Update 7/13: The Coalition’s Rod Fergusson has now said thatGears 5never had smokingat all, and so it wasn’t “removed” from the game at the suggestion of the Truth Initiative as previously reported. Original story follows.
PastGears of Wargames sometimes featured the characters smoking cigarettes and cigars, but that’s changing for the upcomingGears 5. Anti-tobacco organization Truth Initiative approached Turner, which is hosting the ELeague Gears Summer Series Invitational and has broadcast rights toGears 5, about removing smoking references from the game. Turner then worked with The Coalition to remove all smoking references fromGears 5, which is something that has apparently been months in the making.
While someGears of Warfans may take this is as a form of censorship, it seems as thoughThe Coalition’s Rod Fergussonis in favor of the decision. “I’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact of smoking,” he said to Variety. “It’s always been important for me to not use smoking as a narrative device, which is why we made the conscious choice to avoid highlighting or glorifying smoking inGears 5and throughout theGears of Waruniverse moving forward.” Microsoft reportedly had no hand in the decision, with The Coalition making the final decision to remove smoking fromGears 5itself.
One reason why The Coalition agreed to remove smoking fromGears 5is due to the research that shows a correlation between seeing tobacco in entertainment and actually using tobacco in real life. Even thoughGears 5will be rated M, the game is undoubtedly played by kids and teenagers, so the hope is that removing depictions of smoking will keep some young people from adopting the habit themselves.
It’s also worth pointing out that removing smoking inGears 5won’t have any actual impact on the gameplay. Cigarettes and cigars have never played a role outside of cut-scenes, unlike games likeMetal Gear Solidthat have actually used smoking as a gameplay mechanic.
A decision like this is unlikely to have a negative impact onGears 5’s sales or reception. It’s safe to say that no one is playing the games to see the characters smoke;Gears 5fans will be picking up the new title to see thenext chapter in theGears of Warfranchise’s ongoing story, as well as to play the latest iteration of its celebrated multiplayer mode.
Gears 5will launch on September 10 for PC and Xbox One.
