One would think that after twenty years of obliterating Nazi scum in their “Wolfenstein” franchise, few would be surprised that in their update, Wolfenstein II, due out October 27th (just in time for Halloween) Bethesda SoftWorks would stick to their tried and true Anti-Nazi stance.
Especially as the berserkers have taken over America in this latest iteration, leading to dystopian images like the above where an SS Officer casually defiles a classic American malt shop with his leather clad vileness.
Now, the popularity of uber-violent video games merits a vigorous discussion in it’s own right, which you are welcome to pursue in the comments. I myself have never indulged, my singular dissent into video game obsession being a rousing if infrequent five year competition with my nephew to see who could first break fifty-five at the virtual Sawgrass TPC in Tiger Woods Golf.
But the main thrust of this diary will be the bruised tender sensibilities and plaintive wails of delicate Neo-facists at Bethesda’s co-opting drumpf’s campaign slogan, transforming the errant and stupid “Make America Great Again” mantra into the more sensical and useful “Make America Nazi-Free Again” - and Bethesda SoftWorks VP for PR and Marketing, Pete Hine’s, eminently sensible (see, I do know the word) response to them.
These Goth Ms. Gristle’s tweets will suffice to represent the discussion taking place about the game on twitter:
50 shades of PoMo, while distaining irony, chastises “Wolfenstein’s” developers by posting:
“Wow, what a clever marketing trick: tapping into the hysterical leftist power fantasy. So current. So subtly political. Wow. Go fuck yourselves.”
To which the Goth one replies that that is what “Wolfenstein, not to mention Stalingrad, has always been about, and drolly adds……
The above mentioned Mr. Hines explains slowly and in more depth in the linked article.
"We're certainly aware of current events in America and how they relate to some of the themes in Wolfenstein 2," Hines said. "Wolfenstein has been a decidedly anti-Nazi series since the first release more than 20 years ago. We aren't going to shy away from what the game is about. We don't feel it's a reach for us to say Nazis are bad and un-American, and we're not worried about being on the right side of history here.”
"At the time none of us expected that the game would be seen as a comment on current issues, but here we are," Hines continued. "Bethesda doesn't develop games to make specific statements or incite political discussions. We make games that we think are fun, meaningful, and immersive for a mature audience."
Hines then touched upon the events of Charlottesville, which saw a group of white supremacists and nationalists marching through the city with torches, ultimately leading to the murder of a counter-protester. "In Wolfenstein's case, it's pure coincidence that Nazis are marching in the streets of America this year," he concluded. "And it's disturbing that the game can be considered a controversial political statement at all."
In short: Get over it snowflakes killing Nazis is here to stay.
And no wonder:
Schnitzel rather than chili and hamburgers?
I think not.
Should have blasted der fuck-face at “One strawberry milkshake, please.”