Modern Warfare 2: Leaked level makes light of terrorist atrocities

October 28, 2009 10:51 am

Categories: Gaming News Tags: Activision, Modern Warfare 2

A new clip claiming to show gameplay from the forthcoming Modern Warfare 2 is set to cause a storm, showing scenes of terrorists entering an airport and murdering civilians indiscriminately. Questions remain, however, as to whether this is a legitimate outtake or a fake spoiler.

Watch the video and you’ll see players making their way through an airport before opening fire. It appears you have no one to shoot at other than unarmed people walking around the terminal. If the clip is indeed on the money, it’s a huge move for the games developers Infinity Ward and crosses a line which will doubtless invoke the ire of the media and anti-games commentators. Making light of terrorist atrocities such as the Mumbai attacks takes gaming to new lows which will doubtless cause many to eschew Modern Warfare 2 completely.

We’re awaiting news as to whether this is an official outtake. With Modern Warfare 2 just weeks from the shelves and already rated, it’s unlikely the offending level will be removed either.

Out 10 November | £55 | Activision (via Destructoid)

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Vince

If that is real then I’m shocked!

http://www.gravatar.com James Holland

I’ve been looking forward to Modern Warfare 2 for a while, but this has made me wonder if I really do want to play it. It made me feel uneasy. I’m not judging it, as I don’t know what context it’s presented in, but it does feel like a ploy by Infinity Ward to generate publicity.

hb

this look brilliant
you have to look at the bigger picture
he’s probably working undercover, these are some sacrifices that need to be made to take the organisation down

Zabiyaka

Absolutely! I wish the following levels will involve shooting kids in the kindergarten, plowing through a maternity ward of a hospital, burning down a school and shooting those who are trying to escape the fire – these are some sacrifices that need to be made to take the organisation down. All in a day’s work of a CIA undercover agent!

Kaleidascope

Wow, take away the CIA part, and you’ve got Grand Theft Auto, Fable, Hitman, and so many other exceptionally popular games combined.

Have you seen the Godfather series? The Departed? Because all of this has been done before. Even more, the game isn’t making light of it, it’s a crucial plot event that sets off a third world war. Omitting this level would be the storytelling equivalent of invading Afghanistan before 9/11 even happened.

qws

These games make light of warfare as it is so whats the problem??
Ben

It’s most definitely real. I saw multiple vids on YouTube of the level (all have since been taken down). Not too worried about it though. I’m sure it will make more sense when it’s in context.
Bob

Oh yeah murdering unarmed civilians is so “brilliant”. HB, why don’t you go find your hero Osama because apparently you share the same values. This level really is a new low for IW and Activision, trying to make money off people’s simulated terrorist deaths.
adolf hitler

i think this is a very good mission. i hope that the media dont make a big deal of it because gta has people walking about as well and you can kill them. we gamers are mature enough to know wats right and wrong and its just another point of view in the game. cant wait for the game getting my prestige edition. and i have heard that you can skip that mission if you want to.
john n

Joe, why do you assume this game “makes light” of terrorism? Have you played the game? Have you examined the depicted scene within the context presented by the game developers? Did you even see the spinning CIA emblem at the end of the video, perhaps suggesting that the player is supposed to be undercover?

http://www.electricpig.co.uk Joe Minihane

Even though Activision has explained the context now, I still think this is in poor taste. The infiltration aspect, which has been confirmed, still seems a tad oblique and it’s almost as if the developers are pushing the boundaries to test the reactions.

I’ve never felt uncomfortable with games which depict violence, but the reality of this situation is too close to home for my liking. It has the atmosphere of atrocities in Mumbai. That said, I’ll reserve final judgment until I play it.

washphotog

Yes, because any kind of interactive media is only for kids and by definition makes light of whatever subject it takes on. Unlike movies, books, comics, or television shows, we should never have to think or feel uncomfortable while playing a video game. /sarcasm

“Anti-game commentators” will soon be in history’s dustbin, along with the critics who called rock’n'roll devil music and said that moving pictures could never be art. “Journalism” like this may get attention in the short term, but (if there is any justice in the world) journalists who write this schlock will soon be out of work and without an audience.

http://www.electricpig.co.uk Ben Sillis

I’ve got no beef with it, and am definitely going to give it the benefit of doubt until launch.
http://www.gravatar.com James Holland

Interesting point of view, but I fear you’d scream twice as loud if we didn’t report it. Personally, I don’t think turning a terrorist act into a playable level is particularly fun. I’ll reserve full judgement until I’ve seen it first hand, but on the surface, it doesn’t seem in great taste.

SCREAMING KINT

erm, its a game??????? get the fuck over it!!!!!!!
http://yahoo.com adrian

you people are retarted ohh im uncomfortable or this level is bad who cares its a fucking game why dont u sit there with your thumbs up ur ass and spin ur really dumb and this is why americans shoud ingest large amounts of poisen its a game unless u plan on picking up an ak 47 and shooting up an air port because i doubt you wil make it that far you kno what someone please try it it will make my day when i see an idiot try and end up on the news you can be my entertainment for the day you can tell its fake i mean unless ur in a mexican airport who is gonna roll up an elevator with guns out in the open so relax its not real and i wont happen in the USA so go fuck ur selves and in the process please go eat a peanut butter and cyonide sandwhich

http://www.gravatar.com James Holland

Wow. Quite a rant there Adrian. Why so miffed? You don’t work for Infinity Ward, do you?!

Modern Warfare 2: Leaked level makes light of terrorist atrocities

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