British Army's Fortnite Recruitment Campaign Retreats in the Face of Gamer Backlash

This article details the kind of dystopian s--t that must have George Orwell and Philip K Dick spinning in their graves.

Will they let me dress up as Batman? How long until I respawn when they shoot me?

This happens a matter of days after the US has warned the UK army isn’t big enough.

Not a bad way to motivate career interest.

It’s a shame in this case, but I can understand the policy of not allowing this kind of stuff. It’s a quick way to potentially alienate entire countries. Not sure where the player backlash is though, couldn’t find that in your story.

Edit: I read Eurogamers initial article (always feel dirty going there) and they did highlight two people on social that complained.

Good, I’m glad that policy is there. You don’t want kids skilled at a game being brainwashed into thinking they’d be good at real life warfare. By all means recruit for an army, but targeting an impressionable young crowd is messed up.

Have these influencers been in the army so they can recommend how good it is?

I honestly would never guessed that Fortnite players would be the type of young people that would want to join the Army.

15 yrs ago i was denied entry just because i had a few scars on my arms....now i see this is happening??....what a f****ng joke 😒

Lol I find it funny that they tried using a game to recruit.

@PegasusActual93 @PegasusActual93 Not really sure what George Orwell would be spinning about. is your idea of 'dystopia' the thought of the army trying to appeal to youth? That's been a mission of armies since the dawn of warfare.

Not surprised. Fortnight is basically a vehicle to advertise other brands/franchises, so why not a military as well

Not gonna lie, if you didn't tell me that this was an ad for the British Army I would have just thought it was a Fornite ad for a new season or something.

How long will it be before the famous uncle Sam ,I WANT YOU poster, is replaced with master chief or kratos

Targeting impressionable young kids via their favourite video game strikes me as really ghoulish. Nothing new, but still.

The weird thing is how they are all staring at the camera intensely except Jonesy. Just some mild peer pressure

@CutchuSlow Not uncommon at all for militaries to try and appeal to young men using the imagery and culture of video games. It's deeply gross, but probably undeniably effective.

Boy does the world sound more and more dystopian as the days go by...

Don't forget that America tried this once as well with America's Army: Proving Ground for PlayStation. They'll try anything to get new recruits.

What a fragile group the mods are on here, you're not allowed to have even the slightest bit of criticism about Push Square. Please delete my account as I will get my news from one of the many other websites from now on.

When are militaries gonna realize that even if this sort of stuff was allowed the people they recruit are probably gonna suck or give up easy. Or won’t take it serious because they think they’ll just respawn next round?

I’m not sure why all the negativity around army recruitment. I’m sure it would do many good. Still, as I said, I understand why the publisher may not want to get involved.

Yeah people this has been going on for years militarys have school courses in middle and high schools also pretty much all industries target kids they want that traction early 🫠

Having served 6.5 years in Australian Army and now a hardcore gamer, the British Army or any Army is looking in the wrong place for recruits. Playing shooters is far more fun than being an actual soldier. It might be ok for Navy and Air Force but Army should be looking at hikers, hunters and outdoors types.

@thefourfoldroot1 Yeah indeed but do it through the proper channels not with video games which make it look like a game especially Fortnite.

Seems an odd backlash.

People may not have noticed this, but other countries aren’t big on human rights and allowing freedom for marginalised groups.

In fact we have many people coming here seeking asylum as they are being persecuted just for who they were born.

Those regimes want to spread their oppression. We need people prepared to fight them off and that requires recruits and recruitment campaigns.

Putting a rainbow flag on your Facebook won’t cut it. Hate to break the news. The Army needs the exact demographic who play such games. It’s a good place to recruit. People aren’t being press ganged or conscripted.