Exploring Bolivia In Wildlands: Accurate Or Not?

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands is a video game set in Bolivia. The game is a work of fiction, but the Bolivian government has taken issue with its portrayal of the country as a narco-state. While some players have noted that the game's version of Bolivia is not geographically accurate, others have praised its attention to detail and sense of authenticity.

The game's Bolivia is a fictional amalgamation of the real country

The Bolivia depicted in Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands is a fictional version of the real country. While the game does feature some real locations, such as the Laguna Colorada (or the Red Lagoon), the train cemetery, and the Yungas Road (known as the "Road of Death"), the in-game Bolivia is an amalgamation of different regions and ecosystems.

The game's development team, led by Benoit Martinez, spent time in Bolivia, capturing reference material and familiarising themselves with the country. They travelled thousands of miles, taking pictures, videos, and interviews to use as a database for creating the in-game world. Martinez mentioned that one of the unique features of Bolivia is the diversity of its regions, with 11 different ecosystems existing in close proximity to the Andes Mountains.

The in-game Bolivia is a fictional amalgamation, with hand-sculpted terrain, mountains, and fields. The development team used their understanding of geology and erosion to create tools that helped shape the land in realistic ways. They also paid attention to details such as soil type, altitude, and proximity to water to influence the placement of vegetation and create a varied and lush landscape.

While the game captures the beauty and diversity of the country, it does take some creative liberties. For example, the in-game Bolivia does not feature any cities, and the Spanish-speaking characters mostly speak with a Mexican accent instead of a Bolivian one. Additionally, the game's storyline, which involves a drug cartel taking control of the country, caused controversy, with the Bolivian government sending a formal complaint about the game's portrayal of the nation.

In conclusion, while the game's Bolivia draws inspiration from the real country and features some accurate locations, it is ultimately a fictional amalgamation, created to fit the game's narrative and design requirements.

Ubisoft sent four teams to different parts of Bolivia for research

Ubisoft went to great lengths to capture the essence of Bolivia in Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands. The video game publisher sent four teams to different parts of the country to research and immerse themselves in Bolivian culture and military procedures. They trained with the Bolivian army for a week in the jungle, helping to burn cocaine labs and learning about the significance of the cocoa leaf to Bolivian culture and politics.

The first-hand research experience was crucial for Ubisoft to create an authentic open-world shooter, a significant departure from the previous games in the series. The team's time in Bolivia provided valuable insights that could not have been captured through pictures alone. They learned about the vast provinces of Bolivia, such as the burnt forests of La Cruz, the swamplands of Caimanes, and the snow-capped mountains of Inca Camina.

While the game's Bolivia is fictional, it captures the beauty and complexity of the real country. The game includes areas where coca leaves are grown, such as Los Yungas and El Chapare, the salt flats, the heavily forested Orient region, and the Andean mountains with their zig-zagging roads. The game's storyline, which involves a Mexican drug cartel taking over Bolivia, is not meant to be an accurate representation of the country's complex political situation.

The controversy surrounding the game's portrayal of Bolivia, including complaints from the Bolivian government about being labelled a "narco-state," highlights the challenges of adapting sensitive real-world issues into a video game narrative. Despite the controversy, Ubisoft defended its decision, stating that the game is a "work of fiction" set in a "modern universe inspired by reality."

The game's Bolivia is much smaller than the real country

The Bolivia depicted in the video game Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands is much smaller than the actual country of Bolivia. While the game features 21 regions and 11 ecosystems, the real Bolivia is a large country with a population of around 10 million people. The game's map is not intended to be an accurate representation of Bolivia's geography, and the placement of towns and cities is fictionalised.

The game's Bolivia includes areas such as the burnt forests of La Cruz, the swamplands of Caimanes, and the snow-capped mountains of Inca Camina. These regions are filled with drug cartels, Unidad, and Kataris 26 Rebels, all fighting for control. The game's map is interactive and features a variety of missions and points of interest for players to explore.

