Britain’s Defence Secretary Defended His Action for the Ban of Medal of Honor Game

Britain’s Defence Secretary Liam Fox has defended his comments that the retailers should ban the upcoming Medal of Honor video game from their stores. He further said that he dislikes the idea of the game that allows players to take the role of Taliban in the Afghan war. He continued that it is shocking for him to think that anybody can recreate the act of Taliban against British soldier. Liam also said that the retailer should show their support for British soldier and ban this product. The game is expected to release in October, 2010.

“The point remains that part of this game allows you to play the part of the Taliban attacking ISAF troops in the area of central Helmand where British troops are operating. At the hands of the Taliban, children have lost fathers and wives have lost husbands. At the hands of the Taliban, children have lost fathers and wives have lost husbands.” he said.

However, An Electronic Arts spokesman reciprocated that the game does not allow the Taliban soldier to kill the British armed forces. The Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) distanced themselves from the comment of the British minister. Although, the government replied that this the personal view of Dr Fox. The department further said that there is a ratings system in place in order to categorize games properly. In this case, the game is rated 18. So it should be sold  to adults only.

Frank Gibeau, the president of Electronic Art’s game label added that he knew that the game may trigger controversy. That’s why they took steps to minimize it. A spokesman for EA said that Medal of Honor is a depiction of the soldier’s experience in Afghanistan in a right way that matches US forces against the Taliban in today’s war.

“Many popular video games allow players to assume the identity of enemies, including Nazis and terrorists. In the multi-player levels of Medal of Honor, teams will assume the identity of both US forces and the Taliban,” said EA spokesperson.