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[Sioen]

Dice is a eu company and even about WW1 they put Americans first. You fucked up.

 

[Spring-Loaded]

Probably because they want to. I really don't care about the cover though, just as long as the game inside is good and not the typical BF campaign. At least the campaign in BF4 was so bad I couldn't play it without some serious help from beer.

I'm going to edit that post and put it in italics

 

[dragonelite]

No problem with Harlem Hellfighters being on the cover, but it would be cool to have country specific covers too as special editions or something. To the UK, Australia, NZ, Canada, France etc. who were in it from the start, WWI has a huge place in the 'national psyche'. Every one of these countries has a unique 'fighting man' legend associated with the great war, there's a lot of cool content they could make around this. Not to diminish their contribution - 2 million Americans fought in the war, but the US only formally entered the actual fighting in 1917, so to audiences outside of the US, America is not really associated with WWI.

I like this idea make soms more edition/covers dice, having US Soldier on the covers all the time becomes boring.

 

[akira28]

No problem with Harlem Hellfighters being on the cover, but it would be cool to have country specific covers too as special editions or something. To the UK, Australia, NZ, Canada, France etc. who were in it from the start, WWI has a huge place in the 'national psyche'. Every one of these countries has a unique 'fighting man' legend associated with the great war, there's a lot of cool content they could make around this. Not to diminish their contribution - 2 million Americans fought in the war, but the US only formally entered the actual fighting in 1917, so to audiences outside of the US, America is not really associated with WWI.

Hellfighters faught mainly for the French and are largely associated with them. The Americans still refused to fight with negro soldiers.

 

[Bitch Pudding]

Yeah how dare that American director and American actors telling a story about American troops in WWII only show the American side.

The same problem had Steiner - Cross of Iron or Das Boot....

 

[Walshicus]

Americans? In a Great War game??

More tea, Saladin?

 

[soundscream]

Hellfighters faught mainly for the French and are largely associated with them. The Americans still refused to fight with negro soldiers.

They even wore French helmets in combat. It could be argued their victories were more French than American.

 

[Alienfan]

Dice is a eu company and even about WW1 they put Americans first. You fucked up.

Seriously this thread might be one of the most disrespectful threads I've read in a long while. Regardless of their nationality, every solider equally gave up and sacrificed so much - we shouldn't be debating which lives were more important than others, and thus "deserve" the front cover. Furthermore there's nothing wrong with wanting to tell a specific story within WW1 - especially one that hasn't been properly told before. But even of you think this is American pandering the trailer has clearly shown they will be exploring other countries contributions to WW1

 

[Alienfan]

I like this idea make soms more edition/covers dice, having US Soldier on the covers all the time becomes boring.

EA do this with their sport games, so I could totally see them doing it for this if enough people ask for it!

 

[Mass One]

Hellfighters faught mainly for the French and are largely associated with them. The Americans still refused to fight with negro soldiers.

Yeah, in my history class the prof shed stressed that they were more French Soldiers then Americans. I guess mainly because the french treated them like people.

I really hope this thread gets shut down. It's been a absolutely disgraced. Everyone was in it no matter the country. Trying to argue who matters more and who deserves it more is a real shame.

 

[Leyasu]

Pandering to the U.S as a whole. They didn't arrive on the battlefields of Europe til late 17 early 18, and the war was concluded in nov.

Gotta make them more relevant in the game.

 

[Claude Augario]

Actually it's about ethics in national representation on Battlefield covers.

 

[NoPiece]

Yeah, in my history class the prof shed stressed that they were more French Soldiers then Americans. I guess mainly because the french treated them like people.

I really hope this thread gets shut down. It's been a absolutely disgraced. Everyone was in it no matter the country. Trying to argue who matters more and who deserves it more is a real shame.

I wouldn't give the French a pass on racism. During WWI they were still ruling over a huge brutal colonial empire in Africa, and drawing on (forcing?) their colonial subjects to fight back in Europe.

 

[Spring-Loaded]

Pandering to the U.S as a whole. They didn't arrive on the battlefields of Europe til late 17 early 18, and the war was concluded in nov.

Gotta make them more relevant in the game.

How much war do you have fight to get on the cover

 

[30yearsofhurt]

I just hope they represent other nationalities like Indians, Australians and New Zealanders.

 

[Mass One]

I wouldn't give the French a pass on racism. During WWI they were still ruling over a huge brutal colonial empire in Africa, and drawing on (forcing?) their colonial subjects to fight back in Europe.

Yeah, I'm not giving them a pass. I'm just referring to the black soldiers from America they took in. They without a doubt treated those men as equals. Edit: Or at least measurably better.

 

[Ampsicora]

I'd really like a Italian Cover with Alpini or Sassari Brigade or Arditi.
But even if not, I'm ok with Harlem Hellfighters. Also, I didn't knowed women actually have fought during the WW1 with the ottoman empire. Maybe it's time to study in depth the middle east campaign

 

[cripterion]

Sounds like the most diverse Battlefield yet. They have women soldiers too, everyone should be happy no?

 

[Spring-Loaded]

This is why you get forgettable white dudes on your cover. Put a black dude on there and suddenly people start to talk about cultural representation.

A white dude is just a dude. A black dude is black and must be pandering, only fought one year of this war and why is x country not on there even though this discussion didn't occur for wwII game covers

 

[Palculator]

A white dude is just a dude. A black dude is black and must be pandering, only fought one year of this war and why is x country not on there even though this discussion didn't occur for wwII game covers

If it was a white American I would've said the same.

 

[RoKKeR]

Campaign mode is likely going to be shit and instantly forgotten. Don't get worked up over the game being American-centric, it's made by them and is catered towards them. It wouldn't sell in America otherwise!

Regardless of the campaign quality, the game is 1) Made by a Swedish developer and 2) Is focusing on several characters from different countries across the various theaters of war. Obviously shooters are big in Western markets but it sounds like they are at least trying for a bit of diversity.

 

[Mass One]

If it was a white American I would've said the same.

If not for distinct uniform, how would you spot the difference between a white american and a white frenchmen or a white Australian or a white new zealander?

 

[Spring-Loaded]

If it was a white American I would've said the same.

Would VentureBeat have broached the subject with DICE in that instance, I wonder.

 

[SystemBug]

I wonder whether this has ever been brought up before this cover.

I personally haven't. But I was in middle school when I played my last WW game so I was also far too stupid to think of anything like that.

I have no issue with the character being black since many minorities that fought in WW1 aren't really represented in video games at all like Native Americans, Indians (under British rule), etc.

 

[Palculator]

Would VentureBeat have broached the subject with DICE in that instance, I wonder.

Probably not. And I don't think the cover having an American would be "significant" enough for me to make a thread either, mind you. I just thought it was peculiar because America's involvement is one of the last things I think about when I hear "World War 1."

If not for distinct uniform, how would you spot the difference between a white american and a white frenchmen or a white Australian or a white new zealander?

Not at all, I'd wager. But we don't need to swap skin colours for this, as when that initial Xbox store image leaked, I figured the black guy was someone drafted from the African colonies since both the French and the Brits liked to do that. This was wrong, though, we now know the facts. Not sure how relevant this is, though, even though some might share skin colour (the most superficial of traits) doesn't mean I consider them to be of the same people.

 

[SomeRandomWeirdGuy]

This is why you get forgettable white dudes on your cover. Put a black dude on there and suddenly people start to talk about cultural representation.

A white dude is just a dude. A black dude is black and must be pandering, only fought one year of this war and why is x country not on there even though this discussion didn't occur for wwII game covers

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.

Quoting myself from the first page. I don't see why it's wrong that we want countries that fought in the war from the beginning to be represented on the cover. You wouldn't put a Russian dude on a Pacific Theatre WW2 game would you? WWI is way more important to European countries than it is to America, so this rubs me the wrong way.

 

[Alienfan]

Sounds like the most diverse Battlefield yet. They have women soldiers too, everyone should be happy no?

You would think, but some people are more concerned about how the game is marketed than the actual diverse representation in the final product.

 

[StrawberryJam]

I had not heard of the Harlem Hellfighters before now. That is the coolest fucking name for anything ever. Excuse me while I start a punk band with that name. I may not get the game but thank you DICE for bringing the awesomeness of the Harlem Fucking Hellfighters to my attention.

