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[mikefrails]

Some say it's pandering, some say it's a glowing mark of diversity. Others don't care and just want a functioning game.

If they're pandering then what is the incentive? To lose the sales of racists and finally have a pure fanbase? If they're just trying to include more possible players to their game then why do you think the protagonist has to be a minority for this to happen?

If you just want a good game then do you really believe the Zeppelin will be fun to fly or fight against?

// Mod Edit:

Here's DICE's comments on the matter: http://venturebeat.com/2016/05/06/ea-dices-lead-designer-answers-our-questions-about-battlefield-1/

GamesBeat: The character you have on the front of the promotional stuff you were showing, the guy in the cape with the club and stuff, why that particular character?

Berlin: We thought it was a cool image for the cover. When we set out on this game, we wanted to depict not just the common view of what the war was like. We wanted to challenge some preconceptions. We want to delve into some of the unknowns of World War One. Maybe people don’t know that this person fought or that person fought, that this army was involved. We’re stretching out and bringing all those stories into the game. But I can’t go into any specific details as far as which armies or characters we’re depicting at this point.

GamesBeat: You’re talking about revealing sides of the war that people don’t necessarily know about. A lot of people have made note of the fact that your cover character is black, even though obviously black people fought in World War One. For you guys, was that a conscious decision, an opportunity to show that there was more breadth to this war than people know about?

Berlin: That’s the thing. People don’t know that this was the case. We want to show diversity in the game. That’s been a key goal. You can see in the trailer that there’s a Bedouin woman warrior on a horse. She’s a playable character in the single-player campaign.

 

[Surface of Me]

OP did you just play devil's advocate for all the possibilities? Why would you start a thread in such a way if you are really wanting a good discourse on the topic?

 

[Deadbeat]

I dont like that its a generic black man on the cover. I want chalky white.

 

[Boke1879]

What's the issue?

 

[mikefrails]

OP did you just play devil's advocate for all the possibilities? Why would you start a thread in such a way if you are really wanting a good discourse on the topic?

Those are questions looming in the air that I feel we're too afraid to ask. No one can explain why they feel the way they do if we're not posing the right questions to them.

 

[Fat4all]

What's the issue?

Everything and nothing, it seems.

Is this dlc based off of Waiting for Godot?

Those are questions looming in the air that I feel we're too afraid to ask.

We are? We who?

 

[Krappadizzle]

What's the issue?

There's a black guy on the cover? I guess that's the issue.


I could not care less. I was surprised to see a black guy as I was expecting Joe the Plumber like most video game covers. He looks like a badass to me, which is cool to me. As with most racist/ignorant people, I just ignore them and move on.

 

[Respawn]

Hey to the haters

Deal with it. It's done.

 

[TheCanisDirus]

Bad decisions all around with BF1 in my personal opinion. Shits done changed at DICE.

 

[SomeRandomWeirdGuy]

I just wish it had been a black French troop on the cover instead. As an American I don't like an American being on the cover of a WWI game.

 

[ChawlieTheFair]

Black people weren't even real in 1914 /s

I just wish it had been a black French troop on the cover instead. As an American I don't like an American being on the cover of a WWI game.

Although I do kinda agree with this. Movies like saving private ryan have a semi-similar problem with just showing the American side. Not that it lessens the sacrifices made, it's just smells a bit jingo-ie.
Though based on then campaign description it seems like you would be playing as different characters from seemingly European countries. Americans being DLC is pretty fine with me.

 

[Astral/H3X]

Bad decisions all around with BF1 in my personal opinion. Shits done changed at DICE.

Maybe I'm not following, but what in particular is a bad decision?

 

[Fat4all]

I mean, has this stirred up anything yet? Is it treading on twitter or sommit?

Seems like jumping the gun otherwise.

 

[Vulcano's assistant]

I actually thought he was french at first.

 

[Deadbeat]

Those are questions looming in the air that I feel we're too afraid to ask.

Well then let me ask you this: Will there be DLC where I play as Hitler? I need my Hitler fix.

 

[BY2K]

Has there been ANY kind of backlash over this? Like at ALL?

 

[chrominance]

Will I get to have sex with anyone or anything in Battlefield 1?

 

[Fat4all]

I actually thought he was french at first.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

as long as the theme song doesn't start "CON LOS TERRORISTAS" we're good

 

[Coffinhal]

I just wish it had been a black French troop on the cover instead. As an American I don't like an American being on the cover of a WWI game.

They should do local boxarts like they do for the FIFA games, with a star player of the country aside from Lionel Messi.

Joke aside, it seems to be one of the 6 singleplayer "heroes", I don't know if they chose to depict black French troop.

 

[Salty Rice]

How about there is just a black person on the cover and thats it.

Why has everything to be under the magnifying glass nowadays?

 

[MK_768]

Lol wtf kinda thread is this? I haven't seen any issues over this. I think someone is trying to find a problem where there isn't cause he feels people are being to hush hush about it. I mean make of THAT what you will against the OP. Cause of course there has to be a controversy with a minority in a game.

