Dear GS Homeslices,
Like some of you, I recently watched the video interview between Tom McShea and Greg Goodrich of EA, titled "A Matter of Authenticity". Like many, I left my two cents regarding my sentiments on military FPSes and the US military's company culture and ongoing wars for profit. Probably to the dismay of many a brainwashed fanboy.
While I'm as suspiscious of Tom as I am any journalist, he did make some damn good points. Particularly in regard to the very unrealistic nature of so-called "war" games and EA's claims to "military authenticity". Of course, Greg felt "disrespected" and all the little military FPS fanboys came out in droves to dis Tom. Being a vet, from a combat MOS (Infantry), I found myself siding with Tom.
Greg gave the redundant speech that, as a vet, I've heard until I can puke: "...they're laying it all on the line for my freedom and so that I can play these games..." (buuurrrgggllll!)
For starters, Greg is trying too hard to validate a highly contrived piece of work. Micheal Bay himself could stand in awe at how much effort and money goes into creating this slickly produced bs.
Secondly, the US military hasn't been involved in a "necessary" war since WW2. The US military has spent the last 60+ years and almost 50% of federal tax dollars invading 3rd World countries and propping up puppet governments: US military "liberates" people (blows up their home), replaces government with puppet government, puppet government cuts off necessities to the peasantry and sets up sweatshops...rinse and repeat. The Pentagon is Wall Street's best friend.
If any of the military themed games were "authentic", you'd be pretty put off by actual military life. You'd spend far more time cleaning your M4 than firing it. You'd find yourself in a company culture of sameness that borders on fascism. And you'd answer to very bullyish "leadership" under autocratic rule. Most enlistees only do a single term, because the company culture is so very wonderful.
Bare in mind, I joined at 32 out of desperation for employment during the peak of the "great Recession". At 19 or 20 I may have been just as brainwashed as anyone else. But, at 32, I'd been in the real world (civilian adult) long enough to know bs when I see it. Thus, I took care to not let Stockholm Syndrome settle in.
Greg claims that actual vets and service members took part in creating these games. This much I can believe. Some vets would take part in something like this -but for very selfish reasons. Let me explain:
(1) These games allow vets and current service members to experience military life the way they wish it was. The vast majority of them did their 3-6 years with nothing to write home about. As I described, military life is pretty damn miserable. Even in a non-combat zone. These games allow these guys to have the Hollywoodized Micheal Bay-like experience they signed up for -but never got.
(2) Many of these vets and service members are gonna spend the better part of their lives as civilians skating by on "veteran" status. From VA benifits to VA programs to employers hiring vets for the fat tax right offs. If the military company culture looks good, than the vets look good. It's in their best interest to make sure that military company culture is portrayed as altruisticly and heroicly as possible. Cameras present while gunning down kids in Afghanistan not withstanding. So anything that romanticizes it wins cool points with many a vet.
Take Care, Treat the Hype Like What It Is & Don't Buy Into It
-nate1222