#i wonder what his purpose was ? maybe a substory or something

[todayisafridaynight]

i dont mean to be mineposting all day but i just got reminded of the unused kiwami mine model and Man

[tobiasdrake]

Let's take this asshole down. Through gambling and... time travel... something. I don't know. I do not understand the plan. Halara's playing this close to their chest.

But I trust Halara and that's good enough. GO TEAM ALARM CLOCK!

...they're excusing themselves from the table. Maybe the draw is the plan? A stall for time?

Whoopsy doodle.

I've always wondered how you're supposed to do that maneuver subtly. It shows up in so many things but it's always so obvious that it's a ruse. But. Is it obvious because I already know it's a ruse? I don't know.

...is... is that the whole plan? Why? Why is that the plan? I am super confused right now. Explain, senpai.

I suppose if we need a weapon you can probably cut him really bad with those glass shards but I don't understand how that helps us right now.

But okay. I'll throw the dice. And he'll throw his loaded dice. And then--

AND THEN THE VENGEFUL SPIRIT OF HIS PAST SINS WILL ENTER THE ROOM.

IT WAS A FUCKING SIGNAL.

^_^ It was a Lucky Day miracle. Gosh, I just feel so blessed. What were the odds that his trick dice would malfunction and that guy that fell from the rooftop would miraculously return to consciousness all at the same time?

What did I tell y'all? My fortune teller was right. It's protective rainclouds and roses ALL. DAY. LONG.

Sorry friend-o but 7 beats 8 and that means I win.

This was a great plan. Halara's the best. I'm glad we got to team up with them after all. Unlike that useless Desuhiko who completely bailed on us before we came into the casino.

Okay I was shitposting but no, Fubuki sincerely doesn't realize what Desuhiko's role in this plan was. XD I generally don't like when the game goes too hard on "LOL Bimbo" for Fubuki but that line was priceless.

Look at her. Poor Fubuki.

Halara's launching straight into the post-case debrief but Fubuki's over there staring into middle distance and questioning reality right now. Anyone could secretly be Desuhiko. How long was the rooftop faller Desuhiko? What if everyone is secretly Desuhiko?

What. If. I'm. Secretly Desuhiko?

That was Lucky Day powers at work! It's like I said. Just because the fortune teller was a paid corporate shill, that doesn't mean the fortune she read can't be real. Fate works in mysterious ways! You don't know!

This is a sweet moment for Halara. We're. Just. Going to ignore that Fubuki had to reload her save a couple of times to make that happen.

It still counts. I think most gamers would agree with that. Maybe not those perma-death tryhards....

WHY ARE YOU TRYING?

I don't think Fubuki would rewind to cheat on purpose in a friendly game with her colleagues. She's not going to go, "Oh, they had a good hand. Well, I'll just hop back in time and fold so I don't lose my chips."

I do, however, think Fubuki would innocently rewind because she shouldn't have given that card away, without even realizing that it's cheating.

Halara, you've created a monster. Still, I suppose maybe I should take back what I said too. Fubuki's got a good grasp of what would be an inappropriate use of her powers in this game. Instead, the real reason Desuhiko can't take her is obvious.

Because it's her motherfucking Lucky Day, y'all!

^_^ This was a good day. I enjoyed this substory quite a bit. Fubuki is, as expected, an utter treat to play as. The rapport between Fubuki and Halara is brilliant, and I want to see the two of them team up more.

100% would play Fubuki and Kurumi team-up spinoff. 100% would play Fubuki and Halara team-up spinoff. Fubuki, Kurumi, and Halara team-up spinoff? Solid motherfucking gold.

With one case where Halara wheels a container into the room as a special weapon to deploy against their adversaries. And when they open it up, Vivia's lying in there, ready to join up with them for this one chapter.

Just one, though. Not because I don't like Vivia. I adore Vivia. But because Vivia's a character who should be used sparingly. His whole vibe is "I will not do anything for 95% of this story. But when I do get up, shit gets real."

This was great. I was so happy.

You can still see Kodaka's disrespect for the character bleeding through. Desuhiko's chapter was all about Desuhiko trying and failing to solve his case, while Halara more or less takes over Fubuki's case for her own good. Fubuki quickly becomes a supporting character in her own plot. That's not great.

But the dynamic between Fubuki and Halara is nonetheless charming enough to carry it. So I had a good time all the same.

