The use of Nazi imagery in video games has long been controversial. On one hand, featuring imagery like swastikas is necessary to be historically accurate, but on the other hand, these symbols can be offensive and in some cases, featuring them has even been illegal. It seems that the upcomingCall of Duty: Vanguardmay have found a middle ground, if some recently leaked information is to be believed.
Well-knownCall of Dutyleaker Tom Henderson said on Twitter that “there could be an option” for theCall of Duty: Vanguardcampaignto include swastikas or censor them by replacing them with the Iron Cross. If this is accurate, it would leave it up toCall of Duty: Vanguardplayers if they want to see this kind of Nazi imagery in the game or not. It’s unclear whether or not this option actually exists, but theCall of Duty: Vanguardrelease dateis right around the corner, so fans won’t have to wait long to find out for sure.
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The previousCall of Dutygame from Sledgehammer Games drummed up some controversy for not including Nazi imagery such as swastikas in its multiplayer mode. At the time, it was explained thatCall of Duty: WW2didn’t have Nazi imagerydue to cultural boundaries and so that the game wouldn’t be potentially banned in places like Germany.
However, Germany has since lifted its total ban on Nazi imagery in video games. This means that video games released in Germany can now show symbols like the swastika without fear of being banned from sale, though it is on a case by case basis. SinceCall of Duty: Vanguardis a game about a historical conflict, it seems like it would be able to get by with showing that kind of content, but it’s unclear exactgly how the German version of the game will look.
TheCall of Duty: Vanguardcampaign is unique in that while it’s partly set during World War 2, it also features an alternate history storyline.Call of Duty: Vanguardcharactersband together in the campaign to stop SS Oberst-Gruppenfuhrer Hermann Wenzel Freisinger, who is attempting to spearhead a Fourth Reich.
It will be interesting to see how it all plays out inCall of Duty: Vanguard. Apparently, the writerswantCall of Duty: Vanguardto be a trilogy, so one has to imagine that some things will be left slightly open-ended for sequels to explore.
Call of Duty: Vanguardlaunches November 5 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
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