On DICE's motive behind featuring the Harlem Hellfighters in BF1 [Added DICE Comment]

Interficium said:
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.
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Damn memes!
 
As if they would use a African American to pander to the part of the American audience that require pandering. The segment of American audience that require an American hero to appreciate media, would be the ones I expect to be most up in arms about the cover choice.
 
All characters should be 35-ish year old white males, bald or short brown hair, grim demeanor, leather jackets. Doesn't even matter that it's WWI. Just have every character like that charging through trenches.

Seriously though, it's cool they're doing this. It was a world war, people of all kinds fought in it.

Edit: great video: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/world-war-i-history/videos/the-harlem-hellfighters

One of them, Henry Johnson, was basically Captain America. Fought off a German raid with a defective rifle like a club and a knife. Comes home and can't work from his injuries and died penniless.
 
I can't believe that the choice of person on the cover is such a hot topic for some of you here. It really doesn't matter, if the game plays well then great. I think it's a great idea to feature some of the lesser known parts of that war. Originality is a very good in gaming, especially for a franchise like Battlefield.
 
No minority representation: "jeez where are all the minorities? Devs are so racist these days, when are things going to change?"

Minorities are thoroughly represented: "why did they feature minorities so prominently? What is their motive behind this?"
 
Respawn said:
Hey to the haters
size2.jpg

Deal with it. It's done.
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Are there haters!? Honest question! Are there people complaining about the race of a prominent character representation?
 
This thread is the first time I heard if the Harlem hell fighters.

How long were there Americans in the war anyway? Like a couple of months?
 
The1Ski said:
Are there haters!? Honest question! Are there people complaining about the race of a prominent character representation?
Click to expand...

You really have to ask?

Of course there will be haters

Aside from the obvious mad racists out and about there are going to be plenty of diet racists out there wringing their hands because oh well its just not realistic to have a WW1 game with black characters because....

Or dismissing the game as SJW pandering because.....

Or oh I would buy the game but I just don't think he will be a well written character....

I mean there were people complaining that the Assault class in BF4 (or 3 I forget) was black.
 
RX-78-2 said:
Yes, people were skirting around the topic in the reveal thread for sure.
Click to expand...

Wow. So I guess every time a prominent character in any form of creative media is not a white male it needs to be discussed. I can't help but feel like there's more interesting/important things to have a conversation about...
 
Hermii said:
This thread is the first time I heard if the Harlem hell fighters.

How long were there Americans in the war anyway? Like a couple of months?
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19 months. But the first few months were spent training for the equipment in use on the battlefield and such.

The Hell fighters actually spent longer than most, if not all, other units on the front lines. They were placed under French command and the French left their units out on the front lines longer than was normal. I think they ended up spending 6 consecutive months on the front. In many photos you'll see the Hellfighters in US uniforms, but wearing French helmets.
 
Interficium said:
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.
Click to expand...

Well, call me an ignorant, soulless, bastard. I am gonna buy the SHIT out of this game
 
I really don't understand why this is a problem; African Americans fought and died in the war, as did Indian Gurkha and Arabs. Though it's be cool if there were different covers for each protagonist.

Hermii said:
This thread is the first time I heard if the Harlem hell fighters.

How long were there Americans in the war anyway? Like a couple of months?
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About 6 months or so of ground operations, but it was critical to winning the war as Germany was conducting large scale offensives meant to break the Entente as late as Spring 1918.
 
Deadbeat said:
I dont like that its a generic black man on the cover. I want chalky white.
Click to expand...

The black man is acceptable to me.

I just wish he was bald space marine style, woefully underused :(
ScherzoPrime said:
I really don't understand why this is a problem; African Americans fought and died in the war, as did Indian Gurkha and Arabs. Though it's be cool if there were different covers for each protagonist.



About 6 months or so of ground operations, but it was critical to winning the war as Germany was conducting large scale offensives meant to break the Entente as late as Spring 1918.
Click to expand...

The British even had massive Sikh and Hindu regiments from India in WW1.

WW1 is a lot bigger than people realize. And much more diverse.
 
Unit 33 said:
Looks pretty good, other than the distracting and distorted cover of 7 Nation Army.
I'm glad it's taking a look at the many sides involved in the conflict rather than just UK/US vs Germany.
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France was the main German antagonist and the major allied force.
 
Berto said:
France was the main German antagonist and the major allied force.
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Eh, wasn't the BEF co-equal to the French? Like I think a lot of French forces were in the South and East like near Metz, whereas the British were in Belgium, which was the primary axis of assault.
 
It's obviously pandering, but it looks like top-notch pandering to a group that doesn't get pandered to, so I don't see what the problem is.
 
Interficium said:
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.
Click to expand...

danmadc2kzp.gif
 
Interficium said:
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.
Click to expand...
LOL, Brilliant, I see a great future for this, is going to be great!

For those poster who are not getting it, this is a meme post made over from this original post:

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=202835289&postcount=1330
 
Interficium said:
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.
Click to expand...

A new low! You missed the opportunity to just...not say anything.
 
ScherzoPrime said:
Eh, wasn't the BEF co-equal to the French? Like I think a lot of French forces were in the South and East like near Metz, whereas the British were in Belgium, which was the primary axis of assault.
Click to expand...

Yes but the French had more divisions overall than the British. French losses were quite a bit worse than British during the war which makes sense since the western front was of course fought in France.

I really hope that they have all the different nations represented. While WW1 as a nation building moment for Canada, especially Vimy Ridge can be a bit over blown, the war is still so important for all the former British colonies at the time (Canada, Aus/Nz, South Africa) in bringing about foreign independence and national identity.
 
Interficium said:
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.
Click to expand...


well thats great that YOU know all about it. You do realize that most people dont, right? this could be the best way of spreading the stories of WW1 honestly.
 
Spl1nter said:
Yes but the French had more divisions overall than the British. French losses were quite a bit worse than British during the war which makes sense since the western front was of course fought in France.

I really hope that they have all the different nations represented. While WW1 as a nation building moment for Canada, especially Vimy Ridge can be a bit over blown, the war is still so important for all the former British colonies at the time (Canada, Aus/Nz, South Africa) in bringing about foreign independence and national identity.
Click to expand...

Well Galipoli is almost certainly in it so we'll get ANZAC forces for sure, as well as Turks and Arabs.
 
Tbh I just want more countries represented in games which I hope this does.

I'm sick of playing as stereotypical American Ho-Rah we are the best dudes.

America was barely in the First World War, and came in at the end of the Second World War, albeit with a large influence.

I want games where I play as Russians or the British or French, not limited but including, storming Normandy or the battle of Stalingrad and such like.
 
Nosgotham said:
well thats great that YOU know all about it. You do realize that most people dont, right? this could be the best way of spreading the stories of WW1 honestly.
Click to expand...

Interficium was just making a joke by repeating something that was said by another poster yesterday. He's not actually serious.
 
good choice. personally, i had no clue about the harlem hellfighters so i guess that's a history lesson for me. i don't care if it's a black or white person on the cover. that's irrelevant.

i won't be buying the game but good on DICE for picking something not a lot of people might know about.
 
I don't get what the problem is, if anything it makes it more interesting.

What is disappointing is that we are talking about DLC and the sigle player campaign will likely suck anyway.
 
Souldestroyer Reborn said:
Tbh I just want more countries represented in games which I hope this does.

I'm sick of playing as stereotypical American Ho-Rah we are the best dudes.

America was barely in the First World War, and came in at the end of the Second World War, albeit with a large influence.

I want games where I play as Russians or the British or French, not limited but including, storming Normandy or the battle of Stalingrad and such like.
Click to expand...
Well the trailer shows you that their will be different protagonists and characters playable. Let me link you
 
RX-78-2 said:
Yes, people were skirting around the topic in the reveal thread for sure.
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No, they weren't. I checked the entire thread for mentions of the black protagonist. They were celebrating the decision. Check for yourself:

SuperSah said:
Okay so.