[voltagefangirl19]

the kings smut please... *bows

I don’t know any other king besides king Eisuke so I’ll go with that xD if it’s not who you were thinking, feel free to send another ask my dear anon Masterpost Warning: smut, nsfw :v (or at least a crappy try)

~~~~~~~

It wasn’t common that Eisuke had nightmares, not anymore anyway, when he had them though, it was about his childhood and his family so it was extremely rare that he had such a bad dream about ______ like tonight. He jolted from his sleep with a thin layer of sweat covering him, his breathing was quick and superficial, and his heartbeat was faster than usual.  In his dream, someone had shot her, like she was nothing, and he was left alone. He looked beside him, where she was sleeping soundly, the despair had felt so real that he needed a proof that she wasn’t an illusion, so he hugged her, he hugged so tightly that she woke up

“Eisuke?!” She asked a little panicked 

Ahhh her warmth was exactly what he needed, he buried his face in her neck, absorbing her scent, she shivered feeling his breath in her skin, ‘more’ he thought, Eisuke wasn’t behaving like his usual self: calm, composed, dominant, but he cared about that as little as the fact that _______ had work first thing in the morning, he had to satisfied his need of her.

The king took her face and kiss her passionately, his tongue playing and caressing her’s, she was so surprised she couldn’t breathe properly; he kissed her again and again and between the heated kisses she let out little gasps and moans

“Not enough…” Ichinomiya muttered before putting himself on top of her, the bed sheets were put aside so he could see her beautiful body only covered by her cute pajamas, she had a confused yet lustful expression, Eisuke never told her but it was that desire��s glow in her eyes that made him lost his mind. “Never… do that face to other men” He said to her before he proceeded to kiss her again.

With every passing kiss and wet sounds echoing the room, Eisuke could feel how he was turning on more and more, ‘I need her even close’ there was only one way to remove the distaste the nightmare had left on him… He unbuttoned her top almost desperately, he could feel her heartbeat intensified as he kissed her neck, her little sighs and moans only making him more aroused 

“E- eisuke… w-wait” she begged, after hearing that sinful tone, he could´ve sworn that his boxers got tighter 

“No… I want you… right now” he whispered to her ear, licking her earlobe right after, taking a moan out of her 

“But…” 

“No buts” he looked at her in the eyes, she had this beautiful dreamy expression. For a second, Eisuke wondered what he would do without her, without those pure and honest eyes of her’s, without that sightly and alluring mouth of her’s, without her unconditional love…. he didn’t want to know it. Then, as if she had read the anxiety and anguish in his eyes, _________ took his face and kissed him, she? taking the initiative? that was something really rare but… ‘How much does she plan to turn me on?’ Ichinomiya thought as he blushed “Don’t blame me if you can’t walk straight tomorrow” he said with a grin, finally feeling like himself again.

He went back to her neck and kept going down, she moaned a bit louder when Eisuke kissed her breasts, he sucked a nipple as his hand caressed the other, she started squirming below him right after that, his free hand went down to her pants and down to her panty’s, he got so much delight noticing them already a little wet, well, he did know all her most sensitive spots after all; his index finger started making little circles in her humid underwear, she gasped feeling it, and bit her lip, he grew irritated, did she still feel embarassed of being heard?

