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MW-2Activision has responded to the leaked video of Modern Warfare 2 showing players involved in a terrorist attack at an airport. The game maker says the title “evokes terrorism atrocities” and that the level can be skipped if gamers do not wish to take part.

Speaking to Kotaku, an Activision spokesman said, “”Infinity Ward’s Modern Warfare 2 features a deep and gripping storyline in which players face off against a terrorist threat dedicated to bringing the world to the brink of collapse. The game includes a plot involving a mission carried out by a Russian villain who wants to trigger a global war”.


Modern Warfare 2: Leaked level makes light of terrorist atrocities


“In order to defeat him, the player infiltrates his inner circle. The scene is designed to evoke the atrocities of terrorism.”

While the comment explains the context of this Modern Warfare 2 storyline, it will doubtless continue to cause consternation among certain groups who believe Activision has taken its headline-grabbing title too far.

Before playing the level, Modern Warfare 2 gamers will be told that “the upcoming segment may contain disturbing elements,” letting you move onto the next level.

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

  • Stewart

    Ahh, I see what they did there. Activision included this, as they knew the mainstream American media would go balistic about this, and it will be headline news on every major US network.

    All publicity is good publicity… This will make dumb American gamers want this game even more. Me? I found the previous COD MW mediocre, and this one will likely me more of the same.

    • http://www.gravatar.com James Holland

      I really enjoyed the last MW – there were loads of neat touches. Even the “Death From Above” level was well done, although very, very close to the mark from the position of detached violence. This, however, just feels a bit morally reprehensible.

  • Sam Kieldsen

    I was sat next to someone at dinner the other day who was talking about her 13-year-old stepson playing COD4 loads and loving it. She didn’t seem bothered about the violence, and I’ve always felt that the differences between real and in-game violence should be obvious to anyone who isn’t a sociopath.

    That said, the fact that thousands of tweenagers will be cheerily mowing down a realistically-modelled airport full of unarmed civilians this Christmas Day bothers me. Whether or not Activision/Infinity Ward is trying to make an artistic statement or simply courting controversy (it’s probably a bit of both), it’s unsettling.

  • Ray

    In my opinion there are many other ways to show the atrocities of terrorism without giving the gun to the player. I just hope no sociopaths will be born from playing that level over and over again, thinking that it’s “fun”, but that’s a stretch to be realistic. It’s not difficult to predict Columbine or Mumbai massacre wannabe’s in the future caught owning a copy of the game at home. Also this game will be popularly pirated in terrorist friendly countries. Kids, small and big alike who think this is fun, just don’t get it.

  • james

    Video is now gone. Did anybody watch it?

    http://bit.ly/DeI1O

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