After being called out by a recent article in the New York Times, EA has removed links from it's Medal of Honor: Warfighter website that sent clickers to sites for weapon manufacturers Magpul, and the MacMilan Group.
The Times article claimed that game companies and weapon manufacturers have "quietly forged a mutually beneficial marketing relationship," which is fair. EA released a promotional video and press release announcing the partnerships over the summer. However, whether this is indeed a "partnership," or an attempt from EA to ensure authenticity in their games, as both McMillan and Magpul supply, and have designed weapons for the military.
EA stated it did not receive money for using McMilan or Magpul products in Warfighter.
With the New York Times article as an exception, the move seems to be a mostly unprovoked response, as no EA titles were listed during the NRA's press briefing in regards to the shooting, which blamed a "callous, corrupt and corrupting shadow industry that sells and sows violence against its own people...Through vicious violent video games, with names like Bulletstorm, Grand Theft Auto, Mortal Kombat and Splatterhouse."
Whether the move to include weapons from real weapon manufactuers is indeed a "marketing relationship," or an attempt at authenticity, EA representative Jeff Brown, "felt it was inappropriate and took the links down."
This isn't the first time controversey has hit EA and Warfighter. Not long after the game's release, Navy SEALs EA had hired as consultants were desciplined for leaking classified information. Seven were punished, receiving letters of reprimand, and their pay was suspended for two months.
Released in October, Medal of Honor: Warfighter is out now for Windows PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. A version for Nintendo's Wii U is currently in development.