Wishing to hear her sexy moans, Eisuke, skillfully slipped his index finger inside her panty and touch her clit, getting her even wetter, she suppressed the moan for a bit ‘Stubborn, oh well, is more amusing this way’ The king thought, the nightmare long forgotten. He wanted to tease her more, but his cock started to hurt a little being held in his boxers so he rushed the things, he still was longing for her sweet heat and softness after all; Eisuke strip her naked as well as himself and proceed to lower himself and have a taste of her delicious womanhood.

“Ahh… no… Eis..” her pleas got silenced by a loud moan forced out by the pleasure his tongue was providing her. Her body started shivering, rasing sightly so he could have an easy access

“Good girl” he whispered before sucking her now swollen clit, she couldn’t hold it, he was good, he was really, really good with his mouth

“Eishh… I.. can’t…” she dragged her words, not being able to concrete a decent sentence. In another time the king wouldn’t let her have an orgasm so quickly, but tonight… maybe it was the nightmare, maybe it was her pleading or her beautiful and cute face, but he felt like indulging her, he kept sucking and let his fingers to enter _________’s pussy, which was exactly what sent the last shiver needed to have her release. Her body trembled as a delicious orgasm washed her over, he looked so pleased with himself that Eisuke gave her a second or so to recover, then, he placed himself between her legs, his now fully erect dick caressing her entrance. She trembled with anticipation “Wa-wait Eisuke, I… I still haven’t pleasure you…” she said shyly but bold, on any other day, he would be very happy to let her give him a blowjob, but tonight… he wasn’t looking for his pure pleasure per se, no, what he wanted the most was to feel her, her heat, her soft skin, her tight core; he wanted to hear her and to get lost in her precious body.

“Don’t worry about that baby” she blushed at the nickname “Just relax and let me do you” his sexy grin flashed in the dim room. His cock penetrated her slower than she wanted, and she knew he was doing on purpose because he enjoyed teasing her, ________ made and unsatisfied noise and Eisuke smirk at her reaction ‘Fine as you wish’ he thought before pushing his hips forward. An electric bolt run through her body, he took her waist and start pulling it to him, he growled “_______! you… are too tight” he whispered to her ear, making her blushed. Her moans were loud, just like he liked them, and his were low and sexy

“E..isu..ke” she managed to say as she hugged his broad back with both her arms and legs 

“Tell me… what do you… want?” he as well was panting, he took the opportunity to be so close to her neck to bite her, leaving a red love mark, she moaned and her insides twitched, giving to Eisuke a sample of her pleasure, taking another sexy growl out of him, god it felt delicious being inside her!

“M…more… Faster” she sweetly asked him, it was like turn on a switch, his arousal was more than what he could stand, she was driving him insane with the amount of pleasure he was feeling. 

Eisuke indulged her desire and his pace was quicker… quicker and deeper, and while his hips were doing all the hard (and delicious job), his hands and mouth didn’t stay behind, he sucked and marked all her sensitive spots and played with her boobs, until her mouth demanded more attention, and her tongue surprised him as she played with him, with all that stimulation, it wasn’t long till both of them got their release

“Eisuke!!” she shouted his name in ecstasy, her body spasming with her orgasm 

“Fuck! _______!” He as well called her and hugged even tighter as he came inside her, marking her as his and his only. She looked at him utterly satisfied while panting, Eisuke kissed her deeply, sweeter 

“Ah… I love you Eisuke, I love you too much” her words echoing her feelings, he blushed, not expecting her beautiful, shy and sexy face and statement at all 

“That should be my line” he said as he pulled her to his chest, ________ giggled, she still didn’t know why this had happened, but it didn’t matter, she was overjoyed “I love you ________” The king said as he held his queen tightly in his arms.

