Last week we ran a story about a partnership between Electronic Arts and GovX for the upcoming special edition Medal of Honor: Warfighter Military Edition. 
 
Both parties have the honor of being the first to offer a special edition video game to those serving our country. We sit down with Tony Farwell, the president of GovX Inc. and discuss the program.
 
Gaming Examiner – Can you tell us a little about what GovX is?
 
Tony Farwell – GovX.com, owned and operated by GovX, Inc., is the largest online shopping destination exclusively serving verified military, law enforcement and related government personnel and their families. GovX.com offers its members special, privileged pricing on premium lifestyle products, as well as on-duty tactical gear. These deals are not accessible – or even viewable – to the general public, but rather to this deserving group.
 
Registration is absolutely free for military and government personnel to shop for action sports, outdoor and fitness equipment, apparel, on-duty tactical gear, jewelry, electronics, shoes, accessories and more, all at every day special savings from more than 70 manufacturers that have aligned themselves with the higher cause of thanking and honoring those who serve.
 

 
GovX was founded by executives who developed the Oakley’s military division which included one of the largest tactical direct-to-military Web sites. Two years ago, they formed GovX to offer a broader range of products as well as premium off-duty brands including products that would be exclusively offered to the military and law enforcement. EA’s Medal of Honor – Warfighter Military Edition is an example of such a partnership as this game will not be available to non-military purchasers and will only be available on GovX.com.
 
Furthering its commitment to support those who serve, GovX has established a give-back program, donating a portion of its proceeds to partnering military and law enforcement associations and foundations.
 
GE – How did GovX come to be involved with Electronic Arts in this promotion?
 
TF – GovX has been involved with a group of ex-Navy SEALs who help recommend and evaluate tactical gear for GovX. In the course of that relationship, we were introduced to Electronic Arts and we immediately collerborated on the development of a special, privileged edition of MOH-W.
 
GE – Medal of Honor: Warfighter is a story that’s written by real life Tier 1 Operators. As a result, it has a very heavy focus on real events. Was this one of the reasons why a partnership was struck with EA as opposed to, say, Activision with the Call of Duty series or other military shooters?
 
TF – Yes, the unique nature of this video game, it’s adaption of real life tactical operations, along with EA’s genuine desire to convey respect and recognition for the challenges and sacrifices our U.S. Armed Forces and their families face, makes it the only video game to launch a privileged Military Edition. Launching with another game would not be as powerful or meaningful; however, extending this privilege to other video games in and out of the FPS genre will, in time, make sense. We want to work with EA to create an enduring and privileged sales channel exclusively serving our military with unique editions and features. We will have additional announcements as this rolls out.
 
GE – Do you feel that since MOH: Warfighter leans towards a more realistic portrayal of military operations, that it shows a greater level of respect for our military than a more “Hollywood” styled game?
 
TF – Absolutely, this game immerses each player into a multi-dimensional plot with realistic elements of military operations, personal anguish, and a deeper understanding of honoring your country and fellow soldiers, but this is still not real war. In our view, it creates a new category of FPS video games, far above the usual shoot-em-up carnage that has heretofore populated the genre. Medal of Honor Warfighter is a gritty game that we feel gets the user far closer to understanding the meaning of being be part of the military. Not only is Medal of Honor a massively popular game franchise, it’s a more personal, plot-based game with a deep pathos and authenticity that serves to further heighten our respect for those who serve.
 
GE – Will a portion of the proceeds from MOH: Warfighter Military Edition go towards any organizations? If so, which ones?
 
TF – A portion of GovX’s proceeds from Medal of Honor Warfighter Military Edition game sales will be donated to GovX military foundation partners, including the Air Force Association and AFA Veteran Benefits Association, Marine Corps Association & Foundation, and National Association for Uniformed Services, among others. In partnership with Electronic Arts, GovX will also contribute to the Navy SEAL Foundation and Special Operations Warrior Foundation.
 
GE – Do you foresee GovX doing this sort of promotion again? What about with different game genres other than military FPS?
 
TF – Absolutely, we view this as a longer term partnership to build an enduring and privileged sales channel exclusively serving our military with unique editions and features in and out of the FPS game genre. We commissioned an independent survey to compare military video game users to their non-military peers. They play considerably more and continue to play well into much older age groups, suggesting their interest in video games, and FPS games in particular, involve other characteristics and factors that lead to disproportionate video game use and satisfaction.
 
Thank you to Tony Farwell and GovX inc. for the interview! And thank you to all those who have, and continue to serve in our armed forces! Be sure to show your support, and if you would like to check out GovX you can do so here on their official site.

18 Jun 2024 by Tony Hsieh Contact email , twitter more news Featured News, Gaming Headlines, Interviews