1) This shits all over CoD for me, I simply love the game's theme.

2) Boxart is rad and finally a black male on the front of it, hoorah!
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george_us said:
Not into WW1/WW2 shooters but it's nice to see a black man on the cover for a change.
Click to expand...

Deadbeat said:
For the American campaign episode whatevermajig playing as a black dude would work since the Harlam guys fought way more battles than any other americans. They could 'massage' the history and have the guy fight in tons of different fronts.
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Nudull said:
I love it. Black soldiers in those times rarely get the attention or respect they deserve. This was a smart move to help make the game stand out.
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Darkangel said:
Ya, it's cool that the Harlem Hellfighters are getting recognition, but America was hardly in the first world war.
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Bolivar687 said:
Man, no one else in AAA right now has the balls to make a WWI game, or put a black protagonist on a cover. And DICE just did both.
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TheGreatDirector said:
Such a nice change of pace from more futuristic shooters we've been seeing lately and the lack of diverse characters in them.

Once I get that Red Baron Pack, I'll be ready for the dogfights in the air.

giphy.gif
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The only weirdly dismissive posts were from Asd202:
Asd202 said:
It's weird they choose a black person for the cover for a WW I setting. They were some black soldiers but they were like the vast minority.
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Black Mantis said:
Educate yourself, there's a great story in there.

http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/world-war-i-history/videos/the-harlem-hellfighters
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JCreasy said:
tumblr_noq4ifBxaa1t62gyeo2_400.gif


Maybe the plan is to tell the story of some these soldiers so that people like us can learn about their valuable contribution. Just a thought.
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Anton Sugar said:
Aside from this possibly being one of the main characters in the SP: ugh, really? What kind of weird reasoning is "the majority should be the representation"?
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And Lead:
Lead said:
Historically it makes extremely little sense to give them such a prominent role.

Nowadays politically I guess it's all the rage.

America entered the war when it was basically over, the vast majority of the fighting force was white Europeans and descendants of Europeans.
Click to expand...

Lead said:
I was responding directly to the guy that said he was happy to see black represented, when the facts are that millions upon millions of white Europeans died in the trenches, not black Americans that entered the war when it was pretty much over.
Click to expand...

RichiRamjag said:
It isn't common in games. Folks are going to be happy to see SOME representation at all. It's multiple characters anyhow. You won't have to deal with it for long if it bothers you.
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RichiRamjag said:
And those soldiers get shown quite a bit. I can't remember a World War game without a white character. It's already been said that the game shows other characters, yet here you are going on about how insignificant 1500 lives are. Perhaps they're not the right color. They certainly weren't then. Heaven fucking forbid some black guys get shown in a game for once.
Click to expand...
 
Any reasoning behind the games name? Dice seems to have an avenue of names they could pursue. Hardline 2, Bad Company 3, Battlefield 5 etc.
 
Felix Lighter said:
As if they would use a African American to pander to the part of the American audience that require pandering. The segment of American audience that require an American hero to appreciate media, would be the ones I expect to be most up in arms about the cover choice.
Click to expand...

Yup. Its not about a black guy, more like: is he a french black guy or a iuesèi black guy? I genuinely thought for a second that he was the former. As if a videogame war tale could not revolve around the americans saving the day.
 
The should redo a pearl harbor game and put a British Indian on the front cover, that would be so much more representative of the going-ons in than conflict than this depiction of WW1, Crazy.
 
nillah said:
Any reasoning behind the games name? Dice seems to have an avenue of names they could pursue. Hardline 2, Bad Company 3, Battlefield 5 etc.
Click to expand...
I think it's because it's World War "1", and before any of the other BF games (none of which have ever been called BF1 or anything like that). That's my best guess.
 
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