Gears Of War 5 is in Quite the Interesting Situation

Exclusively Games writes:

'' The Coalition announced that Gears 5 would not include smoking of any kind. The developers behind the popular Microsoft exclusive have partnered up with Truth Initiative, which are an anti-smoking organization, to ensure no game coming forward from the studio features smoking of any kind.''

[lxeasy]

There's no denying Cigarettes are terrible for you. They destroy your teeth, lungs, skin etc... I'm cool with this partnership The Coalition has with Truth Initiative.

[2pacalypsenow]

Smoking is bad, but cutting someone in half with a chainsaw is OK...

[lxeasy]

How many people you know are cutting people in half with a chainsaw compared to people smoking cigarettes... don't worry I'll wait.

[spicelicka]

To be fair, cutting someone in half is not a pandemic addiction. Anyone who understands how things work would know that removing or adding smoking in a game would have no real impact on smoking statistics. It's just a political move to show corporate responsibility, and Rod has a personal problem with it after losing close friends.

I would call it dumb myself but I really don't care as it doesn't affect my experience at all.

[2pacalypsenow]

I've seen plenty of people being chopped in half by chainsaws.

And most people pick up cigarettes during middle/high school.

The game is for people 17+.

[TK-66]

Are you saying video games cause people to cut other people in half with a chainsaw?

If not then your analogy doesn't hold ground. It has actually been documented that media played a role in the popularization of smoking so I don't see how your chainsaw analogy is similar.

[Hedstrom]

2pacalypsenow: Its all about the pace people die ;)

[2pacalypsenow]

No, but just like video games don't cause violence, they don't cause people to smoke.

At least not in 2019

[Kumakai]

lets see... is someone more likely to be influenced by legal but terrible smoking, or to go cut ppl in half with chainsaws. #relevantcontext.

[scoot_n_loot]

You're not addicted to cutting people in half with chainsaws? Maybe it's a cultural thing but in Canada I see people cut in half all over the place. Chainsawer's leaving their dismembered half-people on sidewalks and in public parks. Thoughtless littering

[TK-66]

"they don't cause people to smoke."

It's pretty much scientific consensus that tobacco products being glammorized in media played a huge role in its promotion. You can't really disagree with that without citing multiple studies at this point.

[ravens52]

How many people do you know that started smoking because they saw it in a video game? Dont worry, Ill wait.

[bluefox755]

The game is for mature audiences. All of the defenders of this virtue signalling censorship here boggles my mind.

[Atom666]

It doesn't seem like they're including rape in the game either; should we apply the same fake concern?

Rape is bad, but cutting someone in half with a chainsaw is ok...

[darthv72]

Who knows... maybe none of the characters in this game even smoke.

So why worry about it?

[Failcube]

I don't think anyone said that's okay IRL.

But smoking is an everyday common thing. Chainsaw guns are not. Stop being a child.

[Gaming101]

For those who don't understand how addiction works, the reason watching someone else smoke doesn't make you want to smoke is because YOU AREN'T ADDICTED TO CIGARETTES. It's people who used to smoke who will be dying for another cigarette when they see other people smoking that will be affected.
For young impressionable people, it simply makes smoking cool. Ask people who smoke why they started and you will get several different responses, some of which will be because they thought it was cool, wanted to be like someone else who smoked, they were young and stupid and now they're paying for it.

[Christopher]

Bleh. Such vapid arguing.

Let's spell it out for people.

Smoking is not illegal. It is a publicly sold product to people much like alcohol, also not illegal.

Murder is illegal.

People understand the difference between legal and illegal.

People understand that pressing buttons on a controller to send intangible bullets contained within the game screen at another intangible object also contained within the game screen do not constitute murder as it's all fake. Much like actors aren't really murdering people for a movie. It's a performance that is intended to entertain.

Many people, though, do not understand the same with smoking because it is legal and it is oftentimes promoted by figures of high profile. Much like how people buy clothing brands because a star wears and promotes them.

What's that? Those people are stupid and you aren't influenced like that. Well, first of, yes, people are easily influenced via marketing. If they weren't, then marketing wouldn't exist. And, second, yeah, you are influenced. You just don't know it.

Correlating an illegal act that people understand, murder, with a legal act that people might understand but are willing to take the chances with (much like drinking alcohol, going skydiving, extreme sports, and more) is just silly and attempting to ignore why these people are likely doing what they are.

It's very likely that one or more people involved at a high level in the company had members of their family and/or friends die due to cancer obtained because of years of smoking.

