These developers werent just choosing WW2 as a setting at random, however.
Sure, there wasWolfenstein 3D, but even that was rooted in science fiction with its Mecha-Hitler final boss.
Consoles would have likely been taxed to the breaking point.
Of course, It wasnt just the technical limitations that stopped developers from going anywhere near Vietnam.
Whereas the USA was the clear hero in World War 2, that wasnt the case with Vietnam.
Using such a divisive time in our history would not work.
Oh, just our most patriotic and ultra-American war ever Dubya Dubya Two.
World War 2 games that werent shooters had come out long beforeWolfenstein 3D.
Why all of the WW2 shooters?
Patriotism played a pivotal role in popularizing the subgenre.
Then the war in the Middle East began.
Inside the homes where those flags waved, millions of Nazis were being shot dead.
Why was World War 2 the epicenter of American retrospect?
No longer could we pinpoint our target.
World War II shooters kept our cultural fear at bay.
But like any trend or American sentiment, people just werent entertained by Uncle Sam anymore.
Not to mention the war in the Middle East had gone from America, fuck yeah!
to What the fuck, America?
The lens under which war was examined changed from nationalistic to analytic and critical.
People wanted commentary something a little more topical than a war fought over half a century ago.
Enter 2007sCall of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.
Now, with next-gen consoles in our homes, we are looking for something new.
Yes for many reasons.
There isnt anything inherently wrong with playing old games.
Gaming has come a long way since some of the best World War 2 shooters came out.
Borderlandsshowed us that shooters andDiablocan get along just fine.
WW2 shooters should explore these new types of subgenres.
It wouldnt be just in how the games play, however, but how they look and sound.
Shooters have not just evolved on a mechanical level.
Overall video games have become much more character and story driven.
Aside fromBrothers in Arms, we have never really been given a character and story driven WW2 shooter.
There are countless opportunities for developers to make this happen.
No longer are things just old or just new.
We are just as anxious to look back as we are to move forward.
What about the American Revolution?
There are so many unexplored wars with so many untold stories.
Not going back to visit them could be missed opportunities.
In this case, World War 2 is that innovation.
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