The Wolfenstein franchise has been taking on Nazis since the release of Castle Wolfenstein in 1981. You could say, fighting Nazis is a staple for the franchise. The latest advertisements for the upcoming addition to the series, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, has become somewhat of a political hot topic with the slogan 'Make America Nazi-Free Again' and the hashtag 'No More Nazis.'
The slogan and hashtag work for the game as it is A.) set in America and B.) about fighting Nazis in an alternate reality where Nazis actually won WWII and occupied America. However much the marketing is about the game, the alt-right and neo-nazis have declared that the game is taking a stand against them.
Pete Hines, the Vice President of PR and marketing at Bethesda has released an explanation on the marketing approach, saying they are 'aware of current events in America' and how they can 'relate to some of the themes' in Wolfenstein II. Ultimately, Hines says that Bethesda doesn't develop games to make political statements, but does not that it is 'disturbing' that the game be considered a political statement at all.
Here are the statements Hines made to GIBIZ:
"We're certainly aware of current events in America and how they relate to some of the themes in Wolfenstein II.
"Wolfenstein has been a decidedly anti-Nazi series since the first release more than 20 years ago. We aren't going to shy away from what the game is about. We don't feel it's a reach for us to say Nazis are bad and un-American, and we're not worried about being on the right side of history here.
"[In the game] freeing America is the first step to freeing the world. So the idea of #NoMoreNazis in America is, in fact, what the entire game (and franchise) is about. Our campaign leans into that sentiment, and it, unfortunately, happens to highlight current events in the real world.
"At the time none of us expected that the game would be seen as a comment on current issues, but here we are. Bethesda doesn't develop games to make specific statements or incite political discussions. We make games that we think are fun, meaningful, and immersive for a mature audience.
"In Wolfenstein's case, it's pure coincidence that Nazis are marching in the streets of America this year. And it's disturbing that the game can be considered a controversial political statement at all.
"This is what our game is about. It's what this franchise has always been about. We aren't afraid to embrace what BJ stands for and what Wolfenstein represents. When it comes to Nazis, you can put us down in the 'against' column.
"We can't speak to what other publishers choose to do and say with their games. As we've said many times before, fighting Nazis has been the core of Wolfenstein games for decades, and it isn't really debatable that Nazis are, as Henry Jones Sr. said, 'the slime of humanity.' Certainly there's a risk of alienating some customers, but to be honest, people who are against freeing the world from the hate and murder of a Nazi regime probably aren't interested in playing Wolfenstein."
All in all, Wolfenstein II is about ridding the world of Nazis and it's a shame that we are still having a conversation about whether or not Nazis are bad 72 years after WWII ended.
Wolfenstein II is set to release on October 27th for the Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One and PC.