[rainslacker]

@tk

I dont think killing people or cutting them in half with chainsaws has ever been glamorized. More often than not, its represented as just a self defense option.

Otherwise, a game here or there having smoking is much different than the normalization of smoking to make it seem more like it was socially acceptable...which it was for many decades.

@gaming

Won't speak about what causes people to start smoking, other than to say that peer pressure is the biggest influence

But you are right that ex smokers can easily feel the urge when seeing it on tv. I quit just over a year ago, and I still feel the urge when I see it, or even just smell cigarette smoke on a smoker in some interaction. Luckily it passes quickly, but it was rough there for a while.

For this game I never really understood why there was some moral addressing of the situation. It's not like gears ever promoted it, and it certainly wasnt known for such a thing. Great if the developer wants to talk about his experiences and not potentially promote it, but the way it was announced made it seem like it was done to appease some vocal minority, which is annoying to a lot of people nowadays.

[RangerWalk267]

Touche. I guess they are assuming the chances of someone making a habit of smoking is lower than the chance of someone cutting people in half with a chainsaw a habit. Haha

[nibblo]

So if they banned violence in the game as well you would be then be ok with the decision?

[UltraNova]

It all boils down to this, do good and dont advertise it. If the studio (or some executive) felt he didn't want to show smoking in his/her game then by all means dont add it, just don't go making a fuss about it.

One other thing, smoking depiction in one game out of say 100 and in a 17+ rated game no less is nothing in the general scheme of things. Gone are the days of Tobacco conglomerates spending billions to have media advertise cigarettes and convince people of how cool they could be if they started too.

[DJStotty]

@Christoper

"People understand the difference between legal and illegal."

And yet kids/minors play these games, and parents allow it, but yeah i see what you mean. /s

[DaveZero]

Like millions are doing such a thing compared to those who smoke.

[gamer7804]

I'm not a fan of censorship,. but this is his choice, he's managing the game, he can do whatever he likes. from a personal standpoint losing one grandfather and a father in law both to smoking, emphysema and lung cancer, cigarettes are awful for you and decrease your lifespan and impact the health of others around you.

[SublimeStylee2]

@Franwex

Clearly I'm aware of the xbones existence....but the lack of polished software made me forget. If they could release hardware with a consistent stream of software then I would purchase it! Why is that concept so hard to grasp? I have no reason to hate Microsoft, I loved original xbox and 360, I purchased xone at launch and was disappointed shortly after with the lack of 1st party titles and game cancellations like scalebound, that I was insanely hyped for. It's great to see you resort to name calling ty. If they deliver next gen I will certainly be hyped for it and support it 100%. I'm a gamer just like you, I want to play games. Hope you have a great day.

[SlagWolf]

Look up the word hypocrisy when u get a chance

[SublimeStylee2]

Wanting a gaming division from MS to produce games in order for me to purchase their hardware doesn't seem like hypocrisy to me. Rather make games that appeal to me and you have my purchase. I know it's a hard concept for you to grasp.

[roadkillers]

I'm going to team up with Phillip Morris. Please smoke Malboro because my stocks depend on it!

[franwex]

Altira is the actual company. Their stock has been a little volatile lately, but it looks like they are expanding into e cigs and will push it hard in countries that are more friendly to smoking. Maybe it is a good time to buy.

[nibblo]

Looking at all the down votes your comment is getting there are obviously a lot more angry GoW players who smoke and frequent NG4 than I thought.

[franwex]

I do not recall smoking ever being in Gears anyway...or any other video game except for Metal Gear.

[XtraTrstrL]

Yea, there's like one other person that ever smoked, other than the new character in Gears 5. The little bit they ever really showed of smoking was in the comics and stuff.

[lxeasy]

there is smoking in DMC V with a subtitle that reads Capcom does not endorse smoking during the opening Nero cut scene.

[kayoss]

Final fantasy 7 Cid smoked.

[Ricegum]

I genuinely thought that was a bit of straw.

[milohighclub]

Pretty sure drake and elana are hitting bong whilst smashing crash in 4.
First thing he does is grab a drink then some munch, the zones the fuck out mid convo. High af.

[Profchaos]

Honestly I'd take drug use over ciggies one leads to cancer the other just makes you sleepy and hungry

[Dragonscale]

The main character in Vanquish smoked. You could throw cigs from behind cover as a distraction.

[bluefox755]

I think we can deduce that precisely zero people have picked up smoking as a result of playing GoW. It's not about smoking, it's about virtue signalling.

