Controversy Over Females in Call of Duty: WWII
The Call of Duty franchise is going back to its roots of World War II, but this time with women in mind.
Call of Duty: WWII multiplayer will feature female soldiers, a welcome implementation first seen in Call of Duty: Ghosts. The announcement was very underplayed, revealed in Sledgehammer Games’ co-founder, Michael Condrey’s Twitter response to a fan:
@indy8818 Yes, for sure!
— Michael Condrey (@MichaelCondrey) April 30, 2017
But oh, you should look at the responses that follow. Almost everyone below Condrey’s comment has weighed in on how female soldiers in a World War II timeline is historically inaccurate. Then the conversation turns caustic with tirades from maniacs about pandering to social justice warriors. But hey, that’s the Internet for you!
The great debate is sparked: women were a major part of World War II in the French Resistance and on the Russian Front, but not so much in the U.S. Army on the front lines. Is it historically accurate to have U.S. female soldiers in Call of Duty: WWII? Is this a debate about single player narrative, or just multiplayer? There seems to be a fair amount of middle-ground for women and men to be characters in this game, and certainly in multiplayer. Like, you’re blitzing by a million things with a 5-second life span. Are you taking in all the historical accuracy while doing that sick no-scope 360-degree snapshot triple kill?
Condrey had previously confirmed that at least one woman would be a playable protagonist within the campaign, as well. It would be great (and really put these maniacs in their place) if the female protagonist was Lyudmila Pavlichenko, the female sniper that had 309 confirmed kills during the war. She was also a major factor in getting the U.S. involved in the war to begin with! Without her, we might be playing Call of Duty: Sit It Out.
The full reveal of multiplayer in Call of Duty: WWII won’t be until June. Can’t wait to watch this controversy bubble for another two months over a “Yes, for sure!” Condrey answer.