"Wehrmacht"? Really?

[Magnifico]

I just noticed that the Industrial Age unique German shock infantry is called "Wehrmacht". That term was only used to refer to the German army during the Nazi period. During WWI, the period ostensibly corresponding to the IA, the German army as a whole was called the "Deutsches Heer". The use of the Nazi name makes me a little queasy. I realize that this game is (very loosely!) historical, but that doesn't cut much ice in this case, where the term doesn't fit the historical period in question in the first place.

The WWI German army did pioneer the use of assault infantry, using specially trained assault troops they called "Stoßtruppen" or "Sturmtruppen".Why not use that instead? The former might work better, since it's less likely to bring Star Wars to mind.

For what it's worth, even when we get to the Global Age, I still don't think "Wehrmacht" would be a good name to use. You wouldn't call a Space Age German soldier a "Bundeswehr", would you? My suggestion would be "Panzergrenadier". They were (and are - the term is still used in the contemporary German army) mechanized or motorized infantry, transported to battle in motor vehicles (usually trucks but sometimes halftracks).

 

[Brand Marrow]

I would also appreciate removal of any nazi references. I like the german nation abilities, but any nazi names are definitely offensive.

 

[Wicked Odie]

The past is the past, what happened happened, there is nothing we can do to change it. Why does a name make you uneasy? It's just that, a name. Nobody is defending what happen. I don't understand why it's a big deal.

 

[ivan.]

I agree that calling a single unit the Wehrmacht is strange but since Germany is a unique nation they need to come with a unique name to call the unit. Or else they'll face the problem the Greeks have naming everything "Companion" as if a Companion Tank was ever a thing.

Also since Industrial Age is WWI era like you said, calling them Wehrmacht at the moment isn't really accurate. I would've suggested either calling them 'Jagers' or 'Sturmtruppen' like you suggested

 

[ivan.]

I would also appreciate removal of any nazi references. I like the german nation abilities, but any nazi names are definitely offensive.

History isn't filled with rainbows and butterflies.
If you find the word "Wehrmacht" offensive then I suggest you don't look up DomiNations' most recent Korean advent featuring all the different nations.

 

[Mr Suplex]

I thought the same thing about the Wehrmacht name for a WWI unit. Its stupid and should have been reserved for the Global Age iteration of the unit.

Having said that, the Wehrmacht title should not be removed just because some crybabies can't handle history. That was what the German army was called (although Nexon screwed up the time period). If you want to use sissy, PC logic to argue against troop names, we will need to rename 80% of the units in this game (Tercio, Hun, Legion, Chevalier, etc)

 

[Quovatis]

I'm fine with calling it what it was (even if nazi title), but that's not the case here. The whole army was called the wehrmacht, not a single kind of unit. It should be changed.

 

[Ravenlord]

I just noticed that the Industrial Age unique German shock infantry is called "Wehrmacht". That term was only used to refer to the German army during the Nazi period. During WWI, the period ostensibly corresponding to the IA, the German army as a whole was called the "Deutsches Heer". The use of the Nazi name makes me a little queasy. I realize that this game is (very loosely!) historical, but that doesn't cut much ice in this case, where the term doesn't fit the historical period in question in the first place.

Actually Magnifico, the term Wehrmacht referred to the German armed forces as a whole: land army (Heer), air force (Luftwaffe) and navy (Kriegsmarine). However, this game is just a game - I don't think we need a post on the subject of whether or not Nazi references are offensive - FFS!

C'mon people - lighten up! Political correctness is killing independent thought and speech - and taking it to this level over a game is ..... well, just sad. in my opinion. But, it's only my opinion.

Besides, we can't use Sturmtruppen - there's that other franchise that might take offense to the copyright infringement .....

 

[Ravenlord]

Offensive?! Really? Honestly, this politically correct generation and all it's delicate sensibilities .....

And before we get into a heated debate - I have family member that was imprisoned for 3 years during WW2 - in Holland. I believe in calling a spade a spade but I don't see the point in wasting energy on things like a name or word. Sure, learn from the past but at some point just move on dude ..... it's healthier.

 

[Ravenlord]

What ''Wicked'' said.

 

[FroggyKilla]

You can't just remove a portion of history. Hitler tried doing that, and look what happened? He performed a grand circlejerk at Stalingrad.

 

[FroggyKilla]

They're going to become Elite Wehrmacht (how creative) at Global Age lol.

 

[Ravenlord]

The way the world is heading I wouldn't be surprised if all references to warfare is removed from Dominations and troops end up with names along the lines of the Greek Companion Tank. Things like The Welcoming Footman or the Reconciliation Cannon or the Health & Prosperity Cart or the Assimilation Archer or the Politically Safe Gorilla. Who doesn't love Gorillas ??!

