Recently, I attended Electronic Arts’ “Spring” into Spring event and had the honor of seeing the first ever public viewing of EA’s newest Medal of Honor game. While at the event, I also got to sit down with Greg Goodrich, Executive Producer for Medal of Honor. He explained some of the theory behind what went into the series’ newest installment as well as demonstrated one of the game’s levels.
The Medal of Honor team made headlines months ago by proclaiming it would be the most realistic war game ever. I reiterated that comment to Greg Goodrich, explaining how much I liked it at the time. He laughed and confidently added, “me too”. Then the real game began.
The demonstrated level took place in modern-day Afghanistan, and followed the actions of the game’s Tier 1 Operators, a real life division of the National Command Authority. These Tier 1 Operatives work directly with the “big guns” of the United States Military, typically doing the up-close-and-personal ground missions that require special training and an undercover attitude. Goodrich explained that while a small percentage of soldiers in the military (as we know it) see actual gunfire, “100% of Tier 1 Operators experience the fight firsthand.”
Electronic Arts spent months closely working with these real life heroes to get the game as authentic as possible. Goodrich also explained that there were initial difficulties in creating a working relationship with the Tier 1 Operators, since they have evolved a natural aversion to the media and any type of attention. This protective nature eventually lessened to the point that the Tier 1 Operators provided the most valuable insight into the war, and quickly became the centerpiece of the new project.
The mission itself was played by Goodrich, and began as reconnaissance – although it was clear it wouldn’t end that way. Goodrich first had to dispose of a few anti-aircraft missile turrets by placing demolition charges on them and then detonating as his teammates found cover. This opened the door (or sky, really) for his help from above, as he would be accompanied throughout the rest of the mission by a friendly gunship.
After destroying the turrets, Goodrich caught a glimpse of an enemy convoy driving up the side of the mountain in the distance. He explained that in an earlier mission, his character placed a few strobe flares on some of the enemy trucks when they were in town. Recognizing the flares, Goodrich commanded those trucks be destroyed, and his eye-in-the-sky complied.
At times, Goodrich’s fellow soldiers (given discrete nicknames such as “mother”) would give him instructions on how to better complete the mission, but they were typically recommendations. For example, one suggestion was to hold fire until the enemies bunched up closer together, and then unleash an ambush. Another tip included picking off enemies at the same time with a suppressed weapon, very similar to Modern Warfare 2’s “Cliffhanger” mission. These instructions were always optional, and the mission could have been completed either way, but it was very clear that following directions would prove to be more beneficial in the end.
The mission continued with an intense battle in the town streets, typical of most modern war games, but concluded with a neat cinematic of Goodrich’s character being held at gunpoint. As the enemy raised his gun to the screen in slow motion, one of Goodrich’s teammates came to the rescue with a perfectly placed (and timed) bullet that ended our attacker’s life. The group then advanced on to parts uncharted and our demo ended.
Goodrich explained that what I had just witnessed was a game approximately 60%-70% complete, with the remaining focus being entirely on polish and touch-up. He specifically pointed out one area (the convoy explosion) where he would like a little more detail, preferably some bodies being blown out of the car. Goodrich proudly stated that EA’s goal was to have Medal of Honor playable by now, and they had proven successful.
From the time I spent with the preview of Medal of Honor, one thing was clear: the game does seem to be the most realistic approximation of war yet. Parts certainly tricked me into thinking I was playing a Modern Warfare game (which could also be a testament as to how well those were made), but there was this incredible understanding of the ugliness of war throughout the level. The undercover, any-means-necessary nature of the Tier 1 Operators fits perfectly with the game Electronic Arts set out to make. EA promised that Medal of Honor would be the most realistic war game ever, and it looks like it will deliver.
Medal of Honor will be available on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC in Fall 2010.