 

[Mass One]

Quoting myself from the first page. I don't see why it's wrong that we want countries that fought in the war from the beginning to be represented on the cover. You wouldn't put a Russian dude on a Pacific Theatre WW2 game would you? WWI is way more important to European countries than it is to America, so this rubs me the wrong way.

If you look into the history those guys they were practically french. They were treated better they fought in french uniforms, eat their food, sleep together, fought together, died on french lands.
They are as french as any other french solider (outside of the skin color). If having a french solider on the cover is a problem, yeah i guess its a problem.

Probably not. And I don't think the cover having an American would be "significant" enough for me to make a thread either, mind you. I just thought it was peculiar because America's involvement is one of the last things I think about when I hear "World War 1."

Not at all, I'd wager. But we don't need to swap skin colours for this, as when that initial Xbox store image leaked, I figured the black guy was someone drafted from the African colonies since both the French and the Brits liked to do that. This was wrong, though, we now know the facts. Not sure how relevant this is, though, even though some might share skin colour (the most superficial of traits) doesn't mean I consider them to be of the same people.

If it's a nationality sure that's fine.

 

[CosmicQueso]

I had not heard of the Harlem Hellfighters before now. That is the coolest fucking name for anything ever. Excuse me while I start a punk band with that name. I may not get the game but thank you DICE for bringing the awesomeness of the Harlem Fucking Hellfighters to my attention.

I'm with you. What a way to bring attention to this time and these people.

And now I know the name Henry Johnson and will do my best to learn more about him and those he fought with.

 

[raphier]

Seriously this thread might be one of the most disrespectful threads I've read in a long while. Regardless of their nationality, every solider equally gave up and sacrificed so much - we shouldn't be debating which lives were more important than others, and thus "deserve" the front cover. Furthermore there's nothing wrong with wanting to tell a specific story within WW1 - especially one that hasn't been properly told before. But even of you think this is American pandering the trailer has clearly shown they will be exploring other countries contributions to WW1

Have you ever had a game where they shoot American soldiers? Every other nations gets killed by them, it's definitely pandering to the American love for their military.

Sounds like the most diverse Battlefield yet. They have women soldiers too, everyone should be happy no?

Usually I would agree, but when we start to change the history for the sake of diversity, I don't like the idea. I can accept a bedouin female warrior only if she is royalty like Boudicca or Mavia and not some random addition.

 

[Astrates]

I hadn't heard of the Harlem Hellfighters before this, I hope the game continues to shed light on lesser known groups. It's been a long time since I genuinely learnt something from a game and I'm excited at the prospect of that.

My main hope really though is that they do capture the horror of WWI. I have no doubt it will glorify it all too much to remove this horror and thus it won't make you think.

 

[Granadier]

DICE just shot themselves in the foot.

I don't know how much the rest of you know about WWI (I'm an expert), but honor and shame are huge parts of it. It's not like it is in WWII where you can become successful by being an asshole. If you screw someone over in WWI, you bring shame to yourself, and the only way to get rid of that shame is repentance.

What this means is the WWI veterans, after hearing about this, are not going to want to purchase Battlefield 1 for either system, nor will they purchase any of DICE's games. This is HUGE. You can laugh all you want, but DICE has alienated an entire market with this move.

DICE, publicly apologize and cancel Battlefield 1 or you can kiss your business goodbye.

Joke post?

They would be alienating all 0 of the living WWI veterans.

 

[kyser73]

Just before my 11th birthday in 1984 our school did a 70th anniversary assembly of the start of WW1. We learned songs like 'It's a Long Way to Tiperrary', 'Pack Up Your Troubles' and many others the troops sang.

We learned about the millions of young men of all classes and backgrounds, from across the UK and its Empire, who freely listed to come and fight for King & Country against the Germans.

We learned how those young men died of disease, of trench foot & frostbite turned gangrenous, or drowning in mud in their trenches during flash floods.

We learned about how many of them were court martialled and shot for cowardice or desertion while suffering from what we now know to be PTSD, then called shell shock, bought on by the near-ceaseless artillery bombardment followed by running across a mile of land at guys with machine guns.

We did taped interviews of veterans (many of whom were still alive back then) and the ones that stick out to me most then and now was the anger they still felt whenever we asked about the generals and politicians who didn't have a clue how to wage the kind of war they'd created, and then managed to fuck the peace up afterwards.

