Video Game Controversy Is Good for Innovative Games, Says EA

Electronic Arts has been blamed for including Taliban in Medal of Honor, for creating ads starring horrified moms for Dead Space 2 and for the level of violence and sexual innuendo included in Bullestorm, but at least one company executive believes that this is a good thing for the games and the company.

Frank Gibeau, who is the leader of the EA Games brand, told Industry Gamers that, “Controversy isn’t a bad thing. I personally believe you should court controversy.”

He added, “You should do it in a way that matches the creative integrity of the game. You shouldn’t do it in a gratuitous way, but if it matches the creativity of the game… I loved it when Fox News did the lesbian aliens on Mass Effect. I love when they covered the Taliban; I loved it when they covered the Bulletstorm stuff.”

Gibeau is not praising the media for distorting the facts about Electronic Arts video games, but for the fact that it highlights the risks that the video game publisher is ready to take in order to deliver an experience that feels new and exciting to the gamer.

The Electronic Arts executive says that the company should not bow down to the demands of the media and should be proud of what its developers have created and defend their games against accusations that are not true or exaggerated.

Fox News implied that Bulletstorm could be seen as promoting sexual aggression, in addition to delivering a level of violence that is unsuited for children, but the television channel quoted names of skill shots out of context in order to make its argument, failing to show a clear connection between the game and any actual real-life violent acts.

Bulletstorm does have a lot of gratuitous swearing and violence, but it's a pure, fun shooter that does not have a hidden agenda.