Army of Two trailer features 9-11 imagery

by Justin McElroy { Sep 19th 2007 at 5:56PM }

We've got to be honest, when we heard that a new trailer for Army of Two featured imagery from the attacks of Sept. 11, we were a little nervous. After all, the last time gaming and 9-11 were mixed, the results were ... well, for fear of getting our lights punched out, let's say less than stellar. But after watching this trailer, we were actually kind of impressed.

In the first place, it's kind of nice to see the subject being dealt with. It's something we all know about, all experienced, why shouldn't the medium deal with it? But it's still pretty gutsy to bring it up. We're not sure why that's still the way of things, but kudos to EA for stepping up. Also impressive is how it's dealt with. Images don't smack you in the face, it's never sensationalized, it's just two guys (who just happen to be mercenaries) having the same experience that millions of us did that morning. It is (dare we say it?) tasteful.

... Now, about those tampons.

Tags: 911, armyoftwo, ea, uweboll

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Djmajin @ Sep 19th 2007 6:04PM

damn this game looks good ( story wise so far)

im looking fwd to it... ea has had a nice batch as of late

skate. is great

Bauer22 @ Sep 19th 2007 6:04PM

May I be the first to say it. Too Soon.

syco @ Sep 19th 2007 6:42PM

Bah. Ignoring it won't make it not happen. It was a defining moment in the early part of this decade, it's now the late part of this decade, I think more than enough time has passed to make literary, cinematic, and interactive references to it.

I mean, how many cheesy 9/11 movies have there been now? 10? 20? Why can't games be any different, especially since it's hardly the focus of the title, but rather the plot setting for the action that seems to take place in Afghanistan.

Vegnagun @ Sep 19th 2007 7:16PM

May I be the first to say it? Get over it, it was a horrible loss (I even knew a few people who died in it) and we'll never forget it. That doesn't mean that when someone brings it up we should cover our ears and hum.

Bauer22 @ Sep 20th 2007 9:04PM

Ok I too dont think its too soon I just wanted to say it before someone else does. But come on you know someone's gonna complain about this for real like Jack Thompson. They's people that dont even let their kids play Wii Sports.

WiNG @ Sep 19th 2007 6:05PM

This is like a 21st century version of Lost Vikings.

Too bad Vikings suck, and PIRATES RULE!

YAaaaarRRRRR

Word of the street(IDF-Digital Ruler). @ Sep 19th 2007 6:11PM

Yur Head shall be cut fur dat!

Seriously Lost vikings is one of the best games I played,Blizzard should bring it back.

YoRone22 @ Sep 19th 2007 7:29PM

Happy Pirate Day.

LaughingTarget @ Sep 19th 2007 8:10PM

I hope you don't feel stupid about this, but viking is pretty much Norse for pirate.

AstroZombie @ Sep 19th 2007 6:05PM

Oh, please. What is this, America's Army? Does it have a Toby Keith soundtrack? Is the final boss Osama bin Laden?

No, I take that last one back. You THINK the final boss is gonna be bin Laden, but after about 3 hours of gameplay you're suddenly redirected to Iraq where you play for 10 minutes, beat the game (OR SO YOU THINK) and then wander around on bullshit fetch quests for 20 hours or so. I bet you have to wave a goddamn flag to heal. Here's a song I wrote about it:

FUCK. THAT.

had2comment @ Sep 19th 2007 10:05PM

Very funny comment :)

Gary @ Sep 20th 2007 7:34AM

A++++++ WOULD READ AGAIN

root @ Sep 19th 2007 6:05PM

wtf? no 9/11 footage in there...
wtf r u talking about?!

AirIntake @ Sep 19th 2007 6:10PM

The 9/11 footage was the towers burning on the TV in the background. Not sure if it's actual or recreated though.

Word of the street(IDF-Digital Ruler). @ Sep 19th 2007 6:12PM

Looks recreated from here.

Word of the street(IDF-Digital Ruler). @ Sep 19th 2007 6:09PM

I must say this game looks better every time,It must count with Local and online co-op.

Story wise I never liked plots involving terrorist unless the villians are like the ones from the James Bond Movies but I might try it.

AirIntake @ Sep 19th 2007 6:09PM

"Sept 11! OMG! Let's go shoot brown people." about sums up the video......The game looks like it will be pretty damn good though. I don't mind a bit a propaganda as long as the gameplay is good.

AstroZombie @ Sep 19th 2007 6:09PM

And no, it doesn't look that great. Sure, the textures are REALLY, REALLY detailed, but the way the characters move reminds me of ReBoot. And it's co-op, right? When you play, how do you decide which one gets to be the scarred-up badass and who's stuck playing as the fairy-boy Fatal Fury reject?

syco @ Sep 19th 2007 6:44PM

Beware the uncanny valley. If their movements were too lifelike it would look even weirder.

see: Heavenly Sword.

Jake Geiser @ Sep 19th 2007 6:13PM

It was there, but it wasn't the main focus, root.

I think AstroZombie is really taking this a tad to literally, ya know?

Here's the thing, we could try to avoid any 9/11 footage for the rest of our lives, but that still doesn't hide the fact that it happened. People are going to focus things like video games around such a large tragedy. Movies and TV are already doing that, so why is it such a big deal if Video Games are using the same footage in a game?

Its been what, six years since it happened and were STILL looking at grey area if footage is used in medium? I think thats where the true tragedy is. Not being able to say, "9/11 happened, but it is behind us now, and we are moving forward, not only as a society, but as a nation of people bound by the same basic principles."

tjlenz @ Sep 19th 2007 6:27PM

We finally have someone who understands something besides video games here. Kudos to you Jake for your comment, it is worded perfectly. If a blog had comments like this, people could actually get their point across and others could understand it. Again Kudos.

AstroZombie @ Sep 19th 2007 6:58PM

Now wait, you've got it all wrong here. I don't really want to go on some big rant to explain my reasons for posting my first comment up there, because it's something that WILL turn into a flame war about political beliefs on a thread about a fucking video game, so I probably shouldn't have said anything in the first place. I will say that I will not play a game in which I am to hunt down those whom we are LED TO BELIEVE are responsible for the 9/11 attacks. I get fed enough bullshit watching/reading the news. EA can take it's propaganda and... well, you know.

I'm not trying to be insensitive here. I've never even been to New York, so I know I can't begin to grasp the pain those people and their families have felt. All I'm saying is that this game is set to take the whole "escape from reality" thing to the next level. You can interpret that however you like.

KiraXD @ Sep 19th 2007 6:17PM

i liked it... tasteful, and it actually injected a sense of emotion into the character. i really hope this game turns out as awesome as i want it to be.

lord hobo @ Sep 19th 2007 6:19PM

Tbh 9/11 was over 6 years ago and you can't hide from it, also that was perfectly tasteful nothing over the top.

TRUTH @ Sep 19th 2007 6:21PM

Shouldn't have put that in there, you know how many people are still upset, besides how many families were lost.
Like it really had to be in there to make the game huh... EA U LOSE... Ohhh wait You Already Suck!

Phour ZwanZig @ Sep 19th 2007 6:40PM

And PPL are still upset over WWII and Vietnam, yet movies are made and ppl buy it up. So are you sayin that its wrong that so many WWII games were made..

Give it a rest..

TRUTH @ Sep 20th 2007 8:48AM

Ok, So that makes it right?????????? What are you a 12 yr old kid, like most of these nonsense post?
They Really Had to put that in the game to make the game....
Ohh yea, I'm sure you were there or had family that died there two...
Also I want to know WTF is so Tastefull about it? I bet if your mom, dad, sister or brother was there, IT WOULDN'T be very tasteful!
What do we need to talk about it for?
I think people have talked enough about, Time to move on..

tjlenz @ Sep 19th 2007 6:21PM

I think this is a welcome change to the everyday shooter. I think it is about time this subject gets pursued. The story is one we all know and it is great to see it portrayed so tastefully in a game. I think for games to be taken more seriously this kind of game is needed. Lets see where the story goes and how the gameplay is before going too far with the whole thing. But why is the focus on good a game looks before anything else? I will probably get this game just for the story and how they display the accounts of that day.

SoulBlade @ Sep 19th 2007 6:24PM

Yes!! It's Vin Diesel!!

Choi @ Sep 19th 2007 7:16PM

No way!, that's John Locke...

Jon @ Sep 19th 2007 6:26PM

What's the big deal? We have 100s of titles[1] which are based on WWII which resulted in an estimated 72 million casualties[2]. 9/11 was roughly 3,000[3].

1) http://www.mobygames.com/game-group/world-war-ii-games
2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II_casualties
3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9/11

ill trooper @ Sep 19th 2007 6:29PM

So this takes place back in the old days? Back when the government told us we could actually find Bin Laden by sending in some bad-asses? He's gonna be 'in office' longer than Bush is!

I'm looking forward to this game, I wish it was 'Army of Up To Four,' though, I've had a lot of fun on Rainbow 6 co-op.

Shmil @ Sep 19th 2007 6:29PM

man i don't want to wait another 16.3 years until we can openly talk about 9/11

phextin @ Sep 19th 2007 6:42PM

Cheese on a stick...... ^_ ^

ANGELUS @ Sep 19th 2007 6:34PM

As someone who lives in NYC and smelled burning rubble and worse for weeks after the event I think I take it a bit more personal. I don't like seeing it in any form of entertainment because as long as I live that subject will never be "entertaining" and when I see imagery from those attacks it takes me out of whatever I'm watching/playing and reminds me of the reality that was still the worst day I've had in my 29 years... I don't think the subject should be avoided. On the contrary I'd be pissed if it weren't remembered. But I don't want it opening my action videogames...

TJ0331 @ Sep 19th 2007 6:49PM

I live in New York also, and I could give a shit less if they put it in a video game. Did you see the city days later?! American flags EVERYWHERE. not only there but all around this nation. How about all the movies and every other type of media? They were the ones making money off that shit. EA throws it in for a plot point and you are upset about it. Oh well man, it happened, get over it. I lost a very close buddy of mine in there, but there is nothing you can do. If your going to piss and moan about that, fuckin start crying about WW1, WW2, and every other real event that has happened in history.

umm....hello??? @ Sep 19th 2007 6:43PM

seriously??! too soon?! it's been 6 years. time to pick up and move on...and it's done tastefully; also, at least the game doesn't star Nicholas Cage.

hate to say it, but although we'll never forget the horror that was 9/11, can't say that the country seems to remember all that much...it's moved on to the new OJ arrest, the Emmy's, $3+ gas prices, and the recent drop in the Fed rate, the MLB pennant race...oh, and the much-hyped Halo3 release next week.

AAK15 @ Sep 19th 2007 6:54PM

The best looking shots from the video:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10671104@N06/1409798320/

Wolfrider @ Sep 19th 2007 6:53PM

Yeah, way too soon. I mean the music and movie industries have yet to address 9/11 at all. And literature hasn't even considered broaching the subject.

Oh wait. Nevermind.

Anyway, I think it's fine. I was actually hoping for something a little ballsier than that but, whatever.

A question though. Is this the game that is supposed to be critical of the Bush administration and its use of PMCs? Or am I thinking of something else entirely.

Shmil @ Sep 19th 2007 7:15PM

yar i was about to rip ye a new blowhole
that was until i read the rest of your post
yarrr

KsE 79 @ Sep 19th 2007 6:54PM

After working in New York City recently and seeing tourists "pose and smile" at the Trade Center site, I dont know what to think about some people anymore. I think its ok to show the clips. The motto is NEVER FORGET, and we shouldnt. But I still cant get over people posing and smiling for pictures. To me, that is like going to a grave yard and having your picture taken while posing and smiling at peoples graves.

Anyways this important. Go watch these videos. If you havent laughed all day you are over due and you will laugh. These are a bit funny - just copy the links and paste

youtube.com/watch?v=pDpB8_9kxuc

youtube.com/watch?v=ssMdjvcQe38

HotShotX @ Sep 19th 2007 7:00PM

Tastefully done. Looks like these guys get to do what all of us wanted to do that day.

~HotShotX

ANGELUS @ Sep 19th 2007 7:08PM

@ TJ0331

This is an gut reaction I have to what I very accurately described as the worst day of my life... If it's not that bad for you then you won't feel the way I do about it. If I were a WWII vet I would have felt the same way about a game like CoD2, but I didnt live through that... Like I said it will never be entertainment to me. But you go ahead and buy the game. Shit buy stock in EA for all I care... I don't want to be reminded of 9/11 in my videogames (which I use as an escape from real life). I make no apologies for not wanting to play a videogame that reminds me of something very real and very bad.

By the by you didnt stop to ask me if I had a problem with other types of media using 9/11 imagery for entertainment purposes. I do.

Ratchet the Lombax @ Sep 19th 2007 8:14PM

ANGELUS I can see where you are coming from because I was in one of the towers when it was hit. Granted I was only on the tenth floor at the time so I was able to get out fairly quickly and my life was not in any real danger but still it was scary and traumatic. I was only there for a job interview so unlike you I didn't know anyone personally that died in the attacks. Still I totally respect your views and know that the healing process is different for everyone involved.

That being said I believe I will be buying this game as I will have some emotional connection with the events in it. After watching the trailer I connected with those guys, remembering that on that day all I wanted to do was find those responsible for what happened and kick their asses. Like you I never lived through any war (only 30) so this is the only event that has had that kind of impact on me. So having something like this that I can connect with and allows me to release anger and frustration could be a good thing.

Urza @ Sep 19th 2007 7:21PM

Very gutsy. Two thumbs up to EA for not only an original work but taking chances.

Mr BoomStick XL @ Sep 19th 2007 9:01PM

Listen, I am a NYC Police Officer who was working that day and many months after it happened. Yes, I still think about it from time to time , and yes it upsets me. But we have to remember that what was shown in this video did not make light of the horrible situation of Sept 11th, 2001. It simply refrenced what had happened and showed the military moving to take action, fictional action but action non the less. Trying to pretend that it never happened is not going to make it go away!! I know, I have 5 1/2 years left and it is a sad realality that it could happen again, I really hope that it doesn't but it something that NYC and the NYPD has to deal with.