Killing civilians in Modern Warfare 2

Media controversy alert - a leaked video of Modern Warfare 2 shows a level in which players commit a terrorist atrocity.

Expect a media storm when the mainstream press gets hold of this. This video supposedly shows a level in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 where the player guns down unarmed civilians at an airport.

The context seems to be that the player is taking on the role of Russian terrorist Makarov, but even so, we find it hard to stomach. We can't imagine the context that would make this okay.

In a time of intense media scrutiny over the content of videogames one wonders what possessed Infinity Ward and Activision to include such a sequence.

Or are we just being complete wimps? What do you make of the video?

References to other articles

Review: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (PC)
Ah the PC version, well there's nothing controversial about that...

Russia bans Modern Warfare 2 - note true
Shutting the gate after the horse has bolted.

Latest UK chart
Take a wild guess what's number one?

Related downloads

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 downloads

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Launch trailer
In stores in just a few days.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 'Infamy' trailer
Only one more month...

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 MP trailer
One minute of multiplayer action.

Comments

#1 - 27/10-2009 @ 17:39 : maniac2003

It's hard but it's not any different than shooting someone innocent as you could do in Mafia.
You play this from a perspective, it's not real-life. I don't think this game should be banned or be punished by this.

#2 - 27/10-2009 @ 19:17 : 3quilibrium

I have to agree #1. The fact that you are forced to play a terrorist and do these things is just a way of making you see what they are capable of. They kill you at the end too so that's a way of washing your hands of the affair whilst you see how unscrupulous they are. It's certainly shocking, but then so was the start of the Russian campaign in World at War and the subsequent execution of two German soldiers by you and your men.
What we have to remember is that while MW2 is tagged as a game it is not for children. Adults should have enough sense to realise this. The media in general though, will milk it for all it's worth to demonize games once again.
I must admit to being intrigued though and I want to see the whole thing in context.
Of course from a cynical standpoint the "leaking" of this video certainly won't harm sales of the game.
----Edited by user 27/10-2009 21:11

Allan Walsh.

Transfixed, but not dead.

#3 - 28/10-2009 @ 00:27 : PauloBecker

I think you're just being complete wimps =P

Seriously, watching SAW is ok, but shooting at zeroes and ones on a computer screen isn't?

Corners are as strange to americans as a small meal or a president who can spell.
-- Richard Hammond

#4 - 28/10-2009 @ 01:57 : Tucker

I can't find the video anywhere

#5 - 28/10-2009 @ 09:10 : Harry

Yes the video seems to have been taken down. Perhaps Actvision sent the special forces round.

Harry Neary
UK Editor
Coming Soon - a whole new Boomtown!

#6 - 28/10-2009 @ 10:49 : maniac2003

Found it on yourtube yesterday, also seems gone now.

#7 - 28/10-2009 @ 12:19 : Harry

Yes it looks like Activision is forcing it to be taken down wherever it appears.

Harry Neary
UK Editor
Coming Soon - a whole new Boomtown!

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