Also, it speaks volumes about the video game industry and how those in it view it but whatever. This idiotic thread doesn't help.

 

[DavidFoundation300]

I can't wait to play this videogame.

 

[Ashby]

Based on the trailer my only concern is that the Harlem Hellfighters won't be featured enough.

 

[chrominance]

Will Battlefield 1 be edible? What flavour will it have? The hard questions everyone's too afraid to ask.

 

[Interficium]

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=202835289&postcount=1330

 

[RoKKeR]

^^^ Iunderstoodthatreference.gif

Wait, what?

 

[bishoptl]

Those are questions looming in the air that I feel we're too afraid to ask.

That's mustard gas.

It turns my stomach. Just flat out the most offensive game I've ever seen.

I can name family members that died in this conflict, wept at the pictures and accounts of the dead and maimed that experienced this hell, was taught all the horrors of it from primary school, through my whole life, it's only ever been a symbol of the folly of war, the worst, most black and shameful era of British and European history. I've been to the actual battlefields and mass graves across Europe, held the minutes silence without fail every rememberence day my entire life, for as long as I could understand the meaning of it.

There was no glory in this war. No thrilling action or daring do, no heroes and villains, this was mass murder, a scar on the history of our species, and every single person involved in it was a victim.

This trailer, the entire concept of this game, makes me feel physically sick, and just so fucking angry.

How fucking dare anyone make a game like this about the Harlem Hellfighters.

I don't know what's worse, the sick fucking emotionless, greedy cunts that would seriously exploit this horror of an industrialised massacre, or the ignorant, soulless bastards that will give them money and enjoy it.

Anyone involved in this, or seriously think of buying this, should be ashamed of themselves.

I just bought the Collector's Edition

 

[malfcn]

Damned if you do, damned if don't.

I've wondered about this topic before too. How do you be inclusive without becoming blamed for tokens?

I have no problem with it. Maybe someone will learn that there are bad ass black squads in the "white" American forces.

 

[Boke1879]

OP adding the Hellfighters is an easy and very relevant way of adding diversity. Not to mention it gives them to opportunity to shed light on a story not many may know about.

 

[fernoca]

as long as the theme song doesn't start "CON LOS TERRORISTAS" we're good

XD
Wow. Now I have it stuck in my head...thanks

 

[WillyFive]

Cover art sucks for BF1, but it's cool they are showing off less popular WW1 people.

It turns my stomach. Just flat out the most offensive game I've ever seen.

I can name family members that died in this conflict, wept at the pictures and accounts of the dead and maimed that experienced this hell, was taught all the horrors of it from primary school, through my whole life, it's only ever been a symbol of the folly of war, the worst, most black and shameful era of British and European history. I've been to the actual battlefields and mass graves across Europe, held the minutes silence without fail every rememberence day my entire life, for as long as I could understand the meaning of it.

There was no glory in this war. No thrilling action or daring do, no heroes and villains, this was mass murder, a scar on the history of our species, and every single person involved in it was a victim.

This trailer, the entire concept of this game, makes me feel physically sick, and just so fucking angry.

How fucking dare anyone make a game like this about the Harlem Hellfighters.

I don't know what's worse, the sick fucking emotionless, greedy cunts that would seriously exploit this horror of an industrialised massacre, or the ignorant, soulless bastards that will give them money and enjoy it.

Anyone involved in this, or seriously think of buying this, should be ashamed of themselves.

Is the new Japanese expert thing?

 

[james_b0ndjr]

I'm so over these discussions. They probably did it to cover up that they truly are racists. Or maybe the opposite. Or maybe he's an Asian. Yes. Or wait. The universe is one big plastic sack filled with water and we're all goldfish.

 

[J_Viper]

It turns my stomach. Just flat out the most offensive game I've ever seen.

I can name family members that died in this conflict, wept at the pictures and accounts of the dead and maimed that experienced this hell, was taught all the horrors of it from primary school, through my whole life, it's only ever been a symbol of the folly of war, the worst, most black and shameful era of British and European history. I've been to the actual battlefields and mass graves across Europe, held the minutes silence without fail every rememberence day my entire life, for as long as I could understand the meaning of it.

There was no glory in this war. No thrilling action or daring do, no heroes and villains, this was mass murder, a scar on the history of our species, and every single person involved in it was a victim.

This trailer, the entire concept of this game, makes me feel physically sick, and just so fucking angry.

How fucking dare anyone make a game like this about the Harlem Hellfighters.

I don't know what's worse, the sick fucking emotionless, greedy cunts that would seriously exploit this horror of an industrialised massacre, or the ignorant, soulless bastards that will give them money and enjoy it.

Anyone involved in this, or seriously think of buying this, should be ashamed of themselves.

 

[cityhunter]

I'm excited for both the IW and Battlefield 1. Didn't spend a microsecond on this "motive" bullshit critic that seems to pop up for everything in games. Looks cool, settings look great. The characters and covers look badass. Does it matter the "color" of the skin? No. Does it matter if it's male or female? No. As long as I'm attracted to the game, art style etc... That's all that matters at the end of the day. That Harlem Hellfighter cover looks badass.