It doesn't matter who is on the front cover - the poor bastard would still probably have been a victim of Haig or Maginot's complete fucking idiocy in a war that destroyed s generation of men in Europe.

For a lighter version of this post I heartily recommend everyone watch the UK TV comedy 'Blackadder Goes Fourth' which takes the characters established in the three previous series into the trenches in WW1, and manages to combine purile humour with bathos and the most heartbreaking end to a comedy show ever.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IDQ1ljlnSjU

 

[MatrixMan.EXE]

Campaign mode is likely going to be shit and instantly forgotten. Don't get worked up over the game being American-centric, it's made by them and is catered towards them. It wouldn't sell in America otherwise!

DICE are not an American studio. They're Swedish. But yes, I think that the American representation should be left with the Harlem Hellfighters, since that's a really awesome look into WW1. Aside from that, I'd actually appreciate it if the game focuses on Britain, Australia, France etc. The real 'actors' in WW1. Making a game about WW1 and the focus being on American's just feels wrong, regardless of whether you're trying to make things sell.

 

[Palculator]

Joke post?

Yes.

 

[bobawesome]

Are people really making fun of that other guy's glorifying war disgusts me post from the other thread? really?

He has a good point (though he should extend it to all war games not just ww1 era )

Yes, because it was a shitty post. Most games about war glorify it and all wars are horrifying. It came across as a huge tantrum and attempted to "call out" fans of the game.

 

[NoPiece]

Quoting myself from the first page. I don't see why it's wrong that we want countries that fought in the war from the beginning to be represented on the cover. You wouldn't put a Russian dude on a Pacific Theatre WW2 game would you? WWI is way more important to European countries than it is to America, so this rubs me the wrong way.

Three things you should consider. First, any group that fought and died in the war is a valid cover subject. Second, Russians didn't fight in the pacific theater, so it is a poor analogy. Third, this is a case where a group of deserving African Americans get a rare chance in the spotlight, so even if it bugs you, maybe that should outweigh your concerns.

 

[anothertech]

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 if 9 of my 10 friends buy this, would that be a 90% conversion rate for soulless bastards, or just 9 out of 10 gamers ashamed of themselves? Help me out with this here.

 

[Lord Phol]

Couldn't care less about the gender or race of the boxart person, but I like how Dice is designing the game around the lesser known parts of the war. Should make things more diverse, exciting and refreshing.
Also this OP seems like it's trying to create a problem where there barely is none.

 

[docbon]

I'm confused. I thought the playable characters in the singleplayer campaign consist of multiple nationalities. Or are the complaints solely about the cover?

 

[TGO]

From Google

The Harlem Hellfighters were an African-American infantry unit in WWI who spent more time in combat than any other American unit. Despite their courage, sacrifice and dedication to their country, they returned home to face racism and segregation from their fellow countrymen.

I don't see the problem other then being American.

 

[Palculator]

Or are the complaints solely about the cover?

Pretty much, lol. Worth pointing out I don't think it's anger or anything, at least not on my part, just found it odd.

 

[Akainu]

But what about the stories of the millions of white people we don't have already?

 

[jesu]

The name, 'Harlem Hellfighters' sounds cool to me.
So I'm all for it

 

[nekkid]

Am I the only person who didn't even consider this to be worth bringing up until they read this thread?

I just presumed they were used because it sounds badass.

 

[raphier]

But what about the stories of the millions of white people we don't have already?

Who cares, let's get some Kraut influence.

 

[BrainZEROX]

It's a great idea to include the Hellfighters, whether we want it or not they are part of this history. Still I find it sad Dice forces the fantasy settings, I think it blurs the message here and steals the light these guys deserve. A more conservative approach may have been less fun for a video game but it would have been much more powerful.

 

[nekkid]

It's a great idea to include the Hellfighters, whether we want it or not they are part of this history. Still I find it sad Dice forces the fantasy settings, I think it blurs the message here and steals the light these guys deserve. A more conservative approach may have been less fun for a video game but it would have been much more powerful.

I don't think they have much choice, to be honest. Battlefield needs a level of fantasy, otherwise it becomes ARMA.

 

[jakonovski]

I bet in game the Hellfighters will be fighting side by side with white Americans.