There would be no battles - just a bunch of people who turn up on your base and you welcome them and invite them to a tea party. Then when the party's over everyone gets a gift and we all go home happy - because everyone's a winner!! Dominations will change its name to MultiNations and the rss will no longer be the gold coin and chicken - it'll be the Euro and pizza.

Oh, by the way Nexon, please don't implement any of my ideas .......

 

[USA Elite Will]

Well my nation is Roman, should I not be allowed to advance to industrial age because that would be historically incorrect?

 

[FroggyKilla]

And the Town Center would be Gentrified, and there's a wonder called Safe Space. Oh, and your leader would be Anita Sarkeesian.

 

[WorldMyster]

Hmmmmm....I wonder how many so called "what's the big deal" posts would support an Erwin Rommel Great General? Just a question
Or perhaps a "Final Solution" week Special Event???

 

[Brand Marrow]

Yeah, and lets throw in a Hitler general and some gas chamber bldgs while were at it. The nazi's were not just another government and since half of my family was eliminated by the nazis, my sensitivity is not based on being PC or anti-war.

 

[Wicked Odie]

Yeah, and lets throw in a Hitler general and some gas chamber bldgs while were at it. The nazi's were not just another government and since half of my family was eliminated by the nazis, my sensitivity is not based on being PC or anti-war.

Go ahead, wouldn't make me quit the game because I dont give a poop. I come here to enjoy my time and spank some noobs. A couple words from the english language isn't going to stop me from playing a game i love.

I'm sorry for your loss, i'm sure through lineage there are a lot of people who lost people due to nazi's. But come on... If you're that butt hurt why play a historical game? You know eventually a nazi name is going to come up.

 

[Chris Coley]

Hmmmmm....I wonder how many so called "what's the big deal" posts would support an Erwin Rommel Great General? Just a question
Or perhaps a "Final Solution" week Special Event???

Not a bad point.
Never really thought about how offensive something may be when dealing with a history heavy game such as this. I love Sid Meir's Civilization franchise, and I think it was some controversy a few years ago with putting Mao and Stalin as leaders in it......
The point, I think, is to get as many people FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD to play the game. Yea, some terms may not be as offensive in the U.S. But may be controversial in other countries. I know a lot of Nazi suggested or based themes are outright banned in many European countries. I like games that give nods to history, but at the end of the day this is a business and they may have to become more sensitive if they want to be as profitable as they can be.

 

[Magnifico]

I'm going to skip the obvious straw man arguments. Let's look at what you guys are saying:

It's just a word
Exactly right. It just happens to be a word that in this context is the wrong one. All it would take to change would be altering a few character strings in a couple of database fields. They wouldn't need to create any new art assets or do any other heavy lifting. Would you go to the mat demanding they keep things the same if I were pointing out a grammatical or spelling error? Well, you say, this is different, because (1) the Nazis were part of history and/or (2) it's only a game.

Nazis are historical
Nobody here is denying that the Nazis are part of history. It's just that they don't belong to the part of history when St. Chamond tanks and triplanes were bleeding-edge tech. If you're making a game about D-Day or the Battle of the Bulge, I'd be annoyed if you didn't refer to the German armed forces the Wehrmacht. But that's not the case here. Well, you say, why get hung up on strict historical accuracy? After all, it's . . .

Only a Game
I entirely agree. And that's why gratuitous invocations of historical atrocities are out of place. This is a game about warfare, but it's not intended to be a realistic simulation. It's a light strategy game that abstracts away a great many things about history and warfare in the interest of creating engaging and enjoyable gameplay. The game revolves around matching up the strengths and weaknesses of various units and structures. That's why when troops are killed, they simply disappear. It'd be more realistic if they would lie there in pools of blood, screaming in agony and pleading for someone, anyone, to help them or at least put them out of their misery. That's what really happens in wars. In a game where the whole point was to bring home the horrible real-world consequences of warfare, rubbing the player's nose in this would be a good artistic choice. But this is not that kind of game. This game would be a lot less fun for most of us to play if these undeniably real and historical details were included.

Now, when we get to the Global Age, things get murkier. Maybe it'd be whitewashing not to include the Nazis then. But, as I said in the OP, it would still be dumb to call the German unique infantry unit "Wehrmacht" even in the Global Age. It'd be like if they added the USA as a nation and gave it a unique infantry unit called "United States Armed Forces" instead of "Ranger" or "Screaming Eagles".