Once in a while, a developer draws flak for releasing an insensitive trailer or final product. This is not one of those instances. For those who do not follow the gaming scene, "Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus" is set to come out later this month. In preparation for the upcoming release date, Bethesda started marketing the game properly and released a new trailer entitled "No More Nazis."
What the publisher was not prepared for was the backlash received from a vocal minority. Bethesda was criticized for wishing violence on a group with a different political view.
History
"Wolfenstein" has been around since the mid-1980s, with the story always revolving around killing Nazis. It is not something new and this is the first time there was a negative reaction.
This was not a random individual either, as Bethesda actually had to release a statement in response to the outrage. Marketing boss Pete Hines published a statement on gamesindustry.biz expressing disbelief at the situation and that it is "disturbing that Wolfenstein can be considered a controversial political statement."
The story behind "Wolfenstein" is that the Nazis won World War II, resulting in a very different future. The plot of the game follows a small resistance force in America who are trying to break free from the shackles of the Third Reich.
Hines explains that the idea "of #NoMoreNazis in America is, in fact, what the entire game (and franchise) is about."
Current world affairs
The trailer and marketing campaign for "Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus" has been seen as a commentary on the current political scene, something which Hines does not quite understand. "Bethesda doesn't develop games to make specific statements or incite political discussions," expressed the marketing boss.
While some games do tackle real-world issues, "Wolfenstein" is not one of those franchises. The marketing is completely based on the world created within this fictionalized universe and fits the narrative being told by the developer. "Wolfenstein: The New Order" came out in 2014 but did not face a similar backlash, despite offering the same type of story.
While this might just a coincidence, it could also serve as a sign that public perception for certain political views has shifted.
"Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus" will be available to buy from October 27 for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows.