MachineGames Considered Including a Genital Scene for Hitler in Wolfenstein 2

In a surprising disclosure from the developers at MachineGames, it was recently revealed that a scene featuring Adolf Hitler's genitalia was nearly included in the video game \"Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus.\" This detail emerged from a documentary series by Noclip, where senior figures from the development team discussed the creative decisions and boundaries they navigated during the game's production. While known for its audacious and dark humor, the team ultimately decided against this particular visual, citing concerns over pushing thematic limits too far.

The discussion specifically revolved around a memorable sequence in the game where the protagonist, BJ Blazkowicz, infiltrates a Nazi stronghold on Venus. This infiltration takes a bizarre turn as he auditions for a propaganda film about himself, only to discover that Hitler himself is the executive producer. The scene is noted for its intense, almost cinematic tension, reminiscent of Quentin Tarantino's style, where a visibly deteriorated Hitler lurches around, spewing paranoid theories, and even urinating on the floor—a detail that was kept in the final cut. This already shocking portrayal was almost intensified by the inclusion of full nudity.

Jens Matthies, a co-founder of MachineGames, and Jerk Gustafsson, the studio head, explained their rationale behind considering such a provocative element. Matthies described the initial thought process as wanting to make Hitler's portrayal extremely physical and grotesque, believing that showing his penis during the urination scene would further emphasize his decaying state and shock players. Gustafsson highlighted that the studio often uses dark humor to offset the grim themes of their games, and this idea was an extension of that approach. However, after consulting with a Bethesda executive, who advised against it, the team decided to omit the explicit imagery, concluding it would be 'too much' and potentially detract from the game's overall impact.

Both Matthies and Gustafsson expressed that the decision to remove the explicit content was the correct one. Matthies reflected on the importance of finding a boundary, noting that sometimes creators need to be reined in. The existing scene, even without the nudity, is already highly impactful and serves its purpose in conveying the horror and absurdity of the game's antagonist. This episode also sparked contemplation among fans and critics about the future direction of the Wolfenstein series, especially after MachineGames' recent work on the Indiana Jones franchise. Given the consistent escalation of settings and thematic elements from previous installments like \"The New Order\" to \"The New Colossus,\" the question remains how the studio will continue to push narrative and gameplay boundaries in a potential third Wolfenstein game.