Jaqub Ajmal, a producer over at DICE, recently addressed whether Battlefield V's chat will feature a profanity filter. A tool which blocks offensive, rude, and vulgar language from appearing in chat - basically putting a muzzle on toxic players.
A fan tweeted this to Ajmal: “I couldn’t fit a lot in there but regret missing chat filter. Please let us mute individuals not just the entire chat. I like chatting at times but one racist/ign jerk makes me miss out on it because I can’t tolerate reading their garbage.” To which the game producer replied: “Totally understand that. We have added a profanity filter in Battlefield V, which will be available in the Open Beta on PC.”
The divide between developer and customer has been ever-present throughout Battlefield V's promotion. Many fans believe that the inclusion of female characters, so overtly, in a game which is set during World War II (a time when such a thing wouldn't have been feasible) was simply the wrong move by a company which prides itself on creating realistic experiences. The game's devs told fans who disagree with their decisions: “I think those people who don’t understand it, well, you have two choices: either accept it or don’t buy the game.”
It seems a similar scenario has occured yet again, as many fans took issue with Ajmal's revelation that the chat would feature a profanity filter. Responding to another poster, Ajmal noted, “No, it’s Battlefield where players are supposed to treat each other with respect in the chat. It’s actually sad that things like these are needed.”
Fans questioned whether words like "Dick", which could be somebody's name, or "ass" would feature - as one user explained: “Kinda unlikely that ‘ass’ will be included. It’ll probably be included in in-game dialogue after all. I never get tired of ‘Check your asses!’ in BF1.” But it seems they were wrong, given Ajmal's response: “Personally I think there is a difference because if in-game characters say it to each other, that is part of the fantasy, like when you watch a movie and they are cursing at each other, While the chat is actually in reality, between players.”
Do you think Battlefield V's chat should have a profanity filter? What do you think of Ajmal and his objectors' statements?
Battlefield V will release for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC on November 20th.