While the game's Bolivia takes inspiration from the real country, the developers have taken creative liberties with the geography and placement of locations. The game's Bolivia is a condensed and fictionalised version of the real country, designed to fit the narrative and gameplay requirements of the game.

It's worth noting that the depiction of Bolivia in Ghost Recon: Wildlands has been the subject of controversy. The Bolivian government formally complained to the French embassy about the game, arguing that it unfairly portrays the country as being under the control of a drug cartel. Despite Ubisoft's insistence that the game is a work of fiction, the Bolivian government threatened legal action, citing the game's negative portrayal of the country.

The game's Spanish-speaking characters have Mexican accents and slang

While the game Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands is set in Bolivia, players and fans have noticed that the Spanish-speaking characters have Mexican accents and use Mexican slang. This has been a source of discussion and criticism, with some players expressing their dislike of the Mexican accent and others pointing out the inaccuracy of using Mexican accents and slang in a game set in Bolivia.

One player from Colombia commented that the voices of the characters are evidently Mexican and that the game missed an opportunity to use the right accent for Bolivia. Another player pointed out that the use of the term "pinche" is exclusively Mexican and that its use by Bolivian characters in the game is inaccurate, as it is not a part of their vocabulary.

The game's storyline involves a powerful Mexican drug cartel taking over Bolivia and turning it into a "narco-state," which may explain the presence of Mexican accents and slang. However, some players have suggested that the developers could have used Bolivian accents and slang for the Bolivian characters, even if the cartel members had Mexican accents.

It is worth noting that the regions of Bolivia depicted in the game are completely fictional, and the game has been criticised for its inaccurate portrayal of the country. Ubisoft has maintained that the game is a work of fiction and that Bolivia was chosen for its magnificent landscapes and rich culture.

The Bolivian government sent a letter of complaint about the game to France

The Bolivian government took issue with the game's portrayal of the country and sent a letter of complaint to France. The then-president, Evo Morales, was particularly upset by the game's narrative, which involves a Mexican drug cartel taking control of Bolivia and turning it into a "narco-state". While Ubisoft stressed that the game is a work of fiction, the Bolivian government felt that the storyline hit too close to home. Bolivia has a complex history with coca leaf production and drug cartels, and the in-game narrative simplified these issues.

The controversy centred around the game's depiction of Bolivia as a country under the control of a drug cartel, with the fictional government influenced by the cartel. This portrayal angered the Bolivian government, which saw it as a simplistic and negative representation of the country's complex reality. In the game, Bolivia is portrayed as the world's largest producer of cocaine, making $2 billion a week. While Bolivia is a significant producer of coca leaves, an essential component in cocaine production, the game's portrayal of the country as a "narco-state" was seen as inaccurate and damaging.

The Bolivian government's main concern was the potential impact on the country's reputation and image internationally. By connecting Bolivia with cocaine, cartels, corruption, and violence, the game risked reinforcing negative stereotypes and perceptions of the country. This could have far-reaching consequences for Bolivia's standing in the international community and its relationships with other nations. The Bolivian government felt it necessary to take a stand and defend the country's honour and integrity.

The controversy also highlighted the challenges of representing complex social and political issues in a video game format. While Ubisoft intended the game as a work of fiction, the use of a real-world setting and themes that echoed real-life events in Bolivia created a potential for misunderstanding and offence. The controversy brought to light the impact that media representations can have on public perception, especially when it comes to sensitive topics such as drug trafficking and political corruption.

The French embassy received a formal complaint from the Bolivian government, threatening legal action. While Ubisoft reaffirmed its right to create fictional works, it also acknowledged Bolivia's concerns and issued a statement emphasising that the game was not intended to represent the current reality of the country. The statement highlighted the beauty of Bolivia's landscapes and rich culture, expressing hope that players would enjoy exploring the diverse and open landscapes of the in-game world.

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