually or otherwise. I think the reporting on this is overblown..please find a better story-no offense Meredith.
Report Post »DE OPPRESSO LIBER
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 6:28pmThis is a stupid, AAFES should stock the damm game.
Report Post »TwoMinuteMan
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 6:23pm@Rexvetus
This doesnt affect you unless you are trying to buy the game ON a military base.
Unlike a civilian the military does have to abide by what the government tells them and what is sold in the exchanges is regulated.
I dont agree with the decision, In fact i believe it can be a great low cost training tool that the military can utilize. Lord knows the violent video games have desensitized americas youth. All they need now is a manpack version with VR goggles that conforms to a mock city on the base. It would be expensive but this administration doesnt flinch at spending our tax money for social programs and bailing out unions. This would actually do some good.
Report Post »Flagwaver
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 6:23pmAs a combat veteran who has spent time in both the Ashcanistan and Iraqi theater of operations, all I have to say is this:
Whoever sells this game off-post is going to make a good amount of money.
When troopies in a combat zone have access to a gaming system, the ones that I have seen played combat FPS games.
Report Post »BigWes
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 10:27pmWay off topic but I’ve always wondered if people who have seen real combat tend camp in FPS game or “run and gun”…
Venom
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 2:38ami play with some soldiers….they camp….alot
Report Post »Docere
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 6:15pmthat is too much, now the military is getting in to how people think. First Petraeus speaks out on some moron buring the Muslim bible. I served 8 years in the Marines and I think they have gone soft on top. If the Military starts calling the shots then something big is brewing
Report Post »RealityCheck
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 6:22pmThat something big is, lets buy some stock, ban the sale of the game driving up demand and make a quick buck.
Report Post »plunderpower
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 9:47pmMarines respect the Marines that gave their lives for this country. Unless you are an old Vietnam Geezer, shooting Marines in Afghanistan shouldn’t be at the top of your play list. Meanwhile…the guys over there are not Medal of Honor fans. They like Halo and Call of Duty. Personally, I checked out this Afghanistan shoot Soldiers game and it wasn’t pleasant at all…PLUS it isn’t as good digitally as the other two games. Give it a rest, and do a Semper Fi with dignity and respect…unless you’re full of the great Ka-Kaah. It is banned because it is violent…most games are and require a person be 18 yrs. of age or older to even see the trailers onlin. It is disrespectful…PERIOD.
Venom
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 2:36amWow, you obviously didnt do to much research, because they main guys are not marines, they are Army. And just to clear things up…in uhhhh Call of Duty……YOU HAVE OPFOR V. RANGERS…..way to go on the research….
Report Post »Resolved
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 6:06pmIt may sound superficial, but this could be a very slippery slope. Besides, it’s an awesome game!
Report Post »RexVetus
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 6:01pmListen I’m 16 and the only thing i find offensive about this is that it intrudes upon my first ammendment rights. I don’t care it is just a game. If you don‘t like it don’t buy it that is your choice. It’s basically the same as hitler”s burning of the books freedom is what those soldiers defend. This is just proof of it.
Report Post »rbqueen
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 6:29pmRexvetus, you talk about this intruding upon your first amdendment rights. I am not saying this in any way intended to insult you or your intellegence, however, I would recommend that you study up on right intrusions and the such. I say this because this article in no way intrudes upon your first amendment rights (which by the way is the right for you to say whatever you want and has nothing to do with not allowing you to play any game that you wish to play). I will say though that the military DOES have the right to decide what they will or won’t sell in their military stores, or do you think that they do not have that right to decide what to sell?
VegasGuy
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 7:13pmRBQUEEN, very well said.
smartypoop
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 8:45pmRexvetus- you can buy it at any retailer who chooses to sell it. This is nothing like Hitler’s book burnings. You will not go to prison if you buy it, you will not be shot if you are caught with it in your possession. If they still taught kids history in school, you would know this. I would encourage you however to do a little independent study to understand your rights and how government, if left unchecked can obliterate them.
Patriot Watch
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 9:27pmI agree with RB. This has nothing to do with your rights. It’s a military base. When you get out of the military you can buy any game you want and play till you drop or get dizzy.
