Despite massive backlash from fans, video game publisher EA is defending its decision to include women and even “other genders” in its newest addition to the Battlefield franchise.
Yesterday, EA/DICE boss Oskar Gabrielson gave a speech about male/female equality in video games and how his company is “doing their bit” to support and promote it:
Battlefield V has a woman fighter on the cover. Here are some of the comments EA got. Good speech by Dice boss Oskar tonight ab equality. About EA/Dice doing their bit in fight for equality. Loved it đź‘Ź pic.twitter.com/cY2jr6ga2h
— Mia R (@miafia) December 1, 2018
Notice anything… interesting in the image Mia R posted? Here’s another one (click to enlarge):
Multiple quotes can be seen on the stage screen at EA’s official Battlefield V launch party, including:
“White men! White men! White men!”
“Feminism ruins everything. Feminazies are trying to rewrite history.”
“What the f*ck was the developers thinking!”
“Genderfield 5!”
These quotes were allegedly taken from some of the more vocal Battlefield critics.
A large #EVERYONESBATTLEFIELD hashtag is even plastered dead-center on the backdrop, letting players know the company’s stance on this particular issue.
Back in May, DICE replied to a few players who were concerned about the direction their beloved franchise was heading.
One player posted the following comment:
“I only think games depicting past conflicts ought to be representative out of respect and realism. There’s been plenty of prior inaccuracies, but there’s a difference between unrealistic gameplay components and the unnecessary misportrayal of how women actually contributed in WW2.”
The game company’s reply:
We treat history with great respect, as we did before with Battlefield 1942 and Battlefield 1. With that, we also wanted to empower player choice, diversity and inclusion, so our players can fully customize the way that they want their soldiers look and play.
— #Battlefield V (@Battlefield) May 23, 2018
More criticism:
“This is about keeping the spirit of what makes @Battlefield great. Pirate women with robot arms and cricket bats? Was this poll tested? I thought I was being
#pranked.”
And another cookie-cutter response from EA/DICE:
We wanted to empower player choice, diversity and inclusion, so our players can fully customize the way that they want their soldiers look and play. With that, there are a plethora of customization options for your soldiers including body types, gender, war paints and more.
— #Battlefield V (@Battlefield) May 24, 2018
Some social media users are including the tag #GetWokeGoBroke while discussing the controversy:
The #BattlefieldV debacle is hilarious. @EA deliberately warped the history of World War II because of MUH FEMINISM and their sales figures went down the toilet! 🤣 #GetWokeGoBroke
— Eric Mrozek 🇺🇸 (@EricMMrozek) December 2, 2018
Every historical event shown in Battlefield V is a lie, either a small lie or something massive like Operation Freshman. Almost all completely made up, changed to fit an agenda what a small vocal minority wanted. EA has no backbone! Now they won’t get my money! #GetWokeGoBroke
— RGB (@RGB_SF) December 1, 2018
Fallout 76 and Battlefield V already on sale? Guess shitting on customers pays out well! #getwokegobroke #ea #bethesda #fallout76 #battlefieldv
— Zeusexy (@Zeuseksy) November 28, 2018
Hey @EA! Down on @Battlefield V sales? Wondering what the root cause may have been? #getwokegobroke
“We stand up for the cause, because I think those people who don’t understand it, well, you have two choices: either accept it or don’t buy the game.” – Patrick Soderlund
— Dread Kaiser (@DreadKaiser) November 27, 2018
Battlefield V is currently on sale for $39.99 (regular price is $59.99), which includes free shipping:
Main Image Credit: EA/DICE, TechSpot