Videogames Depicting Military

[SlightlyCatholic]

For Veterans ,

Do you get offended when certain battles or engagements are depicted in which you took part? Do you feel like your service is being mocked when some kid can press buttons and "accomplish the mission" when you personally know the sacrifice involved in doing just that?

I was playing "Call of Duty 2" for XBOX 360 today (presents major battles in WWII), when it occurred to me that I might be offended if I were actually part of World War Two and some teenager was taking the Second World War as a means of their personal enjoyment.

In any case, I'd like to hear what you Vets think about this...because more than likely there will be a videogame about the Iraq War in the next ten years. God bless everyone!

[HairyEyeball]

Since those games are so far outside my 'orbit', calling them irrelevant - to me, at least - would be an understatement - and who takes 'offense' at irrelevancies? Additionally, the whole point is that - again, just a personal opinion - I was there, I know what it was really like and (as I elaborated on a similar thread in the last 'old' forum) if some pimply-faced, calloused-thumb kid thinks, sitting in a comfortable chair in a climate-controlled environment with carefully adjusted audio and video, that he has any concept of what he's doing besides pushing buttons, the joke's not only on him, but the bigger joke is that he's clueless about the joke being on him.

This isn't to say that adults, including Veterans (in some cases, of the same battles) don't play these games, but none I know of do from the perspective you posit.

[PaulR]

I was over there in 2003-4 and play the games. Although I was not in any fire fights(although one of my shipmates was killed by a suicide bomber)I would actually feel sort of proud that the video game makers would have thought enough of the engagement to "immortalize it".

[FeelinFroggy]

Since those games are so far outside my 'orbit', calling them irrelevant - to me, at least - would be an understatement - and who takes 'offense' at irrelevancies? Additionally, the whole point is that - again, just a personal opinion - I was there, I know what it was really like and (as I elaborated on a similar thread in the last 'old' forum) if some pimply-faced, calloused-thumb kid thinks, sitting in a comfortable chair in a climate-controlled environment with carefully adjusted audio and video, that he has any concept of what he's doing besides pushing buttons, the joke's not only on him, but the bigger joke is that he's clueless about the joke being on him.

This isn't to say that adults, including Veterans (in some cases, of the same battles) don't play these games, but none I know of do from the perspective you posit. I managed to muster a chuckle in spite of the fact I'm plagued with a dreadful sinus infection; in which has left my head feeling severely clogged and hurting to the point it's only rival would be that of the kid who thinks videogames hold any weight to the "real world".

I was a big Mario fan back in my childhood though.

[SlightlyCatholic]

So the consensus is that nobody really cares about videogames? Fair enough...perhaps I was simply overanalyzing the subject. Thanks again for all of your input.

[Startingover]

Well I can say that the games are fun but I do start to get picky a bit about some games like COD and SOCOM where they have little details everywhere that are "off" a bit from what they really are. Like in Movies and shows where the rank is on wrong or the name is called wrong, it gets tedious sometimes.

Has anyone had that? Been watching a show or a movie and youll just see something thats off? Like a Lt. Col walking across the screen and they're called a Major? Or rank is put on the Uniform upside down?

[PDudkowski]

I used to play the MS Combat Flight Simulator. I enjoyed the action. It was a stress reliever. The makers of the game (not MS but the producers / creators) explained it is a game of ariel combat skill and not meant to glorify killing. Regardless of the claim, it was kill or be killed at 20,000 ft. I should have been able to purchase for 1/2 price because I never flew for the enemy.

I admittedly have tried first person shooter games as well. I think if you can restrict yourself to strategy, which from what I seen means keeping alive, have fun. If you are unstable and believe yourself an invinsible killer, stay away. You'll eventually make headlines and the maker of the game will end up as part of your insanity defense and get sued by your family and your victims.

Seminarian Tim, I think you jumped to quick. After three responses you declared a consensus and considered this thread dead.

[SlightlyCatholic]

Seminarian Tim, I think you jumped to quick. After three responses you declared a consensus and considered this thread dead.

Guilty as charged. My mistake.

[teejay91b]

I had to chuckle after reading this thread. I recall a commercial for Navy SEALs where the kids playing are wiped out in an ambush. They're talking to one another online when one of them says, "Who were those guys?". Cut to a tent in the desert with a SEAL team sitting in front of the game console. One of them grins and remarks, "Like shooting fish in a barrel."

[ClearShot89]

I had to chuckle after reading this thread. I recall a commercial for Navy SEALs where the kids playing are wiped out in an ambush. They're talking to one another online when one of them says, "Who were those guys?". Cut to a tent in the desert with a SEAL team sitting in front of the game console. One of them grins and remarks, "Like shooting fish in a barrel."

I know this is an old thread, but I thought I might add a few words in.

I have seen that commercial and I remember I laughed because, with the world today, it could be very much so possible with the SEALs playing something like SOCOM.

But aslo I can see Seminarian_Tim's point of this thread, because in all reality it's possible there is some Veteran that walks in a room with his teenage grandchild playing in some war based game. Then afte he sits down with interested, realizes exactly what he's playing and inside gets hurt.

[SlightlyCatholic]

But aslo I can see Seminarian_Tim's point of this thread, because in all reality it's possible there is some Veteran that walks in a room with his teenage grandchild playing in some war based game. Then afte he sits down with interested, realizes exactly what he's playing and inside gets hurt.

I personally don't think that actual military conflicts should be turned into a game and sold for a profit. But hey, if it sells, then it'll keep happening.

[PhilK]

Honestly, if these games weren't being made eventually the conflict would fade into memory and be nothing more then a museum section or a bunch of books on the shelf at the bookstore.

How many WWII veterans are still around today? How many kids will go out and pick up a non-required book about the war?

They pick up Call of Duty or Brothers in Arms and it just might spark an interest about "what really happened".


But aslo I can see Seminarian_Tim's point of this thread, because in all reality it's possible there is some Veteran that walks in a room with his teenage grandchild playing in some war based game. Then afte he sits down with interested, realizes exactly what he's playing and inside gets hurt.

Or he takes the opportunity to say "y'know it wasn't like that" (or maybe it was), "I was there". And it opens a chance for him to share stories with his grandson about his life and his hardships.

Like movies, video games is a way of keeping the conflicts alive for future generations.

[SlightlyCatholic]

Honestly, if these games weren't being made eventually the conflict would fade into memory and be nothing more then a museum section or a bunch of books on the shelf at the bookstore.

How many WWII veterans are still around today? How many kids will go out and pick up a non-required book about the war?

They pick up Call of Duty or Brothers in Arms and it just might spark an interest about "what really happened".




Or he takes the opportunity to say "y'know it wasn't like that" (or maybe it was), "I was there". And it opens a chance for him to share stories with his grandson about his life and his hardships.

Like movies, video games is a way of keeping the conflicts alive for future generations.


I can see your point. In a lot of ways videogames are becoming "interactive film", where people get to be a part of the movie. I guess at the end of the day, it's not the videogames that matter but the approach that's taken towards them.