Keep it up thou brother I like your direction you just need somemore time behind the wheel.
Report Post »plunderpower
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 9:39pmYour mother has to decide your First Amendment Rights sweetie.
BurntHills
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 10:55pmwe say let’s take the anti-American and probably authority-hatefilled and jealous teenage inventers of that “game” and slap a AMERICAN uniform on them and drop them off in enemy territory anywhere in the world. let the kiddies see how it feels to be an American being ambushed and murdered.
Venom
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 2:33amListen Rex…this is the down side of the Conservatives, they dont get teenagers…as an 18 year old, i totally see what your saying. Try to explain a video game to anyone over 45 is like teaching a dog algebra. They simply don’t get that to us, games are like more interactive books or movies. Every generations got it different. That said, when you join the military, you dont have rights per say…its the way it is. I will be joining when i get out of college and i have accepted that. As for your 1st amendment rights, when you turn 17 go drive down to gamestop and pick up that game. Well thats if ur parents are cool with it…. :)
Report Post »IrishRican
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 9:56amAs most of the people here have commented, you can buy the game somewhere else. Any store can choose to sell or not sell any game or thing they want. You are mad that the PX/BX is choosing not to sell something? That is their right. Besides, I’m sure if the base were polled, they would be more angry at the PX selling the game than not selling it. If you don’t like it, go to a store that sells it, and buy it there. If you’re really mad, don’t shop at the PX anymore, (and pay sales tax) you have a right to do that.
Report Post »Republic Under God
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 3:16pmRexvetus, counter-points made are correct. I agree with those opposing your view. However, I see your concern and would like to tweak it out. I encourageyou to keep studying the constitution and e an avid watchdog when it comes to our rights as Americans.
The 1st Amendment Right that you feel is being violated is not yours, but those of the makers of this game. As games are platform for expression/speech. The government entity that is the US Military is banning its sale in 300 military locations. The fact that it is a government entity banning it and on the premise of its content, speficially, should at least raise some eyebrows.
Now, comparing it to book-burning is far-fetched, but not altogether wrong. Most rights in the US are not not often snatched away in one fell swoop, but chipped away, slowly. We soon don’t miss the right and the next phase in chipping it away begins.
I recommend avoiding hyperbole (grossexaggeration like, Nazi Book Burning) and display a clear understanding of the rights. Your expressing that YOUR 1st ammendment rights being violated was incorrect as your expression/speech was not hindered.
God Bless your initiative and awareness of our rights.
Report Post »A Man For All Seasons
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 9:34pmIt is a violation of 1st amendment rights if it wasn’t allowed to sold at all. Games are like interactive stories this is true and some older people don’t understand this. But, as others have said you don’t exactly have rights in the military, if your gunny says jump your don’t ask how high you just jump.
Report Post »Venom
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 5:56pmThey used Teir 1 community operaters as consultants…this is as real as it gets…btw its on multiplayer. You gotta have teams folks.
Report Post »31Bravo
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 4:07amThey could’ve easily followed suit with games like Modern Warfare and many others where the opposing force were generic in nature.
It doesn’t really matter anyway. If that game company wants it‘s products sold on military installations they’ll think twice about their content in the future.
Report Post »HenryBowman
Posted on September 9, 2010 at 10:49am31Bravo, the bad guys in MW2‘s multiplayer may have been ’generic’, but they were still Muslim extremists and Russians. Just because the bad guys in MoH are accurately called ‘Taliban’ from ‘Afghanistan’ instead of ‘Tablibon’ from ‘Pashgonistan’ or whatever, doesn’t make it any different. There have been dozens of popular games where you can play as Muslim extremists released in the last 10 years and it has never been an issue until the media just now decided to make it one.
There are also plenty of WWII games where you can play as German, Italian, or Japanese soldiers. Don’t see anyone having any problems with that.
Report Post »Aither
Posted on September 10, 2010 at 3:41amI don’t think this was right or constitutional. If a soldier is old enough to sign up in the military, he can certainly make decision for himself whether he can play a game or not.
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