EA on Women in Battlefield V: Haters Can Either "Accept it or Don't Buy the Game"
EA's chief creative officer has strong words for anyone bothered by the presence of women in Battlefield V.
The backlash against the appearance of women soldiers in Battlefield V's preview materials is "not okay," EA's chief creative officer Patrick Soderlund told Gamasutra in an interview at E3 2018. Sonderlund added anyone who's disturbed by the women's presence is welcome not to buy the game.
Women characters are playing a large role in promoting Battlefield V, and one even decorates the game's box art. There's been some backlash on social media about EA caving to "political correctness" at the expense of "historical accuracy" in a franchise makes it possible for four of your friends to pile on a single horse and blast through the First World War with a flamethrower.
"Battlefield V is a lot about the unseen, the untold, the unplayed," Sonderlund said to Gamasutra. "The common perception is that there were no women in World War II. There were a ton of women who both fought in World War II and partook in the war."
Women indeed fought in the Second World War, and Soviet women were particularly active in combat. But outside of commentary about historical accuracy or inaccuracy, Sonderlund is just disappointed to see a pushback against the inclusion of women combatants in Battlefield V.
"[My 13-year-old daughter] plays Fortnite, and says, 'I can be a girl in Fortnite. Why are people so upset about this?' She looked at me and she couldn't understand it," Sonderlund said. "And I'm like, ok, as a parent, how the hell am I gonna respond to this, and I just said, 'You know what? You're right. This is not okay.'"
"[T]oday gaming is gender-diverse, like it hasn't been before. There are a lot of female people who want to play, and male players who want to play as a badass [woman]," Sonderlund continued. "We stand up for the cause, because I think those people who don't understand it, well, you have two choices: either accept it or don't buy the game. I'm fine with either or. It's just not ok."
Regardless of how you feel about ladies in combat, our Battlefield V guide has everything you need to know about the game. Battlefield V comes out on October 19 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
Read this next
Apex Legends Isn't a Threat to Battlefield 5, EA Says
This town is big enough for the two of us.
By Matt Kim4
EA and Take-Two: A Tale of Two Holiday Seasons
EA Says Not Having Battle Royale Hurt Battlefield 5's Sales
4
Battlefield 5 is Getting a New Mode and Challenges Starting This Week
Fallout 76 Digital Sales Down Nearly 50 Percent Compared to Fallout 4's Launch
2
More News
PlanetSide Arena Delayed to Summer 2019
Daybreak wants to launch PlanetSide Arena for both PC and PS4 at the same time.
By Matt Kim1
Lickitung is in Detective Pikachu and the Internet Has Thoughts
The internet reacts to the latest Detective Pikachu Pokemon.
By Matt Kim4
Activision Blizzard, Where Massive Layoffs Are a First Resort
THIS WEEK IN THE BUSINESS | Bobby Kotick's reputation takes another hit, Sony acknowledges its hubris, and skipping Steam is paying off for The Division
By Brendan Sinclair2
The Apex Legends Players Who Are Using the Ping System to Overcome Disability and Anxiety Share Their Stories
Respawn may have figured out online communication.
By Matt Kim3
More on PC
Anthem Review: Our Thoughts After the First Eight Hours
BioWare has delivered its Anthem, but the beginning is a rough one.
By Mike Williams2
What Are You Playing This Weekend?
29
PlanetSide Arena Delayed to Summer 2019
1
The Apex Legends Players Who Are Using the Ping System to Overcome Disability and Anxiety Share Their Stories
3
Artists Suing Over Fortnite Emotes Just Suffered Some Big Setbacks