Encouragement
Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2021 8:35 pm
I was still on active duty in the Marines the first time this game was announced and I was so pleased to hear that it's back. I just wanted to take some time to express my hopefulness for this game and to give some positive encouragement to the dev team (especially with all the crap press I see the game getting again).
I only served for four years and never saw heavy combat, but I have always respected the hell out of every soldier, sailor, airmen, and Marine that was involved in the fight for Fallujah. I have no doubt that your team is doing everything it can to honor these people, their sacrifices, and their stories.
I know many people in the media and game industry are already writing this game off as propaganda or some glorification of warfare, but I want you all to know that there are many of us who are truly grateful that these stories are going to be told. I know that no form of media can truly capture warfare in its entirety; that a game like this may not tackle the kinds of big questions about should we be here or what the rules of warfare are. I also don't think most individual service members think about these things during actual combat. I'm reminded of a quote from the movie Black Hawk Down,
"When I go home people'll ask me, "Hey Hoot, why do you do it man? What, you some kinda war junkie?" You know what I'll say? I won't say a goddamn word. Why? They won't understand...it's about the men next to you, and that's it."
From everything I have seen it seems your focus is on these individuals and their stories and I cannot wait to see it at its completion. Take all the time you need to get it right and I'm sure this community will be here to support you 110%. I wish you all the best in your endeavors.
Semper Fi,
Cpl. Ward ('07-'11)
I only served for four years and never saw heavy combat, but I have always respected the hell out of every soldier, sailor, airmen, and Marine that was involved in the fight for Fallujah. I have no doubt that your team is doing everything it can to honor these people, their sacrifices, and their stories.
I know many people in the media and game industry are already writing this game off as propaganda or some glorification of warfare, but I want you all to know that there are many of us who are truly grateful that these stories are going to be told. I know that no form of media can truly capture warfare in its entirety; that a game like this may not tackle the kinds of big questions about should we be here or what the rules of warfare are. I also don't think most individual service members think about these things during actual combat. I'm reminded of a quote from the movie Black Hawk Down,
"When I go home people'll ask me, "Hey Hoot, why do you do it man? What, you some kinda war junkie?" You know what I'll say? I won't say a goddamn word. Why? They won't understand...it's about the men next to you, and that's it."
From everything I have seen it seems your focus is on these individuals and their stories and I cannot wait to see it at its completion. Take all the time you need to get it right and I'm sure this community will be here to support you 110%. I wish you all the best in your endeavors.
Semper Fi,
Cpl. Ward ('07-'11)