[Atom666]

It's about a creator's personal choice. You seem to disagree with his opinion. My recommendation is to make your own game and include what you want in it.

The fact is it is you who is virtue signaling here. Freedom of expression isn't under attack by someone choosing to use their own art and creation as a platform for something they believe in, especially when it's so innocuous. No one believes you really care about artistic integrity here, so stop pretending.

The dude has creative freedom to include it in an M rated game, but chooses not to because of his personal beliefs. Get over it.

[spicelicka]

This is old news, we already had the outrage 2 months ago.

[Eamon]

Very odd decision. Isn't Gears of War an 18+ franchise? I highly doubt a character smoking in the game would have any effect on players whatsoever.

[spicelicka]

Again it's not about having effect on players, they just want to show that they support that organization.

[CDbiggen]

How lovely.

[milohighclub]

Isnt this incorrect? Didnt he lose someone from smoking, that's why it isnt in the game?

[bluefox755]

Why stop there? Why not have all games stop depicting alcohol in games? Clearly adults can't be trusted to not do exactly what they see in the video game. Virtue signaling is apparently more important than artistic integrity.

[spicelicka]

@milohighclub

Yes that's why Rod chose not to have it and went with this organization, but that doesn't make my statement incorrect. What i'm saying is the logic wasn't to start some kind of anti-smoking revolution, or he would just say "it's not in the game because I want to deter people from smoking", why would he go with this organization?

[DaDrunkenJester]

If the design creator designs the characters to not be smoking characters then so be it. It's not like smoking was ever a prominent thing in Gears. Only one character ever had a cigar and it was just in a concept art.

[SPEAKxTHExTRUTH]

I’ll take blood and gore over smoking cigarettes in a video game anyday so idgf. Just don’t mess with my good old fashion violence!!!

[ReadyPlayer22]

We're still beating this dead horse? In what Gears game has smoking ever been a focal point in the experience? Only person to ever smoke was in Gears 3 and that was Barrick at the end. Can I still chop people in half with a chainsaw? Yes? Okay then, I'm not worried.

[Hedstrom]

I dont understand why The coalition had to proclaim that Gears are gonna be smoking free. Just dont have smoking in the game and thats it! But by trying to gain some political correct points and proclaim this they made it to an issue. Now it seems as they have censured the game, even if they havent.

[monkey602]

The director and development team are just using their creative platform to show support for a cause they believe in, That has effected them personally. To absolutely no harm of the game. There's no censorship involved here.

[DaDrunkenJester]

It's because with Gears 5 they are doing tournaments, and the tournament is partnering with the anti-youth smoking organization. So it was just logical that they came out in support of each other since Gears is a non smoking game anyway.

No one announced it in any of the other Gears until now, and that was because of the situation and sponsors they are now working with. it's really not a big deal.

[JesusBuiltmyHotrod]

Gears is a dying franchise the last two sold like crap, no one cares anymore..thats the biggest issue with gears it's behind the times. Then again that's Xbox issue as a whole.

[DaDrunkenJester]

Article is super late... we are getting full on impressions launching tomorrow from last weekends press event for the campaign. This campaign is adding quite a bit and of course they want to keep it under wraps a bit more than they did with Gears 4, which basically just ruined the whole story with too much footage.

[yomfweeee]

The hell is this artist cle about. Jumping from the smoking to campaign back to smoking. Terrible writing.

[xxShadow-Shockxx]

i dont even like these games and i dont see how this is an issue, is it really that important to people to have smoking in a game

[BadElf]

Its an M rated game.
Gunna go buy some cigarettes

[Kumakai]

i hate smoking so I'm on bored. and i'd like to believe in the future ppl don't smoke anyway so i can buy into it..

[Noskypeno]

Them taking smoking out of Gears 5 is like taking hardcore furry sex out of the Lady and the Tramp movie or the Disney channel to not feature full nudity in its kids and teen shows. There's no censorship if it was never included in the first place, and the only outrage are from the people who need everything to be as hardcore as possible, like "oh yeah, my girlfriend can almost put a 10lb bowling ball up her ass just cause she wants to show she can. Some people are just disgusting and not in a cool way.

[THC CELL]

Omg if this is the future how is snake gonna get thru his laser beams.maybe he carry lynx /axe or something

[Smokehouse]

Cigarettes are great. And you don’t look like a slack jawed pansy with that bubble gum flavored e-cig.

[StarLink]

Its not in any kind of situation but you just want to make one up.