 

[udivision]

-________-

 

[LQX]

Where are you seeing this? Cant say I saw any talk like that in the reveal thread.

 

[Scientist Supreme!]

I don't understand the op.
The Harlem Hellfighters are cool though.

 

[soultron]

The cover is awesome and I'm definitely into learning about the Harlem Hellfighters now, especially outside of the game.

I also want a coat-cape combo as well.

 

[SargerusBR]

It turns my stomach. Just flat out the most offensive game I've ever seen.

I can name family members that died in this conflict, wept at the pictures and accounts of the dead and maimed that experienced this hell, was taught all the horrors of it from primary school, through my whole life, it's only ever been a symbol of the folly of war, the worst, most black and shameful era of British and European history. I've been to the actual battlefields and mass graves across Europe, held the minutes silence without fail every rememberence day my entire life, for as long as I could understand the meaning of it.

There was no glory in this war. No thrilling action or daring do, no heroes and villains, this was mass murder, a scar on the history of our species, and every single person involved in it was a victim.

This trailer, the entire concept of this game, makes me feel physically sick, and just so fucking angry.

How fucking dare anyone make a game like this about the Harlem Hellfighters.

I don't know what's worse, the sick fucking emotionless, greedy cunts that would seriously exploit this horror of an industrialised massacre, or the ignorant, soulless bastards that will give them money and enjoy it.

Anyone involved in this, or seriously think of buying this, should be ashamed of themselves.

So this is the new 'expert' post?

 

[Cosmo Clock 21]

How about there is just a black person on the cover and thats it.

Why has everything to be under the magnifying glass nowadays?

Because we don't yet live in a world where you can "just" have a black person on the cover.

 

[jediyoshi]

Some say it's pandering, some say it's a glowing mark of diversity. Others don't care and just want a functioning game.

If they're pandering then what is the incentive? To lose the sales of racists and finally have a pure fanbase? If they're just trying to include more possible players to their game then why do you think the protagonist has to be a minority for this to happen?

OP I'm glad you're asking these tough questions to get to the bottom of

 

[karasu]

Pandering or not I thank them. I think it's awesome.

 

[Uff duh]

I didn't even think about motive when I saw the cover. Then went and looked up the Hell Fighters after this thread. I do not know much about WW1 but I am now aware of who there are. I think it is a good thing to put something on the cover that will maybe inform people to something that they might not be aware of. And as far as being ashamed not at all,I am more ashamed that I am an American and had no clue of who the Helfighters were.

 

[Granadier]

 

[Jabba]

So this is the new 'expert' post?

Looks like it.

 

[Akronis]

It turns my stomach. Just flat out the most offensive game I've ever seen.

I can name family members that died in this conflict, wept at the pictures and accounts of the dead and maimed that experienced this hell, was taught all the horrors of it from primary school, through my whole life, it's only ever been a symbol of the folly of war, the worst, most black and shameful era of British and European history. I've been to the actual battlefields and mass graves across Europe, held the minutes silence without fail every rememberence day my entire life, for as long as I could understand the meaning of it.

There was no glory in this war. No thrilling action or daring do, no heroes and villains, this was mass murder, a scar on the history of our species, and every single person involved in it was a victim.

This trailer, the entire concept of this game, makes me feel physically sick, and just so fucking angry.

How fucking dare anyone make a game like this about the Harlem Hellfighters.

I don't know what's worse, the sick fucking emotionless, greedy cunts that would seriously exploit this horror of an industrialised massacre, or the ignorant, soulless bastards that will give them money and enjoy it.

Anyone involved in this, or seriously think of buying this, should be ashamed of themselves.

Congratulations, you're now a dank meme.

 

[Skux]

With a name like the HARLEM HELLFIGHTERS, how could you possibly not include them?

 

[Stratosphere]

It turns my stomach. Just flat out the most offensive game I've ever seen.

I can name family members that died in this conflict, wept at the pictures and accounts of the dead and maimed that experienced this hell, was taught all the horrors of it from primary school, through my whole life, it's only ever been a symbol of the folly of war, the worst, most black and shameful era of British and European history. I've been to the actual battlefields and mass graves across Europe, held the minutes silence without fail every rememberence day my entire life, for as long as I could understand the meaning of it.

There was no glory in this war. No thrilling action or daring do, no heroes and villains, this was mass murder, a scar on the history of our species, and every single person involved in it was a victim.

This trailer, the entire concept of this game, makes me feel physically sick, and just so fucking angry.

How fucking dare anyone make a game like this about the Harlem Hellfighters.

I don't know what's worse, the sick fucking emotionless, greedy cunts that would seriously exploit this horror of an industrialised massacre, or the ignorant, soulless bastards that will give them money and enjoy it.

Anyone involved in this, or seriously think of buying this, should be ashamed of themselves.

Dank meme already in effect.

 

[Iorv3th]

Because we don't yet live in a world where you can "just" have a black person on the cover.

Socom 2 did it.