Dear Battlefront.com

[themaltese]

I've been MIA for a little while, and have apparently missed a great deal of crap that was slung at you just because of a select group of ignorant and arrogant individuals. I'll understand if you immediately lock this thread, but I just wanted to say something to all those individuals that have questioned your integrity over handling the matter of selling a "censored" CMBO in Europe.

First, let me qualify myself by stating that I travel a lot for work reasons between the U.S., the U.K., Germany, and Italy. I am the son of an Italian mother and a German father who were little kids during the war, and still talk about both the hardships they endured and some positive little things (like when my mother tasted chocolate for the first time compliments of a friendly American soldier). I like WWII history as a hobby, and take every opportunity to visit the battlefields and memorials in Europe, with Normandy being my favorite.

With that said, I believe that CMBO is an AWESOME game, and play it whenever I get a chance (like on the long flights). I have had some people look at me kind of funny when they observe what's on my laptop display, but I could care less. If someone says anything negative, I usually respond, "I'm American. It's a game. It's on my computer. It's none of your business." Yet, I understand where some people may have a problem with seeing a Tiger take-out a couple of Shermans and then proceeding to gun-down the crews. I understand that that's the way it was in war, but in the context of a game (albeit a game that is VERY realistic), I understand that it's a gross simplification of the true horror of war.

People that cannot understand why Germany strictly avoids anything promoting Nazism, lack perspective. What Germany implements in its laws is akin to a strict form of U.S. political correctness. In other words, what some people may argue is political correctness in the U.S. (and not a legal issue), is viewed as a legal issue in Germany. Imagine the uproar here in the U.S. if CMBO incorporated infantry units of black soldiers with a label such as "U.S. Nigger team" attached? Could it be done? Yes, legally, but would it be politically correct? Would it be historically correct? How about placing some concentration camps in the game with incinerators and the whole works, and then having the ability to incinerate prisoners in the command phase of the game? Would this be politically correct? Would it be historically correct? Germany has a small problem with neo-nazism, similar to how the U.S. has a small problem with racism. Add to this that Nazism (which incorporates racism) was the foundation upon which a terrible war erupted in Europe, and that racism was the foundation upon which a civil war was fought here in the U.S., and I hope it becomes clear the parallel that can be drawn.

Germany learned its lesson in WWII, and is striving not to repeat a terrible mistake. The power of words, symbols, and icons has long been known both in inspirational/instigational and associative terms. Here in the U.S., a major fuss erupted over flying a confederate flag because the flag is associated to slavery. Some people argue that that's ridiculous, and some people argue that that's fact. The result, of course, no more confederate flag flying over a certain government building. Now, multiply the "effect" of a confederate flag by about 100 or so, and you have the effect of a Swastika embedded in a flying flag. The Swastika is associated to Nazism, which in turn is associated to the immense number of Jews that were killed in the most terrible manner imaginable.

So, where is the lack of business sense in adapting to a foreign market? I see no lack of business sense in Battlefront.com's actions. Those that are screaming "sell-out" or "a name change takes away from the realism of the game" are lost between what is in a game and what was/is real life. Those of you that really feel that it is mandatory to use a Swastika or SS to exude realism, will more than likely also be the ones that would incorporate "U.S. Nigger team". If you want to use such names and symbols, fine; but do not tell Battlefront.com that they are doing wrong by adapting to a foreign market.

In conclusion, I personally draw a clear-cut distinction between what was German army and what were Nazis. Most German soldiers and generals fought a clean war (as evidenced by Rommel and Guderian). They fought out of being soldiers for their country, and not out of the hatred-fueled fires of Nazism. In the September 2002 issue of WWII Magazine, there is the last interview conducted with the ace-of-aces, the German pilot Erich Hartmann. In the interview, he was asked why it was that he did not hate the Russians for what he had endured at their hands while imprisoned. His response,

One thing I learned is this: Never allow yourself to hate a people because of the actions of a few. Hatred and bigoty destroyed my nation, and millions died. I would hope that most people did not hate Germans because of the Nazis, or Americans because of slaves. Never hate, it only eats you alive. Keep an open mind and always look for the good in people. You may be surprised at what you find.

That, ladies and gentlemen, directly from the mouth a German that learned the lesson that Germany now struggles to abide by in its "ridiculous" laws.

Keep up the good work guys, and I look forward to ordering and playing CMBB.

[Ales Dvorak]

Hmm, nice Status Quo, but I'm from E Europe.

[Ales Dvorak]

Originally posted by themaltese:

I personally draw a clear-cut distinction between what was German army and what were Nazis.

Yes, You are right!

[aka_tom_w]

"People that cannot understand why Germany strictly avoids anything promoting Nazism, lack

perspective. What Germany implements in its laws is akin to a strict form of U.S. political correctness.

In other words, what some people may argue is political correctness in the U.S. (and not a legal

issue), is viewed as a legal issue in Germany."

That was probably one of the most mature, well balanced and accurate posts I have read on this forum.

I wonder if any here have the temerity to disagree with it.

It was a great post and welcome insight into this whole CMBB Messy European Distribution flap.

Thanks, for the words of wisdom and the balanced approach to the post, the "distribution flap" is largely behind us now but that post should live on in the our hearts and minds and I can see why Steve and BFC may want to quote it in the future.

Thanks again..

-tom w

[Madmatt]

Okay, I think everything about this topic that can be said HAS been said.

Madmatt