[EDKICK]

I miss when peoples critique of a game actually had to do with the content and quality of the game, you know like the gameplay mechanics, story, writing, atmosphere, characters ect.....

Now people judging a game before it comes out on the perceived politics and censorship based on the decision of a studio removing smoking from a game while not being able to remember if smoking has ever been in the franchise...

The fact that this is a "story" worth talking about leading up to the release of the game is absolutely and categorically absurd. The fact anyone will let this smoking "controversy" have an iota of influence over how they perceive the entire is frankly ridiculous.

[DaDrunkenJester]

That's the thing, you know where this "outrage" is coming from lol Any Gears fan can tell you there has never even been smoking in the series at all. There was one cigar in some concept art, but it never made it to the in game model. This isn't something new just for Gears 5, and it's not even a big deal in the slightest. Certain people are just using this to hate on MS and Gears.

[akurtz]

Gears of war taught me to smoke cigarettes: My life story.

[Rhythmattic]

Im "smoking" with a chainsaw....

[WeAreLegion]

Truth is so full of BS.

[william_cade]

This game is going to be middling. They knew they had to do something to boost sales.

[Germaximus]

That's cool. There's not enough good influence these days and it only gets worse.

[Einhander1971]

Some people smoke some don’t what’s the issue.

[lovemetal626]

its 2019 going on 2020, everyone knows the dangers of smoking, this isnt the 1950's anymore.Even my 7 year old daughter knows its bad for you. Every smoker i know personally are well aware of the dangers, they chose to do it because they like it and I dont hate them, they are grown ass adults they can do whatever they want to themselves as long as they dont hurt others.

I personally hate smoking, my dad was a chain smoker since the 80s, I got addicted to it myself in my college days, I no longer smoke anymore. The whole time i did i knew exactly what i was doing and aware of the dangers.

all this censorship is unnecessary and down right retarded in a game which has intense violence and is M rated for adults already.

look if you want to take out smoking in a kids game like Fortnite or kids movies/cartoons, i completely understand that, but if the game is friggin rated M and is for adults Only to begin with, what the hell is the point of doing this.

[Noskypeno]

Halo is an M rated game so i better see the Masterchief get some road head with some female soldiers in the warthog.

[AussieAnon]

The gaming industry is slowing going full libtard. Oh a cigar on screen, I better go smoke! Pffft

[Cmoney007]

The reviews and users playing this game should give us an idea how fun it will be. If this game really is good, then I will probably buy it. I worry that it might have more of an agenda than this.

[poleerollee]

cool

[azizlksa]

This game has lost its identity, and is becoming more friendly with all the gay rainbow skins and anti smoking thing just so that the game will be more appealing and that we dont want to offend anyone. THIS here is what destroys great franchises, and thats why we see the new Modern Warfare returning to its gritty roots and not giving a fuck of anyones opinion about it. This franchise is dead unless they return to Gears1.

[BillyG0AT]

Seems a bit ironic that they did this...I'd rather smoke a cigarette than have someone stick a chainsaw attached to a gun into my stomach and disembowell me....and then likely T-bag me afterwards

[Mithan]

Who cares. This is pointless and only a token.

[Veneno]

So this move is going to make this game a blockbuster?

[Ausbo]

There was no censorship because it was never in the game.

[Platformgamer]

sorry xbox fans, but gears 5 seems mediocre in both campaign and multiplayer modes...

[lellkay]

No smokes, Chainsaws are fine though.

[LordJamar]

Very much a nonissue and they already explained why they did the anti smokeing thing it’s really not a big deal and very few characters in gears of war actually smoked anyway maybe like 1 or 2 did lol the only people that have a problem with this are likely not gears fans and also some crazy anti sjw or something who is easily triggered by anything this topic is old news

[mark_parch]

Are we really going over all this again lol.

[XxExacutionerxX]

What about not having gun violence in the game if this game wants to a have message all of a sudden. Lol

[DaveZero]

Just have them smoke Ecigs in gears instead lol

[Profchaos]

The article raises an important question in seira when half the human race is wiped out who rolls the ciggies

[DaveZero]

@christopher- yet Alcahol is a drug and it's legal and it kills more than other safer drugs. Just like Alcahol, America had it imported by there own government, same with Rock made from cocaine. Tobacco was glorified way back through media, this world makes it's living of getting people addicted to drugs and the government's are as corrupt as a corner dope dealer or off livence selling alcahol or cigarette in how they have pushed everything in the faces of people till its become an epidemic.

I think more than anything the fact here is nothing will ever change, yet some try to help it from all being in the eye more.