6 US conflicts that would (probably) make terrible video games

When developers set out to make video games, their focus should always primarily be on crafting a fun and engaging experience. Oftentimes, you'll see video games set far in the future so that developers can place an arsenal of advanced, sci-fi weaponry in the hands of the player — because it's fun. Other times, they'll take cues from real wars and toss the player directly into the heat of a historical battle — because that's fun, too.

But, despite the fact that wars have been fought since the beginning of time, most games are set during WWII and onward, into modern conflicts. These backdrops just work better for gameplay reasons. Nobody wants to play a video game set in an era where you have march right up to and fire against an opposing formation only to spend the next two minutes reloading your rifle.

Granted, there are exceptions to this rule but, for the most part, you'd probably not want to play games set during the following conflicts.

But holy sh*t, was this mission amazing!

(Electronic Arts' Battlefield 1)

World War I

Yes, Battlefield 1 gave this war the gritty treatment that it deserved and was one of the funnest games of 2016, but the multiplayer didn't have anywhere near the same feel as the single-player campaign.

If the game really wanted to bring WWI to gaming, everything about the game would feel like the tutorial. It'd be dark, dirty, your weapons would barely work, and you'd probably not make it out alive.

There's a good reason the last good game from this era was made in 1997.

(Sierra Entertainment's Civil War Generals 2)

The American Civil War

Every video game set during the American Civil War is a strategy game that places you in the shoes of a general, overlooking the chaos.

Playing as a boots-on-ground soldier simply couldn't be fun, given the technology and tactics of the time — unless you broke away and did some guerrilla warfare. Now take into account the emotional grief of brothers literally fighting brothers over ideological differences... On second thought, most of us already have fun beating our little brothers at any video game...

(National Archives)

American involvement in the Russian Civil War

Imagine a game where you just finished playing something amazing, like Battlefield 1's single-player campaign, and then you're told that you can't set down the controller until you go help the Russian Czar. No one cares that you're there and the developers probably wouldn't send you any support either.

You'd spend the entire game in a downward spiral as more and more Russians join the Red Army until you eventually rage quit.

At least the mission where you blast Bruce Springsteen to piss off Noriega would be fun.

(National Archives)

Operation Just Cause

Funnily enough, there's already a video game series called Just Cause and they're great! The only thing is that they have absolutely nothing to do with the 42-day invasion of Panama, otherwise known as Operation Just Cause.

Realistically, the game would probably only last for two or three missions before the credits roll.

At least they made the Boston Tea Party playable.

(Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed III)

The Revolutionary War

There is no finer moment in American history than when patriots banded together to fight for their freedom from the British. It will forever ring in history books as a hard-fought, bloody victory over the finest military in its prime. It's a shame that everything about the war make for a boring video game.

Assassin's Creed III was able to transform this era into something fun by conveniently focusing on everything but the political disputes. Also, you'd more often grab a new rifle instead of spending minutes reloading.

"Get good, scrubs!"

('The Custer Fight' by Charles Marion Russell)

The Battle of Little Bighorn

So, you're one of those gamers who played Dark Souls (or, if you're old school, the original Ninja Gaiden) and thought it was for casuals? Okay, I got you. Imagine playing a game where you're fighting in Custer's Last Stand.

Good luck trying to make it out of one the biggest military blunders without a Konami code.