Video games are usually the center of controversy. Especially when it comes to highly debated topics like gun control and the promotion of violence in children (Cue head shaking.) EA’s latest in the Battlefield series, Battlefield: Hardline invites controversy with its militarized police versus criminals focus. Even more so after last summer’s real life showdown between law enforcement and protesters following the shooting and killing of Mike Brown at the hands of a police officer. Because of the events in Ferguson, EA has made some changes to its game.
Despite its timing with real-life events, Hardline—announced in June, right before the events in Ferguson—is based in fiction says executive producer, Steve Papoutsis:
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Papoutsis said Ferguson helped game producers reconsider to make sure there was no room for misunderstanding. He said there was an emphasis placed on “non-lethal takedowns,” like arresting people (as police or SWAT) without needing to kill them.
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Battlefield: Hardline will be released March 17.
[via Re/code]