War games trivialize the plight of soldiers? Not so, says Hank Keirsey, military vet and advisor for the Call of Duty franchise.
Some may suggest that putting gamers in the middle of virtual battle against Nazis and other unsavory types cheapens the idea of self-sacrifice that goes along with serving in the real-life military. But in a phone interview with Next-Gen, Keirsey, whose military experience includes Panama and the Gulf War, argues that well-made realistic war games actually help the gaming pubic understand the hardships as well as the positives of being in the service.


“I think it draws some awareness to the issue, and in the case of World War II games, I think it taught history,” Keirsey believes. “There are kids who would never have any interest in what their great-grandfathers did before they died, but they’re compelled to get on the phone and say, ‘Dad or granddad or great-granddad, I just played this game. I’ve talked to my mom and she said you were in that fight somewhere. What weapon did you carry? A Thompson?'”

Keirsey has offered his experience to Call of Duty publisher Activision as a military advisor since the first entry in the series, which released in 2003 on PC. Other sequels and console spin-offs have helped propel the franchise to major success, and with this week’s Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, developed by Infinity Ward, the franchise will move from its original World War II setting into modern times.

“I actually was reluctant to shift from [the WWII setting] just because I like talking to those [old vets],” admits Keirsey. “But when I went back and saw what we’ve done with [COD4], I think it transfers some of that respect to the kids, the girls, guys—mostly guys—that are out there [in the service] today. So I feel good about it.”



News-Source: Next-Gen