~~~~~~~

Is the first smut I ever do so forgive me if it’s a little short, if you liked it or have any suggestions, feel free to send a message, I might take a while but I’ll do any request you ask me (except cheating, that is depressing and hard as fuck  ;-;)Reference: all the ‘His POV’ of this substories: Jealousy, His heart and Drunk in Love

[arplis]

Arplis - News: How Medal Of Honor: Above And Beyond Goes 'Above And Beyond’ For Veteran

s Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond is a VR experience rooted in real-life World War II history. Immersive and highly interactive, the game on its own is an enjoyable experience, but what many might not know is how positive of an impact it has for veterans and shining a truthful light on American history.  For those that may not know, the VR Medal of Honor experience from Respawn Entertainment allows players to step into the role of an agent of the Office of Strategic Services during WWII in a ravished European setting. It offers an enjoyable multiplayer experience alongside a stunningly fleshed-out single-player campaign that offers an honest representation of those moments in war not often explored; the quiet before a mission, the realization that "we're at war" that many soldiers feel in and out of moments of reality — even the easy camaraderie that comes with knowing the person beside you will defend you with their life, even when sometimes the price is just that.  I recently sat down with game director Peter Hirschmann to learn more about the game after playing through the campaign and some of the PvP. As a veteran myself, hearing how the team went 'above and beyond' for veterans and their stories, while also providing meaningful experiences meant to educate without romanticization meant more than many will ever know.  For players, they aren't just getting a game, they're also getting a documentary experience with in-depth short films diving into the stories of real World War II vets, taking them back to the places that have impacted them the most, and listening to their stories with open hearts and open ears. With the Gallery, players can unlock over 90 minutes of real-world experiences of eight surviving WWII veterans. Unlock a mission, unlock an actual piece of history, making Above and Beyond emotionally raw and more than just a game.  "The youngest combat vet from World War II is in their nineties," the director tells us, driving home the idea that first-hand accounts of what actually happened are becoming more and more distant. "The youngest is in their nineties. That means they were teenagers. Gil, who is one of our future guys, was 19. He was a 19-year-old kid on a tank. "Gil tells an amazing story about going through the Harz Mountains on a Chaffee tank. He's in the back and this little boy jumps out and stops the convoy and asks for help. They have to tell him, 'No, we can't take you with us. We're going to a battle. We're going to the next town. You need to stay here. Someone will be along soon'. They drive away and Gil talks about the haunted forlorn look in this little boy's face, just standing on the side of the road as they all rumbled down."  It was upon hearing Gil's story that the team realized that the amazing potential for education and closure if they could bring Gil back to that location. Being 93, there were concerns, but the organization Honor Flight helped make this a reality with the consent of the veterans themselves and with the upmost care. Ensuring that all involved were comfortable, cared for, and safe, the team embarked on one of many journeys explored throughout this entire process tied to Above and Beyond.  For Gil, it was going back to a camp he liberated at 19, a place that he never returned to until this documentary went into production. The team took other surviving veterans to familiar places as well, each given the opportunity to tell their story in their own way, in their own time. Sometimes even giving them a chance to tell their tales to close family members for the first time ever. The documentary houses so many incredibly powerful stories. Stories that show the friendship that endures war (and forms because of it), the losses that come with it, and the side not often seen in mainstream media: the human side. The quieter danger, the moments of reflection, and the parts of history that are a very close reality to many still with us.  One story centers around David, taking him back to a moment in time where he lost his best friend Smitty. Upon returning to that spot, he met with Smitty's family to honor a promise made when the pair entered into he war together, a promise to visit the other's family should one of them fall. David met with his family, telling them their story in a way that was incredible beyond words.  Click here to watch embedded media "When they get there, the mother, who lives there, said to him: "David, this is a hat I made for you." Throughout the rest of our time, he never takes it off. It was this floppy straw hat that she wove herself, and he ever takes it off again the entire time. It's so wonderful. After, they invite him to their home and it's hard for me to talk about it because you can get a little emotional," Hirschmann says tearfully. David, who is "the funniest guy I've ever met," continued to share his story and that of his friendship with Smitty where eventually they find his friend's grave. Out of respect, the team stood back and gave him a moment of privacy as David spoke with Smitty for the first time in decades, laying a picture of Smitty's parents on the grave, and saying his farewells.  The photo, in particular, was important because Smitty's family never visited the grave. "The mom was too distraught. They never came because back then families had a choice to either let their loved ones be buried and turned in Europe; either one of the big cemeteries in the Netherlands or in Normandy, or to be brought back and repatriated. Smitty's mom was so devastated that when it came time to make that decision, Smitty's dad was like, 'No, just let him stay resting in the Netherlands.' The mom was brokenhearted the rest of her life. So for David to go to that grave site and lay a photo of the parents was just, I mean, God, it's hard to recount." The team then took at 360 shot of the gravestone, allowing viewers a chance to witness, and be a part of, a moment of closure with David, a way to pay respect in a powerful way. That being said, the team's most important goal was to capture the emotional truth of these stories without exploiting them, so we made sure that nothing in the game was taken directly from these tales.  Click image thumbnails to view larger version                                                                                                                As a veteran that took part in operations overseas with Operation Enduring Freedom and New Dawn, there is a comraderie that is hard to explain to someone who has never served. These are people that could die, these are people that could watch you die, and everyone's survival is dependenant upon trust. That trust is paramount when building these relationships, and that trust is something that Respawn wanted to convey in the game as well. It's more than just dramatic monologues of existential crisis, it's the small moments when joking about the crap food in the chow hall, or "where did my socks go"? It's the small moments that mean just as much, and it is those small moments that are reflected not only in the game, but in between the lines of the stories being reflected in this documentary series.  Another aspect that Respawn wanted to make sure they paid special attention to is how they portrayed the war. Too many times in war games, the "bad side" is either dramaticized for flair, or romanticized for ... some other reason. There are no occult substories, no quests of endearment. This is the tale of a real war with a real enemy and while that enemy housed real human beings, the ideal that acted as a banner was dangerous, harmful, and evil.  "If you're embellishing the Nazis, if you're embellishing the third Reich, you're reading the wrong history books," says the director emphatically. "So just to make sure we're staying true to that, that's important. For players, and for us, embrace that it's a game. Then to lean into which we haven't done in one of these WWII games, lean into some bad and sad things do happen to the characters, it's all part of a bigger picture." Without falling into any inaccurate tropes, there is the underlying theme of there will be consequences. "As much as that comraderie and that love and being united in a common purpose and fighting against legitimate evil, which is what the Third Reich was, that doesn't steeple away from the fact that there is going to be a price. There are going to be consequences no matter how noble your intentions are. So again, we kept the firewall there between what the vets were telling us and what we were learning and even Colette for godsakes, who was a teenage girl, member of the resistance. There's nothing in Colette's story that transfers over except the fear of the Gestapo and how collaborators were the worst. Just getting those elements into the story without being one-to-one to the story details, but touching on these sort of through-lines. That was the goal. "We made them in parallel," he adds when talking about how the tales of these veterans inspired the game without being an exact replica. "The stories were fuel for us to make the best game possible, because if we just put it out the gallery on Steam and on Oculus store, we might get some nice marks. There might be one or two articles about, 'Oh yeah, you can watch these documentaries.' People would probably look at it as some sort of educational thing. So the game is the hook to get you in. I mean, the whole point is to have fun, but the game is there to get you in the door and to maybe trigger some empathy that, 'Oh, I do want to go hear the real thing.'" That was also a big reason behind the decision to go VR. In VR, everything is a little more real. You are picking up the gun, you are holding your hands up in surrender. You are there. This added yet another layer of complexity to not only the campaign of the videogame itself, but also to the empathetic layers of the documentary itself. Humanizing people that survived a horrific time, a time that was a reality and a cornerstone in our history. "It's all about creating empathy. If you come out the other end of it, knowing more about WWII, which is always one of our secret goals, knowing more about what happened, because it still echoes in our life today, but then really having hopefully some actual empathy for the sacrifices that these guys made. Every player today is different, but if a typical player is a 19 to 24 year old, I don't mean to stereotype, but they're hearing from the folks that were doing these things for real when they were their age. Seeing what others did at their age, knowing some of the horrors they faced, the friendships they made, and the harsh pillars of history, is hopefully a powerful connection. At the end of the day, this was created out of the hope that there will be more empathy." It was a special moment where I could share some of my own stories with the director and tell him from a place that understands how much the level of care that went into this project that means. As a veteran who has lost many friends, as a veteran that has been in positions where I was so sure I was going to die, it's easy to get lost in the more gimmicky representations of war. Does it bother me? No, not really. I'll play every Battlefield game, I'll play every Call of Duty; they're entertainment, that's what they are. But that doesn't mean that this very meaningful and purposeful representation doesn't mean an incredible amount. Everything about Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond felt real. It felt like it was coming from a place of compassion, and coming from a place of honesty. It never felt cheap, it never felt gimmicky, it didn't feel manufactured in the slightest.  When speaking with the game's director, it was easy to see that the passion for empathy and knowledge was there. This wasn't a rush to get buys or pre-orders, this wasn't a play on emotions for a more consumer-driven objective; this was love and respect and real human experience. Respawn did not use these veterans' experiences to sell a game, they used a game to tell their experiences. That nuance makes the world of difference and helps to ensure that history isn't lost, but also that it's not being retold with rose-colored glasses.  Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond is available now for HTV Vive, Valve Index, and the Oculus Rift. You can also play it with the Oculus Quest as long as a Link cable is present. You can also learn more about Honor Flight, the veteran-focused group that helped make this documentary a reality, right here. 

Arplis - News source https://arplis.com/blogs/news/how-medal-of-honor-above-and-beyond-goes-above-and-beyond-for-veteran

[arplis]

Arplis - News: How Medal Of Honor: Above And Beyond Goes 'Above And Beyond’ For Veteran

s Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond is a VR experience rooted in real-life World War II history. Immersive and highly interactive, the game on its own is an enjoyable experience, but what many might not know is how positive of an impact it has for veterans and shining a truthful light on American history.  For those that may not know, the VR Medal of Honor experience from Respawn Entertainment allows players to step into the role of an agent of the Office of Strategic Services during WWII in a ravished European setting. It offers an enjoyable multiplayer experience alongside a stunningly fleshed-out single-player campaign that offers an honest representation of those moments in war not often explored; the quiet before a mission, the realization that "we're at war" that many soldiers feel in and out of moments of reality — even the easy camaraderie that comes with knowing the person beside you will defend you with their life, even when sometimes the price is just that.  I recently sat down with game director Peter Hirschmann to learn more about the game after playing through the campaign and some of the PvP. As a veteran myself, hearing how the team went 'above and beyond' for veterans and their stories, while also providing meaningful experiences meant to educate without romanticization meant more than many will ever know.  For players, they aren't just getting a game, they're also getting a documentary experience with in-depth short films diving into the stories of real World War II vets, taking them back to the places that have impacted them the most, and listening to their stories with open hearts and open ears. With the Gallery, players can unlock over 90 minutes of real-world experiences of eight surviving WWII veterans. Unlock a mission, unlock an actual piece of history, making Above and Beyond emotionally raw and more than just a game.  "The youngest combat vet from World War II is in their nineties," the director tells us, driving home the idea that first-hand accounts of what actually happened are becoming more and more distant. "The youngest is in their nineties. That means they were teenagers. Gil, who is one of our future guys, was 19. He was a 19-year-old kid on a tank. "Gil tells an amazing story about going through the Harz Mountains on a Chaffee tank. He's in the back and this little boy jumps out and stops the convoy and asks for help. They have to tell him, 'No, we can't take you with us. We're going to a battle. We're going to the next town. You need to stay here. Someone will be along soon'. They drive away and Gil talks about the haunted forlorn look in this little boy's face, just standing on the side of the road as they all rumbled down."  It was upon hearing Gil's story that the team realized that the amazing potential for education and closure if they could bring Gil back to that location. Being 93, there were concerns, but the organization Honor Flight helped make this a reality with the consent of the veterans themselves and with the upmost care. Ensuring that all involved were comfortable, cared for, and safe, the team embarked on one of many journeys explored throughout this entire process tied to Above and Beyond.  For Gil, it was going back to a camp he liberated at 19, a place that he never returned to until this documentary went into production. The team took other surviving veterans to familiar places as well, each given the opportunity to tell their story in their own way, in their own time. Sometimes even giving them a chance to tell their tales to close family members for the first time ever. The documentary houses so many incredibly powerful stories. Stories that show the friendship that endures war (and forms because of it), the losses that come with it, and the side not often seen in mainstream media: the human side. The quieter danger, the moments of reflection, and the parts of history that are a very close reality to many still with us.  One story centers around David, taking him back to a moment in time where he lost his best friend Smitty. Upon returning to that spot, he met with Smitty's family to honor a promise made when the pair entered into he war together, a promise to visit the other's family should one of them fall. David met with his family, telling them their story in a way that was incredible beyond words.  Click here to watch embedded media "When they get there, the mother, who lives there, said to him: "David, this is a hat I made for you." Throughout the rest of our time, he never takes it off. It was this floppy straw hat that she wove herself, and he ever takes it off again the entire time. It's so wonderful. After, they invite him to their home and it's hard for me to talk about it because you can get a little emotional," Hirschmann says tearfully. David, who is "the funniest guy I've ever met," continued to share his story and that of his friendship with Smitty where eventually they find his friend's grave. Out of respect, the team stood back and gave him a moment of privacy as David spoke with Smitty for the first time in decades, laying a picture of Smitty's parents on the grave, and saying his farewells.  The photo, in particular, was important because Smitty's family never visited the grave. "The mom was too distraught. They never came because back then families had a choice to either let their loved ones be buried and turned in Europe; either one of the big cemeteries in the Netherlands or in Normandy, or to be brought back and repatriated. Smitty's mom was so devastated that when it came time to make that decision, Smitty's dad was like, 'No, just let him stay resting in the Netherlands.' The mom was brokenhearted the rest of her life. So for David to go to that grave site and lay a photo of the parents was just, I mean, God, it's hard to recount." The team then took at 360 shot of the gravestone, allowing viewers a chance to witness, and be a part of, a moment of closure with David, a way to pay respect in a powerful way. That being said, the team's most important goal was to capture the emotional truth of these stories without exploiting them, so we made sure that nothing in the game was taken directly from these tales.  Click image thumbnails to view larger version                                                                                                                As a veteran that took part in operations overseas with Operation Enduring Freedom and New Dawn, there is a comraderie that is hard to explain to someone who has never served. These are people that could die, these are people that could watch you die, and everyone's survival is dependenant upon trust. That trust is paramount when building these relationships, and that trust is something that Respawn wanted to convey in the game as well. It's more than just dramatic monologues of existential crisis, it's the small moments when joking about the crap food in the chow hall, or "where did my socks go"? It's the small moments that mean just as much, and it is those small moments that are reflected not only in the game, but in between the lines of the stories being reflected in this documentary series.  Another aspect that Respawn wanted to make sure they paid special attention to is how they portrayed the war. Too many times in war games, the "bad side" is either dramaticized for flair, or romanticized for ... some other reason. There are no occult substories, no quests of endearment. This is the tale of a real war with a real enemy and while that enemy housed real human beings, the ideal that acted as a banner was dangerous, harmful, and evil.  "If you're embellishing the Nazis, if you're embellishing the third Reich, you're reading the wrong history books," says the director emphatically. "So just to make sure we're staying true to that, that's important. For players, and for us, embrace that it's a game. Then to lean into which we haven't done in one of these WWII games, lean into some bad and sad things do happen to the characters, it's all part of a bigger picture." Without falling into any inaccurate tropes, there is the underlying theme of there will be consequences. "As much as that comraderie and that love and being united in a common purpose and fighting against legitimate evil, which is what the Third Reich was, that doesn't steeple away from the fact that there is going to be a price. There are going to be consequences no matter how noble your intentions are. So again, we kept the firewall there between what the vets were telling us and what we were learning and even Colette for godsakes, who was a teenage girl, member of the resistance. There's nothing in Colette's story that transfers over except the fear of the Gestapo and how collaborators were the worst. Just getting those elements into the story without being one-to-one to the story details, but touching on these sort of through-lines. That was the goal. "We made them in parallel," he adds when talking about how the tales of these veterans inspired the game without being an exact replica. "The stories were fuel for us to make the best game possible, because if we just put it out the gallery on Steam and on Oculus store, we might get some nice marks. There might be one or two articles about, 'Oh yeah, you can watch these documentaries.' People would probably look at it as some sort of educational thing. So the game is the hook to get you in. I mean, the whole point is to have fun, but the game is there to get you in the door and to maybe trigger some empathy that, 'Oh, I do want to go hear the real thing.'" That was also a big reason behind the decision to go VR. In VR, everything is a little more real. You are picking up the gun, you are holding your hands up in surrender. You are there. This added yet another layer of complexity to not only the campaign of the videogame itself, but also to the empathetic layers of the documentary itself. Humanizing people that survived a horrific time, a time that was a reality and a cornerstone in our history. "It's all about creating empathy. If you come out the other end of it, knowing more about WWII, which is always one of our secret goals, knowing more about what happened, because it still echoes in our life today, but then really having hopefully some actual empathy for the sacrifices that these guys made. Every player today is different, but if a typical player is a 19 to 24 year old, I don't mean to stereotype, but they're hearing from the folks that were doing these things for real when they were their age. Seeing what others did at their age, knowing some of the horrors they faced, the friendships they made, and the harsh pillars of history, is hopefully a powerful connection. At the end of the day, this was created out of the hope that there will be more empathy." It was a special moment where I could share some of my own stories with the director and tell him from a place that understands how much the level of care that went into this project that means. As a veteran who has lost many friends, as a veteran that has been in positions where I was so sure I was going to die, it's easy to get lost in the more gimmicky representations of war. Does it bother me? No, not really. I'll play every Battlefield game, I'll play every Call of Duty; they're entertainment, that's what they are. But that doesn't mean that this very meaningful and purposeful representation doesn't mean an incredible amount. Everything about Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond felt real. It felt like it was coming from a place of compassion, and coming from a place of honesty. It never felt cheap, it never felt gimmicky, it didn't feel manufactured in the slightest.  When speaking with the game's director, it was easy to see that the passion for empathy and knowledge was there. This wasn't a rush to get buys or pre-orders, this wasn't a play on emotions for a more consumer-driven objective; this was love and respect and real human experience. Respawn did not use these veterans' experiences to sell a game, they used a game to tell their experiences. That nuance makes the world of difference and helps to ensure that history isn't lost, but also that it's not being retold with rose-colored glasses.  Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond is available now for HTV Vive, Valve Index, and the Oculus Rift. You can also play it with the Oculus Quest as long as a Link cable is present. You can also learn more about Honor Flight, the veteran-focused group that helped make this documentary a